What's Your Favorite Veneer? Sapele Veneer is Peter's Choice

At Oakwood, there is one wood veneer species that gets recommended more often than any other, Sapele Veneer (also spelled Sapeli Veneer). Because of this, we've decided to name it Peter's Favorite Veneer.

Here are the reasons why Sapele Veneer (or Sapeli Veneer) is one of the best veneer choices on the market:

1. It qualifies as a super-value veneer, meaning it looks beautiful at a price as low as $2.49/sq ft for the quarter-cut version.

2. It is available in several varieties. In addition to quartered and flat-cut, there is also Blond Sapele, and the popular and higher-end Pomele Sapele Veneer.

3. It has a deep, striking color and grain. It's like a cherry with more character and a bit of an exotic flavor.

Which veneer species do you like best? Which is the best value, the best looking, the best burl, etc.? Reply with a comment below.

More Burl Veneer Choices: French Burl, Robel Burl, White Ash Burl, Myrtle Burl and Praline Burl Veneer

So far on the Oakwood Veneer Blog, we have highlighted several species of burl. However, there are still some that have not been highlighted and you can see from the pictures that these have very interesting patterns.

Here is some info about French Burl, Robel Burl, White Ash Burl, Myrtle Burl, and Praline Burl Veneer:

French Burl Veneer: French Burl is the premium version of Mappa Burl Veneer, as both come from the Black Poplar tree. it is a tan wood with tight clusters of medium to dark brown pillowy burl figure. Like most burl veneer species, it looks very elegant and stately, and would add a classy style to almost any type of project.

Robel Burl Veneer: Grown in Europe, this is a reddish tan to brownish red wood that has a bit more understated burl pattern than most other burls. The pattern is similar to Maple Burl but with less defined grain.

White Ash Burl Veneer: This is another understated burl, as it is a single tone blondish-tan look with light pillowy burl grain over the top. It is a great choice for those projects where one is looking to have a dignified style, but not be overly showy.

Myrtle Burl Veneer: Myrtle Burl looks quite a bit like Laurel Burl as they both have a yellow to blond look with tight clusters and a nice pattern. However, Myrtle Burl is usually a bit lighter in yellow than Laurel.

Praline Burl Veneer: This is one of the darkest burls available, in a deep dark reddish brown tone. Like Robel Burl, it is also similar to Maple Burl in grain pattern, but not in color. Praline burl can accent lighter non-burl veneers like cherry and mahogany, or other reddish varieties.

Lesser Known Veneers: Bloodwood, Primavera, Jatoba, Paldao, and Planetree Veneer

Lots of people use the veneer standards like Oak, Maple, and Cherry. Others like the exotics like Ebony, African Mahogany, and Zebrawood. But it's rare when we get a call for some of the lesser known woods, such as Bloodwood, Prima Vera, Jatoba, Paldao, and Planetree (or Plaintree). These woods are a great choice when your client is looking to have a different or unique style.

Here is some info on Five Lesser Known Veneers that you should get to know:

1. Bloodwood Veneer: Why get a dyed red wood, when you can get an all-natural beautiful deep red wood for a reasonable price. Bloodwood should be placed in an area that doesn't have too much light striking it because it will change to dark brown over time when light hits it. Bloodwood would be great to use for furniture pieces that need to stand out or for red highlight sections on larger projects.

2. Prima Vera Veneer: Prima Vera, also spelled Primavera Veneer, is sometimes called White Mahogany as it is a lighter, blondish wood that works well on cabinets and furniture, like Mahogany Veneer. Prima Vera has darker wavy grain lines that give it an exotic flavor. Therefore it would be a great choice for an exotic, light toned project.

3. Jatoba Veneer: Jatoba is also known as Brazilian Cherry Veneer. It has a nice warm, medium to dark brown hue, and is a great choice for furniture and cabinets. It is widely used in flooring, however veneers can't be used in flooring. Therefore, it would be a great choice if your client is going for a unified feel to the room, with Jatoba flooring and Jatoba veneered furniture or cabinets.

4. Paldao Veneer: Paldao is also known as Australian Walnut Veneer, although it is not truly a Walnut species. Paldao Veneer is usually a touch darker than regular Walnut and has a bit more exotic flavor to it. It is also used largely in furniture making, and has lately been used in decorative veneering as well.

5. Plaintree Veneer: Plaintree Veneer, also spelled Planetree Veneer, is similar to American Sycamore and is often used in furniture making. It is like Lacewood Veneer with the speckled grain pattern, but instead of the pinkish Lacewood Veneer color, Plaintree is usually a two-tone tan and light brown.

Can I Reface or Veneer Over Painted Cabinets?

Yes, it is fine to veneer over painted cabinets, so long as the paint is not peeling, flaking, or loose in any spots. The paint should also appear to be stable, because if it were to peel, flake, or loosen after the veneer is applied, the veneer would loosen along with it.

Many kitchen refacers use veneer with a peel and stick, or pressure-sensitive adhesive, backer for this application. Before installation, the surface should be cleaned and free of dirt or grease. It should also be lightly scuffed with medium sandpaper so that the adhesive will stick much better.

If you need the veneer to match a certain wood that is already in the kitchen, take a picture and email it to peter@oakwoodveneer.com

For more information on Pressure Sensitive Adhesive veneer, call us at 800-426-6018 or see the Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Veneer page.

Do you have any tips for those people who are new to veneering cabinets? Or questions? Ask or comment below and an Oakwood representative and/or another reader will provide a reply.

Oakwood Veneer on Facebook

If you have not yet seen, Oakwood Veneer now has an official page on Facebook. Visit the Oakwood Veneer Facebook Page today and click "Become a Fan." This allows you to see Oakwood Veneer news and blog snippets on your news feed. You can also ask questions for us or other fans, add comments, reply to others' comments, add pictures of great looking jobs that used Oakwood's veneer, click "like" on blog posts or comments, and more. Also, click "Suggest to Friends" and invite any of your woodworking friends (or all of your friends) to become fans as well.

This is a great way to build an Oakwood community, and we hope that you'll join us as a fan today!