Vaneers or Solid Wood?

It was in the 50’s when veneers first got a bad reputation, and it stuck ever since. The popular perception is that furniture that incorporates veneers is lower quality than solid wood pieces. Let’s see why During World War II when fine lumber was not enough to reduce the cost of production, many furniture companies created new process in making furniture from particleboard instead of solid wood. In those days, for aesthetic purposes, veneer was used on top of the particleboard. Unfortunately inadequate adhesives, used to reduce manufacturing costs, led to substandard results. This was a bad experiment that continued throughout the 60’s. Nowadays, we’ve improved our methods. Most fine furniture is made with a combination of veneers and solid wood. Solid woods and veneers are both excellent materials when constructed properly and used in the appropriate manner. If you look at the elegant antique furniture showcased in museums, you will see how expertly-crafted veneer furniture has withstood the test of time. What is veneer? Wood veneer is a thin slice of wood cut or peeled from a log. The slice can be as thin as a piece of paper or thick enough to accommodate sanding and refinishing down the road. Veneers are adhered to another wood surface and typically, the outer layer is made with the most beautiful or exotic woods. Veneer may sound like an inferior solution to enhancing a piece of furniture, but consider:

Veneer is less susceptible to climate changes, making exotic woods more adaptable
It’s light and malleable, perfect for curves and accents
Excellent for etching and fine detailing

In turn, veneers are simply a better choice when a craftsman wants to incorporate curves, reduce warping or use exotic woods. Why not use solid wood? Solid wood is essential for support posts and legs, framing, or for whenever carving is involved. This means that most if not every piece of fine furniture is comprised of at least some solid wood. Though solid wood might seem all around superior, consider the following:

Solid wood can bow and warp over time.
Temperature and humidity changes can make solid wood expand and contract, leading to splits along the grain known as “season cracks”.
Solid wood is expensive.
Solid wood is heavy.
Solid wood does not bend easily.

How else do solid woods and veneers compare to one another? Durability: Solid wood furniture will last if it is made well. Years of heavy use may lead to dents, dings or scratches, but the benefit of solid wood is that surface imperfections can be sanded out and the furniture can be refinished. On the flip side, solid wood furniture is susceptible to warping and cracking if exposed to extreme climate conditions and changes. Veneers are often used for stability on surfaces that may warp if made from solid wood. Panels, sides and fronts of cases are typically made from veneers. Veneers are very durable and malleable, as illustrated by the many pieces of antique veneered furniture that are still in use today. Value: Furniture made completely from solid wood is more expensive than furniture made from a combination of veneers and solid wood. This stands to reason, since a larger quantity of high-quality lumber is needed. In the case of exotic woods with limited availability, solid wood options may not even be available or may be so costly that very few people would consider a purchase. In the long run, solid wood has more longevity than veneer or furniture made with a combination of the two. The price comparison is subjective based on how much you really like the piece. Solid wood pieces will last longer and endure more surface blemishes. In the end, a tattered piece of solid wood furniture, that means a lot to you, can be refurbished for a fair price. Understanding the differences in these two materials is very important when deciding on your next piece of furniture. Now you have the knowledge to make an informed decision. Maybe now we can start to put to rest the idea that veneer is tacky!