Getting Along with Wood - Veneer Knowledge

Veneer
Veneer is mainly divided into two categories: natural solid wood veneer and engineered wood veneer.
This time, we'll start with natural solid wood veneer.
Many people ask, "What is veneer?" So, let's explain exactly what veneer is. First, let's clarify that veneer is an industry term, not a literal meaning. It's not the bark covering the surface of the log.

Veneer is a processed form of logs. Let's discuss how it's made. First, high-quality logs are selected (typically from a pile of wood, with no obvious surface defects and straight strips). The bark is then removed and the logs are cut into squares to optimize yield. Then, they are steamed. This softens the wood for easier planing and removes impurities, resulting in a more distinct grain and a more pure color.
Once cooked, it's ready for the slicer, where the wood is sliced at the optimal angle, adjusted to the desired angle. Then, it undergoes drying, trimming, inspection, square measurement, grading, and packaging for storage in preparation for sale. By now, it's pretty clear what veneer is.

Let's talk about the grain of veneer. Common wood veneer patterns on the market typically produce straight lines, zigzags, and spirals. These patterns are primarily determined by the direction the wood is sliced.

Some wood types, such as burls and forks, produce grain patterns that are called burls and forks when sliced. Some wood variants, such as those with rippled strips, are called shadow wood. However, both types of wood are not cheap.