Wood veneer is used to give furniture a fine wood grain appearance less expensively than using a solid piece of that wood. Wood veneers are produced in very thin, 3 mm or less, sheets. It is most often used on less valuable woods or materials in order to give them an outwardly attractive appearance. Most furniture manufacturers choose to use veneer over less expensive wood in order to cut costs. A more handsome, more expensive piece of veneer can be placed over a less expensive frame, giving the illusion of a solid wood piece. This is one of the oldest furniture manufacturing tricks in the world. Its ancient origins can be traced back to Egypt. Discoveries have been made of Egyptian furnishings and sarcophagi constructed from thin layers of wood glued together.

Some of the most expensive pieces of furniture ever made or sold have had veneer. The master craftsmen of the 18^th century all used veneer in some fashion or form. So, if it was good enough for high end antiquities and even modern furniture makers, why have artisan and craftsman-centric communities like the Shakers and the Amish forsaken using veneer in their heirloom quality pieces? One simple word explains it – that word is integrity.

Not only is there an appearance and a temptation of possible deception when applying veneers but, after a period of time even the best furniture veneers and glues begin to degrade. Expansion and contraction in varying environments can cause peeling and shrinkage. When a veneer layer pulls away from it’s under frame, it causes peeling, chipping and breakage; that may not be easily repaired.

Some of the issue with this has been avoiding by using new technology in the manufacturer of synthetic glues, a great improvement over animal glues. This has led to today’s mass furniture producers to use veneers in greater and greater quantity. Admittedly some designs, such as Modern Contemporary, require the flexibility of veneers to bring more imaginative designs. Of course the beautiful designs done with marquetry and parquetry would be impossible without veneers.

The fact remains solid wood is an unbeatable investment. Many engineered woods simply disintegrate if they are exposed to moisture, unlike solid woods. While its durability and reliability are without question, the honest fact remains that perhaps the greatest appeal of solid wood is its naturally exquisite appearance. Most people consider solid wood furniture more attractive and desirable, especially when designed and crafted by today‘s Amish craftsmen.

Tags: amish craftsmen, Amish Furniture Styles, Egypt veneer, marquetry, parquetry, Shaker, solid wood, Solid wood furniture

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 am and is filed under Adirondack, Arts and Crafts, Baby Furniture, Bedrooms, Bookcases, Cedar Chests & Trunks, Cherry Furniture, Craftsman, Dining Room Furniture, Hickory Furniture, History of Furniture Making, Lodge, Log Cabin Homes, Maple Furniture, Mission, Modern & Contemporary, Oak Furniture, Rustic Furniture, Shaker, Understanding Hardwood and Furniture Construction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.