Veneer Sources at IWF 2012

Veneer sources found at the International Woodworking Fair included more than two dozen companies, though most products target industrial, not custom, wood production.

Veneer has been facing challenges for years from decorative laminates, which have upped the ante with more photorealistic reproduction, and, more recently, textured surfaces to mimic tactile qualities of veneer.

Veneer is also a victim of design trends, bumped in the design phase if clients turn to painted surfaces, or plastic and metal laminates.

At IWF, M. Bohlke Veneer put a tree on display, symbolizing its commitment to FSC certified sourcing and its extensive line of veneers. Bohlke notes that it has been prepared for the recent rise in popularity, offering bamboo veneer (including FSC certified) in caramel (darker) and natural (lighter), and in flat cut with a wide grain 3/4-inch pattern and quarter cut in a narrower grain of 1/4-inch.

Veneer Tech, Elias Woodwork and Edgeco also showed veneer at IWF. Edgeco offers wood veneer edgebanding in over 30 species, pre-finished, and in a range of widths. It can be ordered custom stained, and in thicknesses of 1, 2 and 3 mm. Veneer sheets are also offered.

Elias Woodwork offers pressure sensitive veneer, unfinished or custom prefinished. Veneer is affixed to 3M peel and stick backer, which Elias says results in a permanent bond to most surfaces. It is available in 2-foot by 8-foot sheets. Paperback veneer comes in 4-foot by 8-foot sheets, in dozens of species both domestic and exotic.

Moulded Applications

An interesting sidenote: Danzer veneers, well known in architectural interior applications, also makes a deep-draw 3-D veneer. Moulded parts made of 3-D veneer or parts coated with 3-D veneer have a closed surface. Formed mats are very strong due to their three-dimensionality. You can buy it online as a covering for iPad2 direct from danzershop.com.

 For more information on veneer, visit Redbookonline.com.