Get “veneer wise” and beautify your interiors with “natural” finishing material!
Wonder what makes the home interiors truly unique and inspirational? It is mostly the chosen materials that contribute to the vibe and aesthetics of the space. Decorative veneer are the finest coverings that hold the power of elevating your interiors with their natural look and feel. Interior designers vouch for this premium surface material for home design to form an individualistic appeal!
Wood veneer make the best alternative to solid wood when you want to introduce a fair share of timber in your home. These decorative surfaces are an eco-conscious choice compared to synthetic laminates. Veneer are natural coverings that are added to any chosen plain surfaces like doors, furniture tops, and more!
Get to know more about veneer that will help you select the right veneer for your interiors:
What is veneer?
Veneer is a fine decorative material that amplifies the aesthetics of your home!
A veneer is a thin piece of wood (usually thinner than 3mm) that is added to the particle board or any type of manufactured wood with adhesive screws, or nails. For example, the frame or shelves of the furniture unit can be crafted using plywood or MDF, but the upper surfaces will be covered with decorative veneer. This allows for chosen surfaces to have a look and feel of solid hardwood but it is more cost-effective than real wood pieces. This finishing material is primarily added in luxury interior design projects to feature the natural and rustic appeal!
Veneer can be chosen from various grains and finishes and they feature a similar appearance compared to other hardwood products. Some expert carpenters craft the veneer on their own, while some buy them from manufacturers. Natural, designer veneer are suitable for wall panels, door surfaces, cabinet shelves, flooring, and more!
The thin layers of wood material make an eco-friendly and cost-effective option to beautify surfaces and objects. For adding that one-of-a-kind look, veneer make a highly preferred choice for interior design and decor!
History of Veneer
The ancient Egyptians used veneer on the tombs of Pharaohs for decor purposes!
Wood veneer are not new developments. They have existed since Ancient Egypt! About 4000 years ago, veneer was used to the tombs of the pharaohs for decorative purposes. The veneer was carefully created and added to the chosen material. For crafting these beautiful materials, the wood logs were imported from Phoenicia and Syria. And expert artisans could create intricate ivory and ebony patterns for the veneer.
As time passed, the creators developed advanced methods for shaving veneer, and unique sawa were used to slice off the thinnest layers of natural layers. Since this work was exclusively hand-crafted, it was a time-intensive craft and an act of love!
The Art of Veneering
Thomas Chippendale, the renowned cabinet maker crafted stunning furniture pieces with veneer as the prime surface!
The use of veneer was rare before the Middle Ages but it started gaining popularity during the Renaissance period. Veneer as decorative surfaces were preferred in Europe and in the 17th century, French woodworkers and cabinet workers were using exotic wood types like ebony, burl, etc for crafting beautiful furniture objects. The expert crafters even developed some specialized tools to add perfection to veneering!
During the Renaissance period, apart from making utilitarian objects furniture manufacturers were also starting to make beautiful accent pieces. Thomas Chippendale (1718–1779), a renowned cabinet-maker in London was famous for crafting English Rococo, Georgian, and Neoclassical styles pieces. The veneered furniture crafted by him featured a curvy design, intricate motif, and veneer as a prime surface!
Common Types of Veneer
From budget-friendly to durable options for high-traffic areas, veneer are available in various types and can be chosen as per your needs and requirements!
1. Wood Veneer
Wood veneer adds a natural look to your space!
Wood veneer as the name suggests is derived by peeling or slicing thin layers of wood from a log. Such natural veneer sheets are added to cover surfaces like walls, furniture, and cabinets. Wood veneer are available in various species like oak, walnut, cherry, and maple and these can be further elevated with chosen paints as finishings.
2. Phenolic Resin Veneer
Phenolic resin veneer can offer a natural wood grain look!
Phenolic resin veneer are crafted by infusing paper layers with phenolic resin and then made firm with heat and pressure. These veneer types are available in various colors and patterns like natural wood grain, stone pattern, and more.
3. Paper Veneer
Paper veneer makes a budget-friendly choice over natural veneer!
Paper veneer make a cost-effective alternative to natural wood veneer. These are crafted by laminating a thin paper layer to a chosen substrate like MDF, plywood, or particleboard. Paper veneer can be chosen from loads of designs, colors, and patterns.
4. Polyester Veneer
Easy-to-maintain polyester veneer are an apt choice for high-traffic areas!
Polyester veneer also known as plaster veneer are crafted by laminating a chosen layer of polyester on a substrate like MDF, plywood, or particleboard. These veneer can be selected from various colors and patterns. Compared to wood veneer polyester veneer is cost-friendly and easy to maintain, making it an apt choice for high-traffic zones.
5. PVC Veneer
PVC veneer are ideal to use in the kitchen via cabinets or flooring!
PVC veneer are created by laminating PVC layers on a substrate like MDF, plywood, and particleboard. These veneer are also available in various patterns like wood grain, metallic finishes, and more. PVC veneer are budget-friendly, require less maintenance, and are ideal to add to the kitchen and bathroom.
Tips to choose the veneer
Consider the following tips to select the best veneer for your interior requirements:
Select the best veneer that matches your requirements and choice!
Tree - Consider the source or the origin of the tree from which it is procured and ensure that it is curated from responsible forest sources (FSC certified). This will help you understand the quality of the veneer and the selection of eco-friendly products.
Type - Before buying a veneer, you must check the grade of the veneer and check for common visible defects like streaks, knots, cracks, decay, etc. Also, know the difference between a natural and man-made or reconstituted veneer.
Tone - The tone of the veneer depends on the tree species and the method by which wood logs are cut or sawn. Each tree species will typically have a unique design and tone to it and will help give a premium look to the surface onto which such veneer are added!
Thickness - Always consider the thickness of the veneer (to be added as the front surface)and the plywood (to be added at the back) to ensure the product’s durability. The more thick the veneer is, the more durable the product will be!
Textures - Veneer are available in a variety of textures including sandblast, distressed, oxidized, handpainted, etc. It provides an eye-catchy appearance to the veneered products or surfaces.
Treatment - Wood being a natural resource is given specific treatment before and after the veneer are created. The wood is scientifically and chemically treated for bondage, durability, strength, emission reduction, and termite-proof purposes. The buyer needs a better understanding of the treatment and quality.
Reasons to Choose Veneer
Premium veneer are a work of art!
For bringing a hint of nature, veneer makes the premium choice as finishing surfaces. Here are some viable reasons to select veneer for elevating the beauty of interiors:
Eco-Friendly
Veneer being natural resources is non-toxic, eco-friendly, and easily recyclable. Furniture pieces elevated with wood veneer utilize less wood than furniture crafted with real, solid wood. It helps the nature conservancy.
Highly Flexible
Wood veneer are super flexible compared to solid lumber. Quality veneer are highly adaptable to expansion or contraction formed by a change in humidity and temperature.
Lasts Longer
When maintained properly, veneered objects remain in good condition and add to the beauty of the interiors! These can last for a minimum of 15 years.
Available As Per Requirement
Veneer are easily available in different designs, patterns, colors, and more. You can select the veneer based on your preference and application requirements. Man Made or manufactured veneer can be customized as per your choice!
Work of Art
Veneer makes the finest choice to beautify walls and work just like a piece of art! Sometimes, you won’t even need wall art or painting to elevate a wall. A striking accent wall crafted with a decorative veneer can become a statement piece in your home or office!
Common Applications of Veneer
Wood veneer as a decorative covering are useful for many applications. It is also a cost-efficient solution for mimicking the natural look and feel of wood! Here are some common design elements wherein veneer is majorly preferred:
Furniture
Furniture pieces designed with veneer add a classy appeal to interiors!
Furniture is one of the most essential elements or items in interiors. Apart from the functional purposes it serves, its aesthetics matters too. For elevating the design and look of the furniture, veneer makes an ideal choice. The surfaces of the chosen furniture pieces can be beautified with natural, designer veneer that match with the chosen color palette of the home and overall interior design.
Flooring
Wood veneer is a budget-friendly choice over natural wooden flooring!
There is nothing more classy, durable, and timeless than wooden flooring. But the same can be an expensive affair too as natural wood has a hefty price tag attached to it. However, you can opt for wood veneer as it can be a budget-friendly solution and gives a beautiful natural wood look and finish.
Wall Panels
A feature wall can be formed with decorative veneer!
An accent or feature wall adds a distinctive touch to any room in your home and becomes a focal point of the same. Dyed veneer in chosen shades and textures makes the finest wall panel solutions to elevate the walls. For the classy and luxurious look of natural wood veneer is the ideal choice. The panels can be kept as it is or can be further elevated with attractive wall art or paintings.
Easy Tips to Maintain Wood Veneer
Care for the veneered surfaces to ensure their longevity!
These easy-to-follow tips will help maintain the veneered surfaces or objects like an expert.
Tip 1 - Clean the Veneered Surfaces Regularly
Furniture pieces decorated with veneer require regular dusting and cleaning. Use a slightly moist or dry cloth to wipe off the accumulated dust. You can also use wood maintainers or conditioners to keep the veneered objects in prime condition.
Tip 2- Avoid Harsh Sun Exposure
Veneered furniture is sensitive to extreme heat and can’t handle the pressure after a specific time. If veneer are treated with UV inhibitors then, color and finish of the same can resist harsh sunlight and fluorescent light.
Ideally, you should keep the veneered objects in places or corners which are cool and away from direct sunlight exposure. Light causes wooden objects to fade away its shine and become sunstruck.
Tip 3 - Usage and Durability
Veneer are available in various colors, grains, and burls. Plus these are highly durable and can last till its finishing is intact. It is the chosen finishing material that acts as a protective shield to the wood veneer. Once the finishing wears down, it gets challenging to protect the wooden veneer.
Be aware of the veneer finishing thickness to check if it's going thin and requires a redone. Most veneered objects need to be refinished, but it won't be required to be replaced if it is well-maintained!
Tip 4 - Keep Veneer Safe From Sharp Objects
Cuts, scratches, or dents; apparently all of it becomes evident on the veneered surfaces and may disrupt the look and feel of the same. That’s why it is important to keep the veneered surfaces safe and away from sharp objects. Any type of spills and splashes should be cleaned immediately with a soft cloth.
Tip 5 - Polish the Veneer and Add Protection to Finish
Maintain the wood veneer objects by applying polish and protectants to it on a timely basis. Wood or material finishing stores generally keep the veneer protectants and can offer advice and assistance about caring for the wood veneer objects. Also, you can get useful information from YouTube Videos and Pinterest. Also, a Google search can also give you easy tips to maintain the wood objects which you can easily follow at home.
Want to beautify your home or office with eye-catchy veneer? Frikly offers the finest quality veneer that can be added to interiors to elevate any surface of your choice. From natural, dyed, metallics, designer, and more; you will get the veneer of your choice here!
