It's Easy to Damage. Because it's made from natural wood, wood veneer is prone to scratching and gouging, which can quickly make it look weathered and worn.
Wood veneers are connected to fiberboard, which is lighter than natural wood boards; if wood veneers are not treated with a surface polish, liquids can easily pass through the wood. In addition, unlike solid wood, wood veneers can be difficult or expensive to repair if damaged.
Because veneer is only a thin layer of wood attached with glue to a solid base, it is very vulnerable to damage on wooden furniture. On old furniture, the glue that holds the veneer is often not water-resistant. Prolonged humidity or exposure to water can soften the glue, letting the veneer blister, crack, or peel.
When it comes to how durable and long-lasting wood veneer furniture can be, wood veneer furniture can last as long as solid wood. In fact, because veneer furniture is not prone to the same aging effects as solid wood, such as splitting or warping, wood veneer furniture will often outlast solid wood furniture.
Veneered furniture can be high quality if the underlying wood is solid—just look at the pieces from the 50s and 60s that are still going strong. Veneer is also often the only option for some fine furniture features like curved drawers, bookmatching to create a unique pattern or using an expensive, exotic wood species.
Simply put, it counteracts all the cons of solid wood. It doesn't shrink and swell like solid wood, it's cheaper to purchase, it's much more sustainable, and you can purchase veneer in “flitches,” which allows you to create a uniform look.
Cracks can also occur when a veneer loses too much moisture (or loses moisture too quickly). When this happens, internal stresses become so strong that the wood cells shrink, lose elasticity, and then separate from each other.
To maintain the oiled wood veneer, very lightly brush wood areas with a fine Scotchbrite pad moving in the direction of the grain to open the pores of the wood and remove fingerprints and dirt. Never use wax-based products (Pledge, Endust), aerosol-powered cleaners, polishes, waxes, abrasive cleaners, or oily polishes.
Disadvantages of Wood Veneer Furniture: Wood veneer can blister, delaminate or peel back at the edges if not treated with care. However, this is incredibly easy to prevent by using mats each mealtime and by giving your wood veneer furniture a regular, light clean.
Porcelain/ceramic veneers are not only durable and long-lasting. They are also incredibly stain-resistant, keeping your smile whiter. This material is also the best option for teeth with extensive damage, such as broken or darkly discolored teeth.
The way wood veneers are made gives them many advantages over traditional solid wood. Since just a thin slice of wood is used, veneers maximize the use of a single log, making them more environmentally-friendly and affordable. This also makes veneers less prone to warping and splitting.
Wood veneer can experience water damage that can warp the wood and if over exposed, it can start to lift away from the substrate beneath as the glue is no longer able to bind. In extreme cases, the veneer may also soften, losing its original texture completely due to absorbing too much moisture.
Veneers require periodic maintenance as they are not waterproof and may get damaged by heat. Therefore, veneer finishes should be avoided in moisture-laden areas like the kitchens or bathrooms because moisture can seep under the veneer and loosen the top layer.
1) Long-lasting smile enhancement
They may last up to 15 years with proper care before needing to be repaired or completely replaced. After getting veneers, however, you will not have to worry about constantly replacing them. In addition, most types of veneers are resistant to stains and chips!
Plywood and veneer wood furniture can both last for ages to come, provided some basic maintenance is performed on them from time to time. Both can offer pretty high returns over the initial investment, making the money invested in them worth every penny.
Finishing Wood Veneers 101
Our two top choices for finishes: First: petroleum based polyurethane varnish. Second: Water based polyurethane varnish.
Your dentist can often smooth out small chips in the veneer's porcelain using dental contouring. However, a broken or cracked veneer cannot be repaired and a dental laboratory must create a new one. Your veneers are durable and designed to last many years. However, they can chip or break in certain circumstances.
Is there already veneer on the surface you're looking to add your new wood veneer to? It's not always necessary to remove the old wood veneer before moving forward, but it should be intact, not bubbled or cracked, and firmly attached, if you are even considering veneering over it.
Wooden veneers cannot be left unfinished as the raw timber will absorb any moisture on the surface, be that water splashes, wipe marks, and even oil from fingertips. This will soak into the top veneer layer, and it will stain. All timber veneers need to be finished with either a lacquer or an oil.
Score the cut line with a sharp razor blade. This cuts the veneer and helps reduce chipping. Run tape across the cut line in order to support the veneer and reduced chipping from tear out. Use a clean blade that's designed specifically for cutting veneers.
Veneered tabletops can be retreated in the same way as solid wood tabletops. We recommend that you oil your tabletop regularly, all depending on the location and use. As the veneer is relatively thin, great care must be taken when using abrasive sponges and sandpaper.
Wood veneers in the simplest of terms are thin slices of natural wood generally less than 1/40” thick. These veneers are typically pressed onto or laminated to thicker core materials such as plywood, particle board and MDF to create structural panels to be used in place of thicker hardwood lumber.
Wear and tear
Bad habits such as teeth grinding and opening hard substances with your teeth can hasten deterioration and cause damage to the veneers. If the veneers get chipped or cracked, you will need to have them replaced with new ones.