Wood veneer sheets are available in the following sizes:

2’ x 8’-10’-12’
4’ x 8’-10’-12’
5’ x 8’-10’-12’
12′-10′-8′ x 4′ (crossgrain)
12′-10′-8′ x 5′ (crossgrain)

And available with the following backers:

5-10-20-30 mil paper (thickness .020”-.030”-.040” +/- .004” with face veneer)
Wood (.040” +/- .005” with face veneer)
Phenolic (HPL) (.045” +/- .005” with face veneer)
Pressure sensitive adhesive (peel & stick or PSA)
Plywood, MDF, or PB cores

The most readily available woods are the main 8 domestics (Ash, Birch, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, Red Oak, Walnut, & White Oak) in flat cut and to a lesser extent quarter cut and rift cut. These will be available in many of the sizes and backers listed above from stock for same day shipping.

In exotic woods, our price list will show 200 species. Availability will vary on these items, and some may require two week lead times, but rarely will lead times be beyond that. 10 mil backer is going to be the most readily available with wood backer being about 3-5 days to ship.

Other options for the way the veneer is put together or matched from sheet to sheet:

Sequence matching
End matching
Balance matching
Slip matching
Pre-finished (any species)
Select for color and grain match

Samples for most veneers are available. The important distinction is that we know:

1) Representative samples: pulled from sample bins and are used to give the customer a general idea of what they would receive if they placed an order. Ship out same day.
2) “Live” samples: pulled from actual veneer that will be used to make your order. This type of sample is slower to ship. Usually 2-3 days.
3) Digital photo samples: usually from actual stock that you would receive. It is important to note that color variations are common in pictures. Sent same day.
Veneer Grading System

“A” grade – This is the lowest grade and would be used for requirements that allow for veneer “defects”. This would be such things as limited pin knots, mineral streaks, gum/bark pockets, worm tracks, vine marks, cross bars, color variation or streaks. This would be the common stocking grade of the general cabinet industry. Sheets are not likely to match in this grade. In burls, this grade would have more “swirl” open grain, with less than 25%-50% tight burl and “tile” sizes are generally less than one foot in length and width. Figured veneers have mild figure and would have substantial breaks (25-50% with figure) and sometimes have a block mottle appearance.

“AA” grade – This grade is best for requirements that need an above-average quality. It would still have a few of the “defects” that are in “A’’ grade. In burl, this would be 50-75% tight burl and a larger “tile” size in the range of 8”-12” in length and width. Sheets are generally close in grain and color. Splices (joints or seams) are wider (less in number) than “A” grade. Figured veneer is medium figure would have some mild breaks in figure (50-75% with figure).

“AAA” grade – This is a “cleaner” grade of veneer with very few “defects”. Sheets are generally in sequence and match in grain and color. In burls, this would be 75-100% tight burl and tiles sizes that are usually 12-16” in length and width. The widest veneer flitches typically are used to allow for fewer splices. Figured veneer is stronger with little or no breaks in figure (75%-100% with figure).

“AAA” Birdseye “AA” “A”
“AAA” (75-100% CE Burl) “AA” (50-75% burl) “A” (25-50% burl)

“AAA” Q/F Anigre “AA” “A”

Veneer Use and Application

The uses of veneer are vast and numerous and each application has unique requirements. Some of the uses are cabinetry, store/office fixtures, auto, furniture, aircraft, boating, doors, paneling, and many other uses. It is very important to test each product for each application. We do not warranty or guarantee any of our products for any particular purpose and are liable only for defects in workmanship that are not acceptable to our industry.

Our product is laminated most often with contact cement though white glues can be used with veneer presses or vacuum presses. It is common for customers to report de-lamination when using the 10 mil product. Many customers believe that their finish is penetrating the wood and 10 mil backer and releasing the contact cement or white flue bond. The backer is resin-impregnated and will not typically allow breaches of finish or contact cement. Very rarely is this the product delaminating within itself, but almost always a de-lamination between our product and the customer’s substrate (poor bond). Usually, this is due to a lack of sufficient contact cement coverage.

1) It must be as close to 100% contact coverage as possible. Most customers think they can apply the same contact cement coverage that they use on plastic laminates, but wood will try to move or lift when it is finished or changes environmental conditions and may do so if not bonded properly.
2) Good pressure is also important (no rollers please).
3) Be certain to allow for manufacturer’s open time before bonding with contact cement. A bond put down too early or too late may not adhere properly.

The wood-backed product (we call it Crosswood because the backer is cross-banded to the face) has almost no reported lamination issues. The wood backing allows better penetration of contact cement and stronger bonding. Also, the cross-banded backing may equalize the stress placed on the face and the subsequent “pulling” in one direction. Phenolic backing also has few reported lamination issues.

Shipping Wood Veneers

Most sheet veneers can be rolled up and shipped via UPS/FEDEX/DHL. Charges range from $10.00-$25.00 per box for most domestic shipping locations pending weight and box size. We try to limit the dimensional weight and use boxes as small as 51” x 8” x 8” which will hold about 5 sheets. After 5 sheets, we would use a 51” x 14” x 14” size box. All phenolic-backed veneers would ship in this larger size and result in higher charges. Overnight shipping is available for most products. Plywood is put on skids and ships LTL. Expedited plywood shipping is expensive, but available for most shipments.

Veneer is cut in various methods that provide different looks to the sheets as follows:

Flat Cut results in an open grain that produces “cathedrals” in the wood. This is sometimes referred to as “plain sliced”. This is the most common type of cut.

Rift Cut produces a straight grain appearance without the distinct marks produced in quarter cutting (see below). A certain knife angle allows the straighter grain.

Quarter Cut results in a similar grain to rift cutting (straight) except that the knife cut is at a slightly different angle than other methods. Often, this cutting method will result in distinct “flake” markings (see below) and sometimes figure in the veneer.

Half round and rotary slicing allow for wider veneer “leaves” or components used to make the veneer face. It results in a more open, random, wilder grain appearance. Rotary slicing can allow full sheets (whole-piece faces) without seams.