Wood Veneer Versus Laminate
Traditionally, veneer’s rich look and feel is more associated with upscale hospitality than laminate. You are more likely to see veneer in luxury hotel casegoods. However, laminate is improving, and in recent years, there has been less of a tangible difference between wood veneer and laminate.
When you are building furniture for hotels, you need a strong, durable structure that will hold up to public use while adding elegance and functionality to the space. In terms of durability, laminate is heat and scratch resistant. It is more economical than wood veneer; many laminates are available, and its synthetic properties allow it to resist wear and tear.
In terms of affordability and durability, laminate takes the advantage. However, when you are building high-end furniture for hotels, it’s hard to match the natural, rich, and varied look of real wood veneer. Discerning guests may recognize the difference between even the best laminate and a wood veneer.
Wood veneer is usually the choice for luxury because it provides the look and feel of genuine hardwood, still at a much lower cost. Constructing a wood veneer casegood requires more engineering and effort than a piece of laminate furniture, but the results are clean, elegant, and genuine.
How to Choose the Right Veneer for Your Project
Wood veneers are made from different woods, including hardwood, softwood, and tropical hardwood. They can be natural, elegantly finished thin layers of wood, manufactured veneers, or may be enhanced with artistic finishes like oxidation or sandblasting.
Wood veneers come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Here are the three types of veneers commonly used by hotel furniture manufacturers.
Walnut Veneer
With a golden brown color and a rich grain pattern, walnut veneer offers a warm, tactile, and sophisticated look. Since walnut is a hardwood, it adds durability to your hotel casegoods and furnishings.
Walnut is a more expensive wood, even for the veneer. The wood tends to have natural shade variations, which some designers love, while others prefer a more uniform look.
Oak Veneer
Oak veneer offers a modern, elegant look. A versatile and durable option, it can be a good choice to add a hint of warmth to a bright and fresh room. Oak pairs well with a variety of colors and finishes, including gloss or brushed metal.
Beech Veneer
Beech is strong and tough with a close, straight grain. It polishes beautifully and is a top choice for hotel casegoods because it withstands use without showing significant wear and tear. However, beech veneer is not water resistant and cannot be used in outdoor areas or other areas exposed to changes in moisture.
Is Solid Wood Ever a Better Choice?
If you are building a piece of furniture that you want to last a lifetime, solid wood may be a better option. This is primarily because solid wood is easier to repair and refinish. If it starts showing wear, you can sand and refinish it to make it look as good as new.
However, in the world of hotel furniture, where the average high-end hotel remodels every five to eight years, this type of longevity is not a priority, especially true when you compare the price of hardwood versus using a wood veneer. Solid wood is also susceptible to fluctuations in temperature or heat sources and can be prone to split. It is less flexible and harder to shape into some designs.
Wood veneer provides the look of hardwood but with the adaptability to be molded to fit any design need. Veneer has the added advantage of being environmentally friendly. Well-engineered veneer furniture is very stable, especially with basic care. On the downside, It can be subject to scratching and gouging, like solid wood.
Wood Veneers Offer Flexibility and Cost-Effective Elegance
Wood veneers offer the authentic look of solid natural wood at a lower cost – both to the environment and the budget. Veneer’s flexibility makes it an ideal choice for creative and curvy designs that might otherwise need to be carved, wasting expensive hardwood. With a variety of wood grains, species, and finishes, designers can use wood veneer to create unique, luxury hotel furnishings.
To explore the perfect veneer for your next furniture manufacturing project, connect with our resourceful and dedicated team.