French Polishing and Bespoke Furniture
A heavier piece of furniture usually indicates solid wood or plywood construction and a better quality . Veneered pieces are generally more stable and less likely to warp; however, real or solid wood is often more attractive and can be easily refinished.
If there is a veneer , you will be able to look at it from the side and see where the sheet of veneer attaches to the front of the piece. Also, if you see unfinished wood underneath the furniture , it’s probably wood and not laminate – which tends to cover the furniture from top to bottom.
If you prefer natural materials and the timeless look and warmth of real wood, then go in for a veneer finish. Laminates are best suited for a modern and colourful interiors that are easy to maintain.
Veneer is technically a thin layer of hardwood, usually thinner than 1/8 of an inch. Typically, veneer is bonded, or glued with adhesive, to a cheaper surface that is hidden below. Veneer can be sanded along the grain, painted and stained because it is real wood .
And just because the veneer is peeling, scratched or damaged doesn’t mean the furniture can’t be salvaged and re-styled to be beautiful again. If the veneer is in really rough shape, removing the veneer and painting or staining the wood underneath can turn your piece into a show stopper!
You noticed, porcelain veneers are more expensive but there is a reason; they look more natural and last far longer than their resin plastic counterparts. An average set of porcelain dental veneers will last about 10-15 years. Some veneers can last as long as 20 or 25 years.
If you see the grain but the pattern tends to repeat and it lacks texture and feels perfectly smooth, it’s probably veneer . If it lacks grain altogether, it’s most likely laminate .
Veneer can be primed, painted , stained, and treated just like any other wood surface. Painting veneer surfaces is a great way to spruce up furniture , make older pieces look newer, or make an original piece match a new décor scheme.
Veneered furniture is wood furniture that has a thin layer of decorative wood on its outer surface. Veneered furniture can be refinished like other wood furniture , as long as the veneer is not too thin, and you take care not to remove too much of the veneer when removing the old finish.
It’s Easy to Damage. Because it’s made from natural wood, wood veneer is prone to scratching and gouging, which can quickly make it look weathered and worn. And unlike solid wood, when wood veneer gets damaged it’s not easy to repair by sanding away scratches because the top wood layer is thin and easy to cut through.
What’s the difference between veneer and laminate ? In short, veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a less expensive material such as plywood. Laminate is a printed surface made to look like real wood, but usually made of plastic and bonded to a composite base.
The most common veneer wood types include: Ash Veneer. Bamboo Veneer . Birch Veneer. Cherry Veneer. Maple Veneer. Oak Veneer. White Oak Veneer. Teak Veneer.
Many people mistakenly assume that veneered furniture is inferior to or cheaper than solid wood . However, veneers are often used for high-end furniture pieces and can be more costly than solid wood .
A veneer top dining table can have just as good quality as a solid wood dining table . Veneered wood ranges in thickness, and can be as thin as a slice of paper. Some lower-quality veneered furniture is made with particle board, which is thinner and absorbs moisture easily.
The Best Way to Clean Veneer Furniture If you want to repair small scratches, you can apply oil polish and rub the area with a soft microfiber cloth until the scratch is no longer visible. Otherwise, avoid the frequent use of wax products to avoid build-up and simply dust the surfaces regularly.