Timber iQ December 2019 - January 2020 // Issue: 47 | Page 43

TALKING TIMBER
Veneer – the beauty
of nature’s design
By Pearlman Veneers
O
ne cannot dispute the elegance and class that
is birthed by natural products. Our senses are
enticed by the aroma and exclusivity of natural
woodgrain designs. This sensation can only be found
by products produced by mother nature herself. One
cannot substitute the originality of nature’s design. It is
as Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, “If you lose touch
with nature, you lose touch with humanity”.
In woodworking, a veneer is a ‘paper thin’ cut of wood that
can be bound to a strong core substrate such as
Chipboard or Medium Density Fibre (MDF) Board, in order
to seal or give it a decorative finish. Veneered boards are
used to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and panels
for cabinets, shopfitting and furniture.
Historically, veneers date back to nearly 4 000 years ago,
when ancient Egyptians used veneers on their furniture and
mummy coffins. The Egyptians are believed to be the
pioneers of wood veneers. During the 17th century the
crafting of veneers became more refined as the tools
modernised.
Thinner blades were developed which made cutting
thinner sheets of veneer possible, thus resulting in a
wider technical designs and inlays of veneers. By the
18th century the cutting of veneers had improved
dramatically leading to changes in the construction
of veneer patterns. By the end of the 19th century,
thin veneer was extremely popular and formed an
integral part of the furniture and carpentry industry we
know today.
Besides the organic beauty of veneer, there are numerous
benefits that one should consider:
1. Veneer is a cost-effective option that provides the look,
feel and beauty of a solid natural wood grain.
www.timberiq.co.za
There is nothing like the sensation
of running your fingers across a
wooden surface. Embedded within
the grained texture is a nostalgic
warmth that simply cannot be
mimicked by synthetic imitations.
Veneered boards are used to produce flat panels such as doors,
tops and panels for cabinets, shopfitting and furniture.
"A veneer is a ‘paper thin’ cut of
wood that can be bound to a strong
core substrate."
2. Veneer can be sanded and refinished. You can easily give
your veneer furniture or surfaces an updated look.
3. Veneer is considered to be an environmentally friendly
surface as it is considered to maximise the material
obtained from a single log (greater surface cover per log).
This also allows craftsman to match grains and create an
entire surface from one tree. This is virtually impossible
with solid wood.
4. Veneer has unique, woodgrain designs that cannot be
mimicked. Each log has its own ‘fingerprint’ that allows
for your surface or furniture design to be one of a kind.
5. Easy maintenance.
Veneer is an art that has been shaped and perfected
throughout the centuries. Pearlman Veneers is a premium
manufacturer and distributor of quality veneered boards,
natural and reconstituted veneer bundles and layons.
Pearlman Veneers hosts an incredible range of local and
imported veneer and are considered to be market leaders for
premium quality and price.
// DECEMBER 2019 / JANUARY 2020
41