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.
1. They're still very durable. Just because veneer furniture isn't completely made up of solid wood, doesn't mean it's not durable. 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 by years.
Disadvantages to Wood Veneers
Wood veneers are not as heavy as natural wood, which can be off putting to some buyers. Additionally, since wood veneers are not coated with surface polish, it's easier for liquids to be absorbed into the wood layer and cause damage.
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.
It's costly because the top layer is made from real wood, which is why it looks so impressive. The big question to ask yourself is, “Is it worth the higher price tag?” If you've got your heart set on wood veneer, there are ways to reduce the cost.
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.
There are four grades of plywood veneer: A, B, C, and D.
Porcelain veneers have excellent durability. The porcelain veneer lifespan is an average of 10 years, but they can easily last up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
A reliable 'standard' you can always depend on for most home projects are veneers with a thickness of 0.6mm, as this provides good quality and stability against changing temperatures.
The purpose of a veneer is that it's more affordable than solid timber as less actual wood is used, but also, the base material gives the whole thing overall stability. Natural, solid wood is very susceptible to moisture, meaning it can result in warping if left.
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.
Many people assume that veneer furniture is always inferior and less expensive than solid wood. Oftentimes, wood veneer can be a more cost-efficient option than solid wood furniture. However, wood veneer is often used for high-end pieces and can at times be more costly than solid wood.
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.
To complete the refinishing of your veneer, you need to apply staining with wax and polish. The wax is applied to give veneers a darker look. The wood stain wax is applied for a longer time so that it is absorbed properly and evenly by the veneer.
As a dental cosmetic, porcelain is easy to maintain but difficult to repair. With proper care, a porcelain veneer lasts 10 to 20 years.
Aside from brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your regular dental appointments with your Carrollton dentist, veneers require no special maintenance. Ultimately, veneers can be a great way to improve the look of your smile, giving you a natural appearance that you can cherish for years to come.
The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 4 to 8 years.
Composite veneers have a number of advantages over porcelain, chief among which is cost. On average, porcelain veneers are twice as expensive as composites, which is very important for some people given that most treatments are not covered by insurance, meaning you are likely paying out-of-pocket for treatment.
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.
Vinyl sanding sealer is a good choice when sealing your furniture, as it has excellent moisture and vapor resistance. Check finish instructions to make sure that you have the proper time and temperature for your veneer to dry. (Example: catalyst finish should dry at 68-75-degrees for six to eight hours.)
Like almost any item you leave exposed to direct sunlight for too long, wood veneer can start to fade and lose its colour and vibrancy.