In this kitchen island, we used solid wood to frame the island and create the braces for the counter top, but used veneer for the curved insets in the base.

What is Veneer?
Wood veneer is a thin slice of wood cut or peeled from a log. The slice can be as thin as a piece of paper or thick enough to accommodate sanding and refinishing down the road. The veneer is adhered to another wood surface. Typically, the outer layer is made from the most beautiful or exotic woods, while the substrate is made from utilitarian woods or particle board.

How Solid Woods and Veneers Compare
When shopping for furniture, most people are looking for a combination of beautiful design and materials, durability, value and, increasingly, environmentally sensitive materials. Let’s compare solid woods and veneers according to these criteria:

1. Aesthetics
If you’re looking for the simple lines, plain woods, and solidness of Shaker or Mission style furniture, solid wood is a great option. If you want some curves in your furniture, matched grain patterns, inlaid woods or exotic woods, you’ll be drawn to pieces that incorporate veneers.

2. Durability
Solid wood furniture will last forever if it is made well. Years of heavy use may lead to dents, dings or scratches, but the beauty of solid wood is that surface imperfections may be sanded out and the furniture can be refinished.

3. Value
Furniture made completely from solid wood is more expensive than furniture made from a combination of veneers and solid wood. This stands to reason since more high-quality lumber is needed.

4. Environmental Considerations
If conserving natural resources is a priority, then furniture made of wood veneers is a great choice. The veneering technology makes it possible to get 15 to 20 tables out of the same lumber used to create just one solid wood table.

We used exotic wood veneers on the headboard of this bed and table drawer and top to create eye-catching, distinctive pieces.

The Signs of Quality
The local discount furniture store sells furniture made from wood veneers. So do high-end furniture artisans such as Furniture by Dovetail. What’s the difference? Here are five telltale signs of quality:

Thickness of the veneer – Mass produced furniture is often covered by veneers that are as thin as 1/128th of an inch. These veneers are too thin to permit sanding or refinishing.

Construction – Wood veneers on inexpensive furniture are typically fastened together with staples or cheap nails. Quality furniture will be constructed with veneers on real wood substrates that are fastened using durable woodworking techniques such as dovetailing, doweling or tongue and groove joints.

Mix of solid wood and veneer – High quality furniture uses solid wood in structural elements such as furniture legs, posts, arms and frames. Less expensive counterparts will use wood veneers throughout a piece of furniture.

Type of wood - Craftsmen use high-end wood veneers for their superior grains and the ability to use exotic woods that are unavailable. Wood veneers are specified for their exceptional beauty, whereas the local furniture superstore uses more mundane veneers to hide defects and keep costs down.

Design – While mass furniture makers use veneers purely because they are more affordable than solid wood, craftsmen often employ veneers for specific effects that would otherwise be extremely difficult to achieve.

To receive a copy of our complete white paper, “The Truth about Veneers and Solid Wood in Fine Furniture,” please email your request to: kim_neuhauser@furniturebydovetail.com

Furniture by Dovetail started in 1988 and quickly became a leading provider of custom furniture. We use only hand-selected hardwoods, time-honored joinery, and hand-rubbed finishes to create furniture for your home or workspace.

We offer an extensive standard collection that includes contemporary interpretations of classic styles that stem from a wide array of design traditions, from arts and crafts to art deco. Custom furniture is our specialty. With thousands of pieces now in customers’ homes and offices, we have developed a wealth of experience to perfectly craft your product and create something both functional and beautiful.

Be sure to check this blog often. We will be updating frequently with new concepts for furniture design, ideas for furnishing your home, and some behind-the-scenes looks at what goes into making these handcrafted pieces. We’ll also have news about what’s happening at Furniture by Dovetail, along with any upcoming special offers and deals.