veneer

Veneer is a thin layer of material, typically wood, applied to a underlying substrate such as plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fibreboard to improve appearance and efficiency. Natural wood veneers come from a single species and are usually 0.6 to 3 millimeters thick, with most commonly used sheets around 0.6–1.5 mm. Manufactured or reconstituted veneers are made from wood fibers or layers bonded together to mimic the look of solid wood, often using less-expensive or fast-growing species.

Veneers are produced by several methods. Rotary peeling creates a continuous sheet by peeling a log on a lathe, yielding long grain runs and economical production. Slicing or straight-knife cutting produces individual sheets with grain patterns that can be selected or matched. Veneers are later cut and finished to suit panels, and can be arranged as book-matched or slip-matched surfaces to create decorative patterns.

In use, veneer serves to provide the aesthetic of expensive or rare woods on lower-cost or stable cores. It enables large panels with consistent surfaces while conserving timber. Common applications include furniture, cabinetry, doors, wall and ceiling panels, and decorative veneers on architectural interiors. Proper adhesion, finishing, and moisture management are important to prevent delamination and edge telegraphing.

Care and sustainability considerations include the choice of adhesive resins and finishes, as some systems use formaldehyde-containing glues. Veneering remains a widely used technique for achieving high-quality wood appearance with efficient material use, structural stability, and design flexibility.