Timber veneer consists of thin wood slices glued onto core panels to form flat sheets, which are used in making doors, cabinets, wall panels, joinery, and furniture.
This method efficiently utilises natural resources, as a single log can produce meters of timber panels, showcasing various grain patterns.
Veneer Sample Video Loop
Why are Britton Timbers Veneers are different?
LOGS GROWN & SOURCED WITHIN A MANAGED FOREST
Trees are monitored throughout there lifetime, pruned, density managed in prepartion for harvest at this point in time their end use is yet to be determined
LOGS GROWN & SOURCED WITHIN A MANAGED FOREST
Trees are monitored throughout there lifetime, pruned, density managed in prepartion for harvest at this point in time their end use is yet to be Determined
LOGS GROWN & SOURCED WITHIN A MANAGED FOREST
TREES ARE MONITORED THOUGHOUT THERE LIFETIME, PRUNED, DENSITY MANAGED IN PREPORATION FOR HARVEST AT THIS POINT IN TIME THEIR END USE IS YET TO BE
DETERMINED
VENEER LOGS IDENTIFIED & LOGGED SEPARATE FROM GENERAL SAWN LOGS
WITHIN BRITTON TIMBERS LOG YARD, VENEER LOGS ARE ISOLATED, TAGGED AND SHIPPED TO THE VENEER MILL FOR FURTHER PROCESSING ALL WHILST HAVING THEIR
INDIVIDUAL LOG NUMBER LODGED IN PRODUCTION. NOTE THE LODGING OF LOG NUMBERS AND IDENTIFICATION TAGS IS A CRITIAL STEP IN BRITTON TIMBERS
OBLIGATION UNDER PEFC STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES.
LOGS DE-BARKED AND SAWN/ CUT QTR or CROWN
HOW A LOG IS SPLIT IS SPEICIES AND DEMAND DEPENDANT, FOR EXAMPLE BLACKWOOD LOGS ARE TYPICALLY CROWN CUT OVER QUARTER DUE TO THE APPEAL OF THE
SPEICIES’ GROWTH RINGS AND COLOUR TONES
LOG FLITCHES BOILED
CUT PIECES OR “FLITCHES” ARE KEPT IN LOG SEQUENCE, BOUND AND BOILED TO INCREASE MOISTURE CONTENT AND SOFTNESS FOR SLICING
LOG FLITCHES SLICED
ONE BY ONE FLITCHES ARE LOADED ONTO PURPOSE BUILT MACHINERY AND SLICED TO AN INDUSTRY STANDARD THICKNESS OF .55mm, MAXIMIZING TIMBER
YIELD WHILST KEEPING ALL SHAVED PIECES OR “LEAVES” IN SEQUENCE, IN AFFECT RECONTRUCTING THE LOG ITS HAS BEEN PROCESSED FROM
VENEER LEAVES ARE DRIED
IN SEQUENCE, LEAVES ARE LOADED INTO A DRYER WHEREBY EACH LEAF IS DRIED TO THE DESIRED MOISTURE LEVEL TO SUIT THE SPEICIES AND VENEER IS STACKED READY
FOR FURTHER PROCESSING AND STORAGE.
VENEER BUNDLES MEASURED & CUT
AFTER DRYING, LEAVES ARE PUT BACK INTO THEIR BUNDLE SEQUENCE, HERE OVERALL LENGTH & WIDTH IS ESTABLISHED ANY SAPWOOD OR DEFECTS
ON THE EDGE OF THE BUNDLE IS REMOVED BY GUILLOTINE AND M2 OF EACH BUNDLE IS DETERMINED, GIVING THE ABILITY TO QUANITFY HOW MUCH
VENEER HAS COME FROM A LOG. AT THIS POINT VENEER BUNDLES ARE STRAPPED AND BARCODED, GIVING EACH BUNDLE A REFENCE BACK TO THE LOG TREE FROM WHICH
IT WAS CUT.
VENEER BUNDLES GRADED & PACKED
AFTER TALLYING THE VENEER PRODUCED THE MATERIAL IS GRADED AND PACKED INTO CRATES OF APPROX 2000m2, SOMETIMES
HOUSING UP TO 3 OR 4 DIFFERENT LOG RUNS OF VENEER. CRATES ARE STORED READY FOR SELCTION/ JOB ALLOCATION
TECH TIP: TYPICAL VENEER GRADES ARE EITHER: FACE GRADE, NATURAL GRADE OR BACKING GRADE ALL OF WHICH ARE DETERMINED BY THE PRESENCE OF
DEFECTS IN THE VENEER AND HOW WELL THE VENEER STACKS UP AGAINST THE TYPICAL CHARACTORICS OF THE SPECIES.
VENEER SELECTION
LOGS GROWN & SOURCED WITHIN A MANAGED FOREST
Trees are monitored throughout there lifetime, pruned, density managed in prepartion for harvest at this point in time their end use is yet to be Determined
Veneer Tips
- Ceiling and wall lining jobs can usually be identified by the requested thicknesses.
- 12mm or 16mm thick substrates are usually used on walls.
- 9mm substrates are used on ceilings.
- 18mm to 32mm thick substrates are used in joinery or cabinetry.
- Samples are key to managing a customer’s expectation and should be done on large orders, submitting samples gives the opportunity to showcase any variation in the species and show the product in its raw state, eliminating any surprises onsite.
- A typical spec on veneer board should have the information outlined on the table below, if any of the information is missing from the architect, designer or customer ordering questions need to be asked to fill in any blanks.
| Specification | Example | Panel options |
| Species | Tasmanian Oak | – |
| Grade or Type | Natural Feature Grade | A Grade, Natural Feature (NFG), select. |
| Cut | Crown | Crown, Quarter, Rift, Rotary |
| Pattern/ Joining | Book Matched | Book Matched, Slip Matched, Mismatched, Reverse Slip Matched, Set leaf width, |
| Substrate type | MDF | MDF, MR MDF, FR MDF, HMR Particleboard, Plywood (Melapi, Lauan, BS1088 Marine, BB/BB Birch ply). |
| Sheet Size | 2400×1200 | Std. MDF sheets are 1200 wide x 2400, 2700, 3000, 3100, 3600 long. |
| Sheet Thickness | 19mm (veneer + substrate) | Typ. MDF thicknesses (mm): 3,4, 4.75, 6, 9, 12, 16, 18 |
| Panel Type | DGB | DGB, G2S or BAMO |
Veneer Facts
- All veneer panels must have veneer both sides of a panel, see options below:
| Panel Terminology | Abbreviation | Note | Application |
| Good 2 Sides | G2S | Face veneer used both sides of a sheet, most expensive combination. | Both sides of a sheet are seen for example: fins, open shelves, premium cabinetry, end panels. |
| Down Grade Back | DGB | Back grade veneer (of the same species) used on the rear face of a panel. | Back of a panel is rarely seen and/or only slightly seen for example: cabinet doors, benchtops, cabinet end panels. |
| BAMO Back | BAMO – Back At Manufacturers Option | Veneer of any species (usually backing grade or with appearance defects) used on the rear face of a panel. Sole purpose is to balance the sheet. | Back of a panel is not see or is direct fixed to a wall, for example: wall linings, ceiling linings, ceiling grid insert panels, cladding. |
- Batching must be considered. There is a limit to how many standard sized sheets can be made from a sliced log. How much veneer needs to be matched needs to be established at the point of order and information passed onto veneer producer/ mill to allocate/ select veneer before joining. Room take-offs or wall runs should be worked out on large projects. Note: This is a point to discuss scope of veneer on the whole job? Often multiple contractors can be used for joinery, linings, etc. Ideally, we lock in specification for future orders/ referrals from multiple customers to ensure continuity across the project.
- Veneer panels are made oversized, for example a 2400×1200 panel will most likely be 2420×1215. The exact dimension can vary from one supplier to the next. Cutting to an exact nominated size or “Cut to Size” is an option at pressing stage at an additional charge.
- All panels are supplied raw (un-coated), the applied finish must be established at the time of order. When supplying directed to site, only roll applied coatings can be used. Information on suggested veneer board finishes can be found on the Timber Veneer Association of Australia’s website.
- All veneer panels receive a “factory sand” after pressing, typically 180 grit. Panels will need to be prepped for coating after handling, cutting, etc. An orbital or hand sand is genially required before coating, surface preparation will be governed by the coating being applied.
- Veneer boards cannot be used externally. Due to veneer thickness being only .55mm, excessive moisture (even ambient) can work through the face layer quickly, compromising the bond between veneer and substrate. A typical coating will only slow this process.
- Supplying prefinished panels is only an option for ceiling work where fixing methods are somewhat standardized. Any prefinished panels must be sampled and expectations on sizing and packaging established with the client at point of order.
- The edge detail on a panel needs to be addressed. Will the edge of a panel be seen anywhere, and will it need to be finished? It’s best practice to remind a customer of this detail when ordering as there are several options that can address the edge of a panel: substrate chosen, iron on edging, painting, capping, etc.
- Is FSC or PEFC certification required? Certification is not something we can supply in retrospect, certified materials need to be sourced at the mill/ at the point of production. Often PEFC certification is offered with veneer board orders in lieu of FSC due to material availability.