Face Veneer

Specifications

Let's explore more about the technical specifications of face veneer with HG Plywood:

Wood species

Wood species is really important in deciding the color and grain of veneers. Basically, woods are split into hardwoods (like trees that lose their leaves) and softwoods (like trees with cones). Also, woods can be sorted as either having open grain or closed grain, which talks about how their cells are structured.

Veneer Cutting Methods

The wood cutting method will result in face veneer layers with entirely different wood grains from the same wood species. (Please see the illustration below.)

1. Rotary Veneer Cutting Method: The entire log is thinly peeled. This method can produce full sheets of veneer. The wood grain pattern is broad, with no appearance of straight grain or quarter-sliced.

2. Rift Cut: This is the wood cutting method with a 15-degree angle relative to the radius of the wood flitch, used to minimize the wood grain effect.
3. Plain Sliced: This cutting method creates a cathedral-like grain pattern. Additionally, most logs will show some quarter-sawn appearance.

4. Quarter Sliced: This method creates stripes on wood - they're straight in some types, varied in others. When slicing through certain species, especially oak, it forms a grain pattern due to the medullary rays.

Veneer Matching

Different matching techniques are used for specific panel applications. Except for whole-piece faces cut by rotary, all veneer layers for full-sized panels must be assembled into large sheets or "spliced" together. The arrangement of individual veneer leaves is called veneer matching and will create a specific pattern in the finished panel. It's important not to confuse veneer matching with panel matching, which refers to the relationship between multiple panels in a sequence.

1. Veneers Pleasing Match: are selected for uniformity of color without regard to grain pattern. No sharp color contrast is allowed, but grain patterns may not match.
2. Veneer Book Match: is the most common matching method where alternating veneer leaves are flipped over like book pages. This results in a visually pleasing symmetrical pattern of mirrored wood grain images.
3. Slip Match involves feeding adjacent veneer leaves out sequentially without flipping them so that the same side of the veneer leaves is exposed. This allows the grain pattern of the leaves to repeat across the face of the panel, improving color uniformity.
4. Random Match veneer leaves are assembled without regard to grain pattern or color. Visual continuity is not guaranteed, as some tree species are naturally more uniform than others. Therefore, wood grain is also random.
5. Whole Piece A single piece of veneer is used, with consistent grain running across the entire sheet.

Veneer Grading

• A+: Premium grade for exclusive uses like architectural paneling and high-quality furniture.
• A: If you don't need A+'s premium quality, but still want excellent appearance.
• B: Desired for natural wood characteristics and appearance.
• C: Allows unlimited color and enhanced natural features. Ideal for cost-effective panel needs.
• D & E: Offer solid surfaces but allow unlimited color variations and repairs in larger sizes. Used where surface will be hidden or a rustic look is desired.