These two tables are both American White Oak with a lime wash, one is solid timber the other is timber veneer.

Solid cost is around double the price of the veneer but the veneer table is harder and wider. Go Figure.

Which is which? Left or right? The lemons or the white vase? The answer is hidden somewhere in this website. Happy hunting!

Although we still use solid timber to make dining tables, they constitute only around 2-5% of all tables we sell.

The other 95% we craft from premium timber veneers.

We’re using tables as the example because they’re the only item we still consider using solid timber, cabinets are now made entirely from veneers. Here’s a few reasons why veneers are a better choice for cabinets and tables…

• Larger, more modern design scope due to stability.
• Around half the cost of solid makes veneers more cost effective.
• Eco-friendly, less trees more furniture.
• Huge selection of species compared to solid timber.
• Impact resistance, veneers are tougher than most solid timbers.
• Higher skill set required working with veneers, fully craftsman built.

Solid timber plays a very minimal role in todays modern fine furniture market.

Solid timber doesn’t automatically equate to quality and vice verse, this is evident in the import market where substandard solid timber furniture made by untrained hands using low grade materials.

Beautiful, natural timber veneers and associated technology has forced solid timber furniture into the back seat.

A great example of this is found in the flooring industry where solid flooring has become less popular due to high costs, low choice, ongoing maintenance and mediocre hardness.

Obviously far more environmentally friendly than solid timber, the future of timber furniture belongs to natural timber veneers, check out this veneer making video to see how its done!