Reconstituted Wood Veneers – Aesthetics + Sustainability
Authored by Christopher R. Resig, AIA, LEED AP, DHT, CFDAI, DHIA, SCUP
Have you ever wondered if there are alternatives for a broader range of wood veneers that are aesthetically pleasing, are more sustainable, and are at a lower price point to comparable veneers? Well, reconstituted wood veneers may be just the ticket for your doors, interior architectural woodwork, or cabinetry on your next project.
Reconstituted wood veneer is a type of manufactured wood veneer that is an environmentally friendly and less expensive alternative to the pricier rare or exotic ‘natural’ wood veneer species. Reconstituted veneer, also known as engineered veneer, recon veneer, or composite/artificial veneer, are typically made from a tree species that have a shorter growth cycle (Obeche, Poplar, Ayous, Basswood or similar) and potentially combining the source species with scraps or offcuts. The manufacturing process inherently reduces waste based on how the raw materials are being incorporated into the new veneer. Since reconstituted veneers are a manufactured product, they can produce a more consistent color and grain pattern, reducing waste in the sorting, selecting, and matching process.
The advantage of reconstituted wood veneer is that it’s created with consistency using real wood from natural, rapidly renewable sources. In simple terms, recon wood veneer is created by taking 1/42” wood veneer flitches from the source wood log and apply these veneer flitches in a layered manner with adhesives in a pressurized contoured mold until it is cured. The resulting plank is then cut into flitches of the reconstituted veneer that have thoroughly different characteristics than the original source wood, mimicking commonly utilized wood veneer species and is free from natural defects due to the manufacturing process.
Recon wood veneers replicate common and exotic wood species often specified for architectural applications. A few of these wood species include Ash, Bamboo, Beech, Birch, Butternut, Cedar, Cherry, Ebony, Hickory, Maple, Pine, Poplar, Oak, Rosewood, Teak, Walnut, Wenge, White Oak, and Zebrawood. The recon veneer flitch cuts result in the full range of cut found with common veneers including plain sliced, rotary cut, quarter cut, or rift cut. The resulting veneers can then be laid up for the desired aesthetic including book match, slip match, or random match.
Reconstituted wood veneers can be a fine solution for the eco-friendly building owner based on specific project requirements, delivering the desired design aesthetic, physical functionality, durability, material efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
