Growth features
Each tree and each wood species has individual features, such as special figures, small pin knots or interesting color variations.
Typical of real wood, these growth features contribute greatly to the character of a veneered piece of furniture.
In some cases, customers erroneously think that growth features are defects.
Steamed veneers
Sycamore, beech, and certain other veneers can be specified steamed or unsteamed. Steaming (or cooking) the logs in hot water has two purposes. First, it gives the wood the pliability required for a smooth cut and thus perfect processing quality. Secondly, the length of time the wood remains in the water affects the color of the veneer.
The soft pink cast is the unique signature of steamed woods.
Fumed / smoked veneers
Smoking is a staining method that has been used for more than 150 years. With this method the wood is steamed with ammonia for several weeks. All woods rich in tannin are suitable for smoking, for example, oak, pine, larch, swiss pearwood, apple and Douglas fir.
The chemical reaction of the acid in the wood with the ammonia base produces the dark coloring. The discoloration remains stable over time and with exposure to light. Incompletely formed heartwood remains light-colored in the sapwood area.
Matching / Sequence
The joining of consecutive veneer sheets from a pack (flitch) or an entire log to form a larger veneer area (face) is called "veneer matching". Because the veneer sheets are joined in consecutive order, they have approximately the same figure or pattern.
Many of our clients require sequenced material for their chosen design and aesthetic purposes. In our warehouse in Karlsruhe we select and carefully inspect all bundles.
Source: IFN, Initative Furnier und Natur, www.furnier.de