Veneer vs. Solid Wood
Debunking the Myth
There’s a myth out there that solid wood indicates quality, while veneer is a lesser material. However, sometimes the opposite is true.
Solid wood is best in places that get heavy use, like table or counter surfaces where deep marks and dents can be repaired.
Veneer is best for large areas that don’t get heavy use and that need to stay flat—like doors and drawer fronts. Solid wood tends to bow in these applications, which creates functional and aesthetic issues.
Veneer is best for large areas that don’t get heavy use and that need to stay flat—like doors and drawer fronts. Solid wood tends to bow in these applications, which creates functional and aesthetic issues.
We use ⅛-inch thick wood to edge our veneer doors and drawers so that the vulnerable corners are protected and can easily be repaired. It’s a beautifully crafted detail that elevates the look and feel, adding dimensionality and a touch of hand to keep the flat fronts looking anything but “flat.”
Veneer also enables a dramatically more efficient use of the best wood in a tree. Without the use of veneer, there would be no hardwood forests. Using veneer allows a sustainable balance.
Our veneers are made of unique selections of wood that highlight natural variations in grain and color without looking engineered or man-made. It’s a balance between consistency and a natural feel. We don’t try to make one wood look like another. In fact, we consider some natural variation in wood tones and grain beautiful and allow them to remain as they are.
Our veneers are made of unique selections of wood that highlight natural variations in grain and color without looking engineered or man-made. It’s a balance between consistency and a natural feel. We don’t try to make one wood look like another. In fact, we consider some natural variation in wood tones and grain beautiful and allow them to remain as they are.
Veneer often gets a bad reputation because of the substandard materials that can be hidden behind the surface. Henrybuilt uses a high-grade plywood core, manufactured with no formaldehyde adhesives by one of the longest standing family-owned mills in the country. All material used in the hardwood plywood panels is harvested from well-managed North American forests. It combines the strength of wood with precision of CNC milling.
When deciding between solid wood and veneer, it’s about choosing the best material for the best result in a given application. Our approach gives you old-school material quality with advanced technological precision. It’s a new standard that we stand behind with a lifetime guarantee.
