Frequently Asked Questions about wood veneer

Do you have questions about wood veneer, veneer types, burl veneer, processing, gluing, or finishing? On this page, we answer the most frequently asked questions from furniture makers, interior builders, restoration specialists, and hobbyists.

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ORDER AND SHIPPING

Do I receive exactly the wood veneer shown in the photos?

Yes. We photograph each veneer bundle (flitch) individually. The photos show the top sheet from the relevant veneer flitch. Because the remaining sheets are cut consecutively from the same tree trunk, they look very similar, but the color, wood grain, and pattern may vary slightly. This is part of the natural properties of real wood.

What happens if I receive damaged wood veneer?

Even though we carefully package every order, in rare cases the wood veneer can become damaged during transit. If this happens, take clear photos of both the packaging and the damaged veneer and contact us. We will then work together to find a suitable solution.

GENERAL WOOD FINISH

What is rift-sawn veneer?

Rift-sliced veneer is cut from the tree trunk at a specific angle, resulting in a very consistent and straight wood grain pattern. Unlike flat-sliced veneer, which has a flame motif, rift-sliced veneer delivers a calm, linear aesthetic.

Especially oak veneer is often rift-sliced, as this cutting method highlights the natural wood structure without the ray flecks that are frequently visible in quarter-sawn oak. Rift-sliced veneer is widely used in modern interiors, custom furniture, wall panels, and architectural projects where a sleek, calm linear pattern is desired.

Want to learn more about flat-sliced, quarter-sawn, rift-sliced and other cutting methods? Then read our comprehensive guide From tree to shop.

Which type of wood is most suitable for furniture?

The best wood type depends on the desired appearance, application and finish. For modern furniture, oak veneer is often chosen because of its natural appearance, durability and versatility. Walnut veneer, ash veneer, maple veneer and cherry veneer are also popular choices.

For exclusive furniture and luxury interiors, special wood species are regularly used, such as palissander, Makassar ebony, zebrawood or various types of burl veneer. Because every wood species has a unique color, wood grain and pattern, the final choice is ultimately a matter of taste.

Can wood veneer be used outdoors?

Wood veneer is primarily used in furniture, interior construction and indoor projects. For outdoor applications, standard wood veneer is generally not suitable, as prolonged exposure to moisture, temperature fluctuations and UV radiation can lead to warping, discoloration or delamination of the veneer.

When wood veneer is used outdoors, a suitable substrate, moisture-resistant adhesive and a high-quality finish are essential.

What is wood veneer?

Wood veneer is a thin sheet of real wood that is cut from a tree trunk. It is used for furniture, interior construction, restoration projects, and wall finishing. Wood veneer combines the appearance of solid wood with the stability and efficiency of sheet material.

Want to learn more about wood veneer? Read our comprehensive guide What is veneer?

What is burl veneer?

Burl veneer is cut from tree deformities and burls. This creates unique patterns that are often used in luxury furniture making, exclusive interiors, and restoration projects.

What is a thick ring or a thin ring?

Thick veneer, also known as sperfineer, is significantly thicker than standard wood veneer. Thick veneer is often used on stair treads or other surfaces that need to be extra wear-resistant. Additionally, sperfineer is ideal for your laser cutter.

What is modified veneer?

Modified veneer is made from real wood that is artificially stained, pressed, and reassembled. This allows for unique colors, patterns, and designs to be created that do not occur in nature.

What is the difference between plain-sliced veneer and quarter-sawn veneer?

Flat-sawn veneer has a lively flame pattern created by the way the log is cut. Quarter-sawn veneer, by contrast, has a calmer grain with a more linear wood structure.

Read more: From tree to shop

Is wood veneer sustainable?

Yes. When manufacturing wood veneer, up to 40 times more visible wood surface area is produced from the same tree trunk than when sawing into solid planks. This allows valuable wood species to be used more efficiently.

Read more: From tree to shop

Why choose wood veneer?

Wood veneer offers the same natural appearance as solid wood, but is often more stable, more durable, and more affordable. Additionally, veneer makes it possible to use exclusive and rare wood types that are barely available or affordable in solid form.

What is the difference between veneer and solid wood?

Solid wood is made entirely of wood, while wood veneer is a thin layer of real wood that is glued to a stable base such as MDF or plywood. As a result, veneer combines the appearance of solid wood with greater stability and more efficient use of valuable wood species.

Read our comprehensive guide What is veneer?

Is veneer real wood?

Yes. Wood veneer is real wood that is cut into thin sheets from a tree trunk. Every wood species retains its natural color, wood grain, and characteristic pattern. Veneer is therefore not a plastic, foil, or wood print, but a natural product.

How accurate are the dimensions of wood veneer?

The specified dimensions of our wood veneer are always fully usable for your project. In practice, the sheets are often slightly longer or wider than the stated size. Depending on the wood species, natural cracks or uneven edges, this can vary from a few millimeters to a few extra centimeters.

Is the wood veneer treated?

No. All of our wood veneer is delivered unfinished. This means you can finish it yourself using oil, varnish, stain, hardwax oil, or other finishing products suitable for wood.

Does the wood veneer have a backing or adhesive layer?

All our wood veneer is supplied as natural veneer without fleece backing, paper backing or a self-adhesive layer.

How thick is wood veneer?

The standard thickness of wood veneer is around 0.5 mm. Most of our product range is this thickness. In addition, we also offer thick veneer (sliced veneer) that can go up to approximately 2.4 mm or more. Thick veneer is often used on stair treads or other surfaces that need to be extra wear-resistant. Additionally, sliced veneer is ideal for your laser cutter.

PROCESSING WOOD VENEER

Can wood veneer be applied to curved surfaces?

Yes. One of the great advantages of wood veneer is that it is ideally suited for curved shapes and rounded surfaces. Because veneer is much thinner than solid wood, it can be processed more easily on curved furniture, round panels, loudspeakers, counters and other custom projects.

For strongly curved shapes, a flexible substrate such as flexible MDF or flexible plywood is often used. Thin veneer types are generally easier to bend than thick veneer or sperfineer.

On what surface can I glue wood veneer?

Wood veneer can be glued to almost any stable surface, including MDF, plywood, particleboard, plastic, and even metal. The choice of the right adhesive depends on the surface and the application. For comprehensive information, we refer you to our guide on working with wood veneer.

Can wood veneer be glued onto plywood?

Yes. Plywood is a very suitable substrate for veneer. Birch plywood and poplar plywood in particular are widely used for high-quality interior projects.

What glue do I use for wood veneer?

For gluing wood veneer, various types of glue can be used, including PVA wood glue, contact cement, urea-formaldehyde glue, epoxy, and traditional animal glue. Which glue is most suitable depends on the wood species, the substrate, and the application. In our knowledge base you will find a comprehensive explanation about gluing wood veneer.

Can wood veneer be glued onto MDF?

Yes. MDF is one of the most widely used substrates for wood veneer due to its flat surface, stability, and excellent adhesion.

Can wood veneer be used for furniture?

Yes. Wood veneer is used worldwide for tables, cabinets, kitchens, wall panels, doors, and custom furniture.

Can wood veneer be oiled?

Yes. Wood veneer can be finished with oil, hardwax oil, or other wood finishes. The chosen finish affects the color, sheen, and protection of the wood.

Can wood veneer be painted?

Yes. Wood veneer can be finished with almost any varnish suitable for wood. Varnish protects the surface against moisture, dirt, and wear.

Can wood veneer be sanded?

Yes. Wood veneer can be sanded before it is finished with oil, varnish, or stain. Because veneer is thinner than solid wood, careful sanding is important to prevent sanding through it.

VENEER BUNDLES (FLITCHES) AND SELECTION

Why do sheets from the same veneer book differ from each other?

Because each sheet is cut slightly deeper from the log, the wood grain changes gradually. As a result, each sheet looks very similar to the previous one, but no single sheet is completely identical.

How many sheets are in a notebook?

A veneer book usually consists of 24 or 32 consecutive veneer sheets. This can vary depending on the wood type and supplier.

What is a veneer book?

A veneer book consists of consecutive veneer sheets cut directly next to each other from the same tree trunk. As a result, the color, wood grain, and pattern fit together beautifully.

Read more: From tree to shop

How do I order consecutive ruled pages from the same ruled notebook?

Almost all of our wood veneer is supplied from a veneer book with consecutive sheets. If you order multiple sheets or strips of the same veneer, you will receive consecutive sheets from the same veneer book unless otherwise specified. This ensures that the wood grain, color, and veneer pattern fit together seamlessly.

Storage and Maintenance

Should wood veneer be stored flat?

Yes, that would be preferable. Flat storage helps prevent warping, cracking, and unwanted stress in the veneer.

How long can wood veneer be stored?

When wood veneer is stored flat, dry, and protected from direct sunlight, it can be preserved for years without any loss of quality. Furniture with intact veneer was found in Tutankhamun’s tomb!

How do I flatten curled veneer again?

Lightly warped veneer can often be flattened again by carefully moistening it and then placing it between flat plates under pressure.

Read more: How do you process wood veneer?

Can wood veneer dry out?

Yes. If wood veneer is stored in a dry space for an extended period (multiple years), it can lose moisture and become brittle. That is why we recommend storing veneer flat and protected.

What's the best way to store wood veneer?

Wood veneer is best stored flat in a dry room with stable temperature and humidity. Veneer that is delivered rolled up should be carefully unrolled and then stored flat. Protect the veneer from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration and drying out.

Read more: From tree to shop

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