Veneer is a thin slice of wood, typically less than 1/40" thick, that is used in woodworking to produce flat panels such as doors, tops, and panels for cabinets, parquet floors, and parts of furniture. Veneer is typically glued onto core panels made of wood, particle board, or medium-density fiberboard to create a stable and durable surface. Plywood, for example, consists of three or more layers of veneer, each glued with its grain at right angles to adjacent layers for strength. Veneer is also used in marquetry and to replace decorative papers in wood veneer HPL.
Veneer is a flexible wood that can be used to veneer surfaces that would be difficult or impossible with hardwood lumber. The myriad choices of different wood veneers in varying cuts offer many more options than are usually available with hardwoods. Veneer can be stained and finished to suit individual taste, resulting in a beautiful wood surface with depth, color, and unique character.
Veneer is frequently used on cabinets, furniture, and floors to lessen the cost of a project without sacrificing the overall appearance. The frame and shelves of the units are made of particleboard, MDF, or plywood, but the viewable surfaces are covered with veneers, giving the appearance that the product is solid hardwood. Veneers are available in a variety of grains and finishes, and they are typically much more consistent in appearance than most hardwood products.
Veneer has other perks and purposes beyond keeping a wood panel stable. It is considered an environmentally conscious option because it maximizes the use of a log in thin little sheets, and the core is furniture-grade MDF or substrate material. In extreme cases, veneers can even be cost-saving. Beyond millwork, veneers are also required for certain special techniques, such as book-matched wood doors, which would have to be fashioned using veneers because solid wood expands and contracts as the temperature changes.
