Veneers are the new trend to decorate your houses and commercial buildings these days. Especially with the introduction of decorative veneer sheets, homeowners have been vamping up the appearance of their homes with little to no effort.
There are plenty of wood veneers in the market along with hundreds of different variations to choose from. The sheer variety and options of veneers available are what attract customers to purchase such options for their properties.
However, it can be hard to determine whether the veneer that you are buying is the right fit for your home or not. Since this is a very niche topic, most homeowners know little to nothing about it and instead, turn to professionals to get the help they need. However, it is always best to do your research before trusting someone else.
This is why it is of the utmost importance to know the different types of veneer along with how to differentiate between good quality and bad quality veneer. Since dupes have gotten increasingly similar to original products these days, it can be hard to recognize the few key pointers which make the originals different from their dupes.
What to consider when buying veneer?
Here is a general checklist you may want to consider when purchasing veneer. It is also crucial that you take the utmost care in checking off these points.
1. The grain pattern –
This is the main differentiating point you will notice when checking out natural and fake veneer. Since, ideally, natural veneers are just thin sheets of wood taken from a tree, a good quality veneer will also have the natural grain pattern of the tree imprinted on them. If the pattern is too perfect that it appears to be synthetic, or if the pattern is not uniform, chances are that the veneer itself is also not original.
2. The odour –
Natural veneers will have a distinct and stark odour. However, since natural veneers can have a rather unique and distinct smell, it can be hard for non-experts to identify them. Therefore, if you want to differentiate based on odour, it is recommended to take somebody with you who is educated on these matters. This is because artificial sellers and dupes will often try to mimic the smell of natural veneer, so if you are not well-acquainted with the natural smell, you may not be able to differentiate well.
3. The hardness –
Natural veneers are usually quite hard. Therefore, when you go to purchase veneer furniture, make sure to knock on it once to fully grasp the hardness, and thus, the quality of the veneer. However, a point to remember is that different kinds of veneer will have different hardness. Teak veneer, for instance, is much harder than other kinds of veneer. Hence, before you go to purchase veneer, it is important to get yourself acquainted with the different variations beforehand.
4. The visibility you require –
Because some veneers are more visually appealing than others, it is necessary to specify your requirements to the seller before making your purchase. While you are at it, give them the specifications you need as well, so that they can find the perfect match for you. This way, they will be able to tell you what best suits your requirements. You must be as clear and explicit about the details as possible so that there is no misunderstanding and you are not disappointed by the outcomes.
4. The moisture –
The moisture levels of the veneer are of the utmost importance when checking the quality of your wood. Ideally, this should be anywhere between 4% and 5%. If the moisture content exceeds 8%, chances are that certain problems may occur with the condition checking.
Conclusion
Artificial sellers have become increasingly good at making believable dupes, to such an extent that differentiating between original and fake products is extremely hard. However, just like anything, there are a few key points that help differentiate between original and fake products. As long as you are educated on these, you are sure to be satisfied with your purchase!
