Working with wood veneer requires different technical and practical skills compared to working with solid wood. At Mundy Veneer, we’re not just suppliers, we’re here to support you with knowledge gained from decades of experience.

This page brings together key technical considerations and best-practice guidance to help you select, install and protect veneer successfully across a wide range of applications.

Download our key Guidance Documents, and Technical Specifications below, depending on which veneer you are using, whether it’s natural, dyed, multilaminar, smoked or rough cut.

Download our Technical Recommendations

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The Importance of Testing

As a natural product, wood reacts with a host of environmental factors such as moisture, heat and light in addition to production processes.

No two project environments are the same, so whatever the application, testing a veneer in the conditions it will be installed in should be carried out. Testing criteria should include the effect of light, finishes, adhesives and balancing requirements. More details are set out below.

Testing Criteria

  • The Effect of Light

    NATURAL WOODS — Some species such as Cherry darken with time, Mahogany and other rich deep coloured woods fade and lighten and pale veneers will yellow such as Maple and other white veneers. Fading or darkening can be uneven depending on how different parts of the grain absorb colour, so areas of tighter grain may appear darker.

    TABU DYED VENEERS — Due to the latest through-dying techniques, Tabu natural wood dyed veneers are largely stable. As with natural veneers, light may have an effect. White and pale colours in particular may yellow over time. The challenge is to minimise and delay that process with the appropriate finish.

  • Finishes

    Whether lacquer, varnish or oil, the finish applied to raw veneer is an essential finishing touch. Colour will deepen and some grain features can be accentuated. Higher build finishes can reduce texture if desired.

    Your choice of finish will also affect the durability of your chosen veneer. An oiled surface can be refreshed whilst a lacquer is a stronger, permanent solution.

    A lacquer can create an effective barrier to moisture in humid environments, whilst a UV-resistant option is essential to combat the effect of light. Any finish should be tested in situ before final application.

  • Adhesives

    There are a range of adhesives used in veneering. Which one you choose will depend on the project in hand along with the processes and machinery you use.

    For traditional antiques restoration you may opt to use an animal derived glue, whilst for large-scale joinery a quick curing Formaldehyde resin glue, suitable for use with heated presses, would provide a high speed, super strong bond.

    PVA meanhiles is easier to work with and retains a degree of 'flex' preferred by some makers.

  • Balancing

    Wood continues to breathe, expanding and contracting as it absorbs moisture, long after it is harvested. Applying veneer to only one side of a substrate can cause it to warp or bow over time.

    Subject to exactly the same expansion and contraction, a backing veneer echoes this natural movement, caused by humidity and temperature changes, to stabilise a finished panel.

    A balancing veneer is typically a more economical ‘backing grade’ veneer. Pictured is a backing grade Walnut Satin.

    For specific balancing veneer recommendations (including Tabu options), please contact our team.

Need more technical help?

If you need further advice on testing criteria or would like information on recommended specialists, please get in touch with one of the team.

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