Wood is a popular material when you need to combine functionality with aesthetics, but wood veneer may require a little more explanation. It allows you to experience the benefits of wooden cabinets whilst saving on the cost of solid hardwood.
What Is Wood Veneer?
Humans have been using variations of wood veneers since the time of the ancient Egyptians, though advances in manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution allowed increases in production and a rise in popularity. A wood veneer is made of ultra-thin slices of wood attached in layers to the outside of another material. Typically, the outside veneer will be hardwood, whilst the interior will be something like medium-density fibreboard, or MDF.
To create a veneer, a log can be “peeled” with a sharp knife whilst rotating on a lathe or sliced horizontally in what is known as a “crown cut”, or there is a more expensive method known as quarter cut and rift veneers, which wastes a lot of wood. Veneers are graded from AA or A+ to C.
What Are Its Advantages?
People choose wood veneer for their cabinet doors because it combines the benefits of hardwood and MDF. Hardwood offers increased durability and a warm, textured, naturalistic appearance with a distinctive grain, but the inner MDF will reduce the cost.
Veneers are easy to manipulate and can be used in a variety of ways, making them a versatile choice. Replacement Kitchen Cabinet Doors are available in many different colours and finishes. They are also more stable than solid wood. They are less likely to warp or split due to moisture or extreme temperatures,
Another advantage is sustainability. Wood is generally thought of as a sustainable material anyway, because as long as it is responsibly sourced it is easy to grow new trees. For a veneer in particular, the fact it is layered with such thin sheets of wood means you can make more products from just one log.
Using a wood veneer for your replacement kitchen cabinet doors means you can save money whilst still ensuring a stylish and durable finish with plenty of character.
