Wood Veneer, Benefits of a Veneer Coating

If you are trying to give your woodworking a more unique appearance, you may wish to consider applying a wood veneer. This refers to any thin slices of wood that are applied onto larger core panels. The thin slices of wood are generally approximately 3 mm in width, and the core panels are constructed from denser materials such as wood particle board. This helps create thin, smooth, flat surfaces for doors, tops, and panels. The technique can be used when making cabinets, parquet floors, or any other furniture in the home. 

One example of the use of wood veneer techniques that most people are familiar with is plywood. This is constructed from three or more layers of the thin slices of wood, or veneer pieces, which are glued together to create a stronger overall piece of wood. This is stronger yet more delicate at the same time, which makes it ideal for a wide variety of different woodworking techniques and applications. The same technique can be used for decorative touches, when the pieces of wood are sculpted into smaller beads or given scalloped edges. 

To create a wood veneer, the wood is peeled away from the trunk of a tree in many cases, to give it a thin and supple natural look. Another way to create this type of veneer is by thinly slicing up a larger block of wood. If you desire a more decorative grain in the wood, then you can slice through the growth rings of a tree, so that there is a spiral pattern that is created. 

Typical equipment that is used in veneer making includes rotary lathes, which turn the wood against sharp blades, or slicing machines that are used in logging, for the larger slices of wood. 

If you have decided to undertake a new woodworking project and thus are looking for a unique but durable way to make your project stand out, you can consider the decorative attributes of a thin wood veneer coating. Because this can be more easily manipulated than larger logs or pieces of wood, it can be moulded to fit furniture as well as other areas of the home, such as tight corners. To get started with this process, it is a good idea to consult with a professional who has experience with handling wood veneers in all their different uses, to give you advice or to help work out a design plan.