Engineered veneer uses wood that has been subjected to manufacturing processes. This type of wood product is often called many things such as engineered, reconstituted, reconstructed, recomposed, man-made, manufactured or composite wood. Essentially real wood has been taken in strand, particle or fibre form and mixed with adhesives to create a composite wood material. So the end product still contains real wood but it has other materials “mixed in”.
Veneers can be made from timber logs as well as reconstructed wood composites. When it comes to choosing between a natural or reconstructed timber veneer for your project, the two top considerations are usually aesthetics and cost.
Natural wood veneers, like our Sliced Veneer range, offer bespoke design outcomes because each log has unique grain and figure. There can also be wider variance in colour between natural veneer sheets that designers may, or may not, desire for their project. These variations make it difficult to predict the final design outcome. The alternative is veneer made from reconstructed wood, like our Truewood range. Reconstructed wood veneers offer consistency in terms of colour and grain, which might be preferable to designers for some projects.
Reconstructed veneers are sometimes the only option when a scarce species cannot be sourced for a natural veneer. The colour and feel of a precious timber can be replicated by a reconstructed veneer. For example, our Truewood collection includes species such as Ebony and Teak which, due to the scarcity of quality veneer logs, is both increasingly expensive and harder-to-find as a natural veneer.
Additionally, with the transition to certified timbers, the question mark over some species when it comes to sustainability can make it almost impossible to produce veneers that comply with Australian logging laws and our own environmental conscious.
Generally reconstructed wood may be made from the same species used to make natural veneers, or can be a cheaper specie dyed to look like another specie. Reconstructed veneers may be the perfect fit for designers seeking more uniform aesthetic outcomes.
Our Truewood range are all made from the specific specie which bears their name. Truewood Teak, for example, is made from real Teak. As a result, it bears not only a similar colour to Teak but also other qualities Teak is famous such as smell and its waxy feel.
Our Truewood veneers are not dyed, therefore can be enjoyed for the natural warmth of the veneer without fear of fading. This solution offers natural, straight grain that present uniformity as well as beauty.
The manufacturing process also means our Truewood veneer range is excellent value for money when compared to Sliced Veneer of the same species. We manufacture over 30 different species of Truewood, with the range offering diverse colour selection.
You can view our Truewood and Sliced Veneer ranges here on our website, but please feel free to call us to discuss your specific project requirements on 07 5594 0655.
