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Veneer or solid timber: what to specify for joinery
Good veneer is not a cheaper imitation of solid wood. For wardrobes, wall panels and kitchen fronts it is often the better material.
· 4 min read
Solid timber moves: it swells and shrinks with humidity across its grain. On a large flat panel — a wardrobe door, a wall lining — that movement causes warping and open joints. Veneer is a thin slice of the same timber bonded to a stable board, so the surface is real wood but the panel stays flat.
Where we use each
| Wardrobe and kitchen fronts | Veneer on MR MDF or plywood |
|---|---|
| Wall panelling | Veneer, book-matched across panels |
| Table tops that will be sanded and re-oiled | Solid timber |
| Stair treads, handrails, edges that take knocks | Solid timber |
| Wet areas | Veneer on moisture-resistant core, fully sealed; or avoid timber |
What to ask for
- The cut: crown cut shows cathedral grain; quarter cut gives straight lines.
- Matching: book-matched or slip-matched across adjacent panels, specified on the drawing.
- Edges: solid timber lipping on edges that get knocked, not iron-on tape.
- Finish: a matt lacquer or hard-wax oil; ask for a sample board finished the same way.