It is not uncommon to see furniture made from veneer or plywood. To understand what these materials are, let’s look at each one separately.
Veneer is a thin sheet peeled from wood. The process is as follows: the log is stripped of its bark, then cut on its axis and “peeled” with a large knife. This bark is then the veneer. The thickness does not usually exceed 3 mm. Of course, this is only the beginning – the resulting sheets are later dried and graded. Veneers are used in the manufacture of furniture components, doors and parquet, but most often in the production of plywood by gluing veneers together.
Veneering is a component (e.g. a table top) that is covered with a veneer sheet. Underneath this veneer sheet there may be wood, particleboard or other material that plays a secondary role. The material and quality of the veneer is the key.
Plywood is several sheets of veneer glued together. In theory, plywood of unlimited thickness can be produced by gluing large quantities of plywood together. Unlike solid wood, plywood parts can be made in curved shapes. This also makes it possible to use them in various design elements. Due to its high durability, plywood is also more commonly used in construction.
Why choose furniture with veneers? Compared to laminate furniture, the answer is clear – a natural, safe and durable material. However, plywood and veneered furniture also have advantages over solid wood furniture. Firstly, durability – a thinner plywood shield can be more durable than a thicker solid wood board. Secondly, the visual aspect – veneered parts have a much more interesting textural pattern than solid wood. Birch plywood and veneers are popular in this respect, which have a very natural and unique texture in addition to high durability.
Birch veneers are undoubtedly popular, but there is also a strong demand for pine, alder and of course oak veneers.
