UnderstandingWoodVariations
Color Variations
Color and grain variations are a natural and expected characteristic of wood. Soil content, weather, and other environmental factors play a role in wood’s appearance and color, even among the same species.
Talk to your rep if you have specific requirements for color consistency.
Structural Differences
Natural veneer may feature a light and dark pattern due to heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood is much harder, more dense and typically darker than sapwood, which is usually lighter in color. These two absorb stain differently which may accentuate their differences.
Distinctive Characteristics
Wood veneer’s natural origin is what makes it so unique, desirable, and also challenging to specify. Different species and individual trees exhibit distinctive characteristics. Mineral streaks, worm tracks, and figure, to name a few, are acceptable at some level according to WDMA. These naturally occurring variations provide richness and variety to each project design.
VariationsinAuthenticWoodVeneers
Plain Sliced
A preferred cut for architectural doors for its straight grain patterns and greater consistency overall. (Also called flat cut.)
Rotary Cut
Creates wide sheets in a wide variety of patterns. The grain pattern is naturally inconsistent, making leaves more difficult to match.
Quarter Cut
Features a narrow striped pattern with a tight vertical grain and no arches or cathedral patterns. This cut may include rough patches (or “flake”) which is a natural characteristic and not a defect.
Rift Cut
Available only in Oak species, rift cut veneers feature a narrow striped pattern similar to quarter cut, with less of the “flake” effect.
There is often significant color variation in wood veneer. This variation occurs due to several factors including:
To reduce color variation in wood veneer, consider these options:
Careful selection of species, cut, and finishing, combined with close collaboration with your supplier, can significantly reduce color variation. For more information, contact your representative.
A Flawless Finish
Perfect for projects that require high-quality performance and superior appearance, our factory-finished wood veneer doors offer unmatched consistency and customization.
Beautiful Surfaces
Non-solvent-based stains, sealants, and topcoats bring out the wood veneer’s natural grain while providing a superior appearance, burnish, texture, and endurance.
Consistent Reliable Results
Create a uniform texture, color, and sheen with the consistency and convenience of factory-finished stained wood doors. Get a flawless finish and stunning results and a ready-to-install door, every time.
Meets or Exceeds Standards
Our stained wood doors are factory finished with a UV-cured topcoat and sealant that meets or exceeds WDMA TR-8/AWS System 9 standards for flush wood doors.
Order Samples
Training
Explore our wood veneer training opportunities to deepen your knowledge. We offer a range of Wood Veneer educational courses such as:
Wood Veneer 101: An In-Depth Introduction to Wood Veneer Cutting, Matching, and Assembly Methods for Doors.
Wood Veneer 102: An In-Depth Look at Wood Veneer Door Grades, Species, and Specialty Options.
Visit our training resources to learn more.
Natural birch offers an expressive, varied wood appearance with a fine texture and active, irregular grain. It ranges from light-to-yellow sapwood to darker brown, sometimes red tinged heartwood — giving each door face a distinctive natural character. It is one of the most economical veneer options where visible wood variation supports the design intent.
