Photo: Woodworking
If there’s one thing that brings timeless elegance to architectural woodwork, it’s the magic of wood veneers. Whether you’re crafting a custom reception desk, a feature wall, or entire rooms of matched panels, doors, and cabinetry, veneers offer beauty, sustainability, and versatility. But - as any woodworker knows - not all veneers are created equal.
Let’s start with a little history. Wood veneering dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who sliced precious logs into thin sheets and adhered them to less exotic wood cores. Fast forward a few thousand years, and add the significant precision from modern technology, this similar technique is still used to provide a vast variety of unique grains with a large variety of wood species that may otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable.
Today, veneers offer not only visual appeal but also environmental benefits. By maximizing yield from premium logs and reducing waste, veneers are a sustainable solution that meets both design ambitions and eco-conscious goals. And in the world of architectural woodwork, they open a door to endless aesthetic possibilities: book matching, slip matching, balance matching - each with its own visual rhythm and complexity.
Veneers also provide more stability which is critically important when considering function. All wood products expand and contract but given that veneers are applied to substrates, they are less susceptible to warping, splitting or cracking compared to solid wood. With great beauty comes great responsibility. How do you ensure the veneer on your project meets the intended grade? This is where NAAWS (North American Architectural Woodwork Standards) and our GIS (Guarantee and Inspection Service) truly shine.
AWMAC’s GIS inspectors are trained to assess veneer characteristics - figure, grain, color consistency, flitch sequencing, matching techniques - and determine how these details align with specified grades in NAAWS. Whether your specification calls for Premium or Custom, the difference can significantly impact the final look and client satisfaction. It’s not just about “what looks good” - it’s about meeting standards that ensure performance, longevity and intent.
Our GIS team acts as the neutral third party - an expert set of eyes who can walk the line between design vision, shop capability, and standard compliance. It’s all part of the quality assurance process, ensuring every project lives up to its promise.
In the ever-changing world of design and construction, wood veneers remain a timeless material - combining history, artistry, and innovation. The next time you admire a perfect veneer match of grain flowing across a wall, on a cabinet face, or a reception desk, consider the standards and practices that went into this constantly evolving practice to ensure it all comes together flawlessly.
And speaking of standards…AWMAC, in partnership with the Woodwork Institute, will be releasing a brand-new edition of NAAWS this June. This updated version reflects evolving materials and methods of the architectural woodwork industry. Watch for the new edition to download soon!
