What are the key steps to veneering and achieving the perfect finish?
Achieving a perfect veneer finish requires the kind of craftmanship and a deep understanding of materials that only a specialist joinery manufacturer can provide. From selecting the right veneer to ensuring a seamless bond, every step plays a crucial role in creating exceptional joinery. Factors like accurate cutting, controlled pressing and expert sanding all contribute to a smooth, durable surface.
Why does our in-house veneering service set us apart in the joinery manufacturing industry?
Our in-house veneering capabilities are truly unique in the UK. Most companies outsource this highly specialised service, as it requires a skillset that is itself very rare. It’s not widely taught and remains a highly hands-on craft that relies on experience and one-to-one training to perfect. We are committed to preserving and passing on this expertise to our apprentices, ensuring that our craftsmanship remains unmatched in the industry and that the art of veneering continues to define our work for generations.
Our specialist commercial joinery services are supported by in-house capabilities, including a dedicated finishing studio and veneering department. With the right finishing techniques, we enhance the natural beauty and durability of veneer, ensuring each piece of bespoke joinery meets the highest standards. Veneering doesn’t just elevate the aesthetics of commercial joinery, it also provides long-lasting resilience, making it ideal for high-traffic environments. Our veneering department is renowned for achieving exceptional quality in specialist joinery manufacturing.
What are the key steps in the veneering process to ensure a flawless finish time and time again?
- Selection of veneer
With collective decades of experience, we know what materials are the best fit for each project. Whenever a project calls for special materials, our skilled professionals go and select the veneer in person. It helps visualise the client’s vision and the high-quality finishes we aim to achieve.
- Technical drawings and cutting sheets
The team reviews all technical drawings and specifications, carefully checking the matching parts of the panels and determining what needs to be cut first. They then select veneer bundles that will deliver a consistent finish across all panels.
- Cutting
After working out the most efficient process to work on the veneer, the veneer is cut to length. The cutting approach varies depending on the material. For example, when working with oak, we square the veneer up so the grain may sit slightly at an angle while the crown remains centred in the bundle for a consistent look across all panels.
- Trimming
The veneer is then trimmed to size, ensuring all measurements are accurate.
- Stitching
Once the panels are the right size, they are stitched together on the specialist stitching machine. This part of the process is extremely delicate and requires meticulous craftmanship.
- Calibrating
After stitching, the panels are calibrated and prepared for pressing and sanding to ensure a perfectly level surface.
- Pressing
With the panels ready, the veneer is pressed onto the substrate, creating a strong and uniform bond before being trimmed to its final dimensions.
- Sanding
After pressing, the veneered panel is sanded first mechanically and then by hand, ensuring the surface is perfectly smooth and ready for the final finish.
- Spraying
The veneered panels are then sent to our in-house finishing studio, where our specialist sprayers apply high-quality coatings that enhance both the appearance and durability of the joinery.
How do we ensure the quality and durability of veneers in high-traffic environments?
Maintaining the longevity of commercial joinery is essential in spaces subject to heavy use. While veneer itself is strong and resilient, selecting high-quality materials is crucial to its longevity. One of the most important factors to ensure durability is our finishing process. We apply hard-on lacquers to protect the veneer from scratches, moisture and general wear and tear, significantly extending its lifespan.
Veneers are also pressed onto high-density, impact-resistant substrates to improve structural integrity and prevent damage. Using precision stitching and advanced pressing techniques, we create a bond that resists peeling, lifting or delamination over time. Since our joinery is manufactured here in the UK, we have full control over materials, processes and quality standards throughout production.
How do we balance aesthetics and functionality when selecting veneers for a specialist commercial joinery project?
First, we carefully inspect and select the materials and sheets, as our experts can immediately tell which ones will create the best finish. Wild veneers, for instance, can be tricky since their veins don’t always align perfectly after cutting and stitching.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to reassess the selected sheets and discard any that aren’t suitable for face bundles. Additionally, using thinner veneers for faces is risky, as the sanding process could wear them down too much, compromising the final result.
