They can look different. Veneer can give you a piece of uninterrupted grain which can be a big bonus in some styles. Veneer in a slab door has to have the edges finished off which isn't quite as sturdy as solid. But if it's in a framed style door (like shaker, for example), it'll usually be surrounded by solid wood which protects the weaker edges. Then you can have the swankiness of veneer without the risks. Of course there are different grades of veneer...and maybe it's cheaper for a reason....

So, what's your door style?

I'm looking at a wider Shaker style.

Why would veneer be swanky? I was looking at a cherry veneer as a cost saving measure.

Because if you get solid wood for the middle panel, they will need to be seamed because cherry trees aren't that big. If you get veneer, it will look like a solid uninterrupted piece. (If there's a seam in your veneer, it better be a super cheap cabinet or something huge like a fridge end panel (or a high end treatment like bookmatched grain).) You can get veneer big enough to cover a door, but not a solid chunk (well, I'm sure you could , but it would be $$$$$$$$).

Now, if they're talking about the frames (rails and stiles) of the shaker door being veneer, I'd avoid that. That part really ought to be solid, just for durability.

Not sure about your question, but had to stop in to say I love your screen name! I wouldn't routinely dry your towel over the top of a veneer rail/stile door, but I don't think the center panel alone makes much difference functionally.

I'm sure once the experts all weigh in there will be a difference to consider.

Little difference in overall durability. A lot depends on what stain and if they are usong rotary cut veneer of flat sawn. If rotary the grain of the panl will be differant, natural and light stains will age differantly than the solid wood (though less noticeable in cherry).
OTOH- with mid tone stains, in some brands, the panel will start out a diiferant color than the frame. Depends on brand and color, again cherry is less trouble than say maple.
My kitchen has a darker mid tone , cherry, with rotary veneer panels that looks great after 9 years.

fori - Thanks for the description. Since there would be multiple pieces, I'm guessing that would be the environmental aspect. More pieces, more areas for expansion and contraction?

williamsem - A good hitchhiker never leaves their towel lying around. They keep it on their person at all times. You never know when you'll need it. :)

jackuvall - Thanks for the note on stains. I'm looking at a lighter mid-tone.

zaphod, you may need another towel for that second head, lol.

I could be wrong, but one reason the frame and panel styles overall work so well is that the panel on the inside is not so snugly fitted that it can't expand when it wants to, whether solid or veneered. With painted doors, you might see cracks in the paint along the joints, but in stained wood they usually aren't visible. Expansion becomes more of an issue with the slab style doors (the ones without the frame) because they don't have anywhere to expand and can end up warping.

I don't think it makes much difference with Shaker or other frame and panel door styles whether or not the middle is a veneered piece or solid since the expansion space is part of the design. Maybe some cabinet pros can speak on that topic?