A Guide to Raw Veneer
Veneer is the art of applying thin layers of distinctive, decorative and often rare wood over less expensive materials. Timber is sourced from around the globe by specialist buyers with individual logs or trees selected and processed in dedicated veneer mills in Europe and the USA. The logs are sliced according to species, growth and markings to provide the optimum yield and to reveal the most beautiful grain and figure characteristics.
When looking at finished veneered creations it’s easy to forget that veneer is a totally natural product and, just as no two trees are alike, the veneer form of wood exhibits the same idiosyncratic variables in size, colour and grain that you’d expect from natural tree growth.
At Mundy Veneer, we always buy complete logs. This gives us full control over consistency and the selection of bundles which meet our exacting aesthetic and technical requirements to help us select veneer as close to your requirements as nature will allow.
Expect Variety
The beauty of veneer lies in its natural origins. It brings a unique blend of colour, grain and texture to any project. The natural variance from one veneer to another and from species to species is to be expected and, for most makers and designers, celebrated, as it brings a streak of individuality to any project.
Veneer Structure
Veneer is produced to a more or less standard thickness of 0.55mm. This allows for application to a variety of substrates in many different forms, from curved surfaces to complex inlaid or marquetry designs.
The leaf form of veneer can either be used in isolation or stitched and taped for larger format surfaces.
Other thicknesses are also available in selected species, including 0.9, 1.4 and 2.4mm for constructional applications.
The Language of Veneer
Veneer has a language of its own and understanding it is key to specifying and buying for your project.
Let us take you on a journey from forest to final veneer sheet.
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Tree
It starts with responsible harvesting and each of the veneers in our collection are subject to due diligence at source to ensure sustainable growing practices. Even with trees which meet our sustainability criteria, not every tree is suitable. In fact, only around 3% of felled trees have the required quality for veneer production.
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Log
This is the term used to describe the complete tree trunk sliced into veneer. Logs are give an individual identifier so that batches or bundles from the same tree can be purchased for increased consistency when working with large format projects. Within a log, the veneer width will vary according to the part of the tree from which it is sliced.
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Bundle
The sliced log is divided into bundles of 16 to 32 individual sheets of veneer or ‘leaves’ depending on the species. Each bundle also has an identification code along with the log source code, so that consecutive bundles can be sourced. We only sell veneer in complete bundles. The total square meterage will vary according to the veneer species.
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Leaf
A single veneer sheet or ‘leaf’ is only 0.55mm thick. The leaves are bound consecutively as they are sliced into bundles. Dimensions can vary even across leaves within the same bundle and the grain patterns can gently migrate from the top leaf to the bottom, following the tree’s natural growth pattern.
Need Help Finding Your Perfect Veneer?
Browse our veneer collection, search by species, grain, colour or specialist veneer and order samples for a closer look. For inspiration, take a look through our finished projects Gallery.
For more techical support just get in touch or visit our Technical Pages.