What is Wood Veneer? A Professional Guide
To understand what wood veneer is, you first have to understand the natural beauty and complexity of a tree. Wood veneer consists of paper-thin slices of natural timber—typically less than 1/40” thick—that are bonded to a stable backing material.
Unlike laminate or "photo-finish" furniture, wood veneer is 100% real wood. It offers the authentic grain, texture, and warmth of solid timber while providing superior stability and sustainability.
How Wood Veneer Sheets Are Made
Veneer is created by precisely slicing a log in specific directions to reveal different grain patterns. For example, a "Flat Cut" creates a classic cathedral look, while a "Quarter Cut" creates straight, vertical lines. By adhering these thin slices to a backer—such as 10-mil paper or 3M™ PSA peel-and-stick—we create flexible wood veneer sheets that can be applied to plywood, MDF, or existing cabinet boxes.
In this video, Oakwood Veneer expert Jay White explains the difference between raw flitch wood and the flexible sheet veneer used in modern woodworking.
Key Video Highlights:
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[00:00:32] - Visual comparison of raw flitch veneer.
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[00:01:03] - Explaining the Paper-backed option for stability.
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[00:01:33] - When to use Phenolic-backed (HPL style) veneer.
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[00:01:50] - How Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) works for refacing.
Why Use Wood Veneer Instead of Solid Wood?
There are four primary reasons why master woodworkers and designers prefer veneer over solid lumber:
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Sustainability: One high-quality log can produce significantly more surface area when sliced into veneer. This is the most eco-friendly way to use rare or slow-growing exotic species.
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Access to Rare Species: Many exotic species like Madrone Burl, Ziricote, or Tamo Ash are rarely available in solid boards large enough for furniture. Veneer makes these "visually stunning" woods accessible.
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Dimensional Stability: Solid wood expands and contracts with humidity. Because wood veneer is bonded to a stable core, it is far less likely to warp, crack, or split over time.
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Flexibility: Backed wood veneer can bend around curves and non-sharp corners. This allows for the creation of rounded reception desks, curved cabinetry, and musical instruments that would be impossible with solid wood.
Common Wood Veneer Terms to Know
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The Backer: The material on the reverse side (Paper, Phenolic, or PSA) that provides strength and ease of application.
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The Figure: The "pattern" in the wood, such as Burl, Quilted, or Curly.
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Grain Matching: The ability to line up the patterns across large architectural projects for a seamless look.
Is Wood Veneer High Quality?
There is a common misconception that veneer is "cheap." In reality, wood veneer is often used in the world’s most expensive luxury cars, private jets, and high-end musical instruments. It allows for a level of artistry and grain matching that solid wood simply cannot provide.
Ready to start your project? Oakwood Veneer offers the largest selection of backed veneer in North America. Whether you need domestic staples or rare exotics, we have the inventory and expertise to help.