A veneer is a thin sheet of wood which is applied to the surface of a piece of furniture in order to showcase the pattern or texture of the wood’s grain. In other words, veneering is an efficient and economical way of using the innately attractive qualities of wood to create a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing surface. High quality veneers enhance the appearance of wooden furniture, and different types of veneer “cuts” can be used to display a wide range of grain patterns. For additional information about veneer cuts, types of veneers and other helpful definitions of common furniture terms, please visit our Furniture Glossary page.
Furniture Glossary
Solid wood means that the furniture is made without using veneers, and it also means that the piece does not contain any engineered wood, such as plywood, particle board, MDF, etc. All wooden furniture is made from a variety of different wooden components, but with solid wood furniture, each of those components are themselves one piece of solid wood. The wooden components may be “finished” with a paint, stain, or lacquer, but they are not made of smaller pressed particles nor do they feature veneers. Solid wood furniture is known for its exceptional strength and durability.