newbie veneer terminology question

11 years ago

My house has hollow slab doors veneered with luaun (or something similar that was in vogue in the '50s). They're a pretty good match for the real mahogany trim but are falling apart. If I replace these doors, it's unlikely I'll be able to see one before I order because they're not very popular. Anyway, there are no seams in the veneer. What is that called when it's all one single piece of veneer instead of being pieced together?

I'm wondering because in an addition I'm using cherry and there are a lot of seams in that veneer. I don't know if it's bad or not, and they are very pretty, but it's definitely a different look. I didn't think to specify when I ordered (and maybe you can't get that big a chunk off cherry anyway).

What are the terms I'm looking for? Continuous peeled stuff vs. bookmatched smaller chunks?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Al Fortunato Furnituremaker

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Right, large wide sheets with no joints are rotary cut. They are peeled off a log using a very big lathe. Other cuts are sliced cuts, plain (flat) sliced, quarter sliced, and rift sliced. Each type of cut gives you a different grain pattern. Some woods look better than others in a particular cut.

Then when it comes to gluing the sliced pieces together there are different gluing patterns. Bookmatched, herringbone, slipmatched, swingmatched, sketchmatched.

Each cut and glue up has its own unique grain pattern.

So, as far as cost goes, rotary cut is the least expensive since there are no glue up charges, hence used on hollow core doors. But rotary cut is the least visually pleasing. The grain pattern is exaggerated and distorted (IMO).

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Comments (9)

PRO
Sombreuil
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hi,
As far as I can tell you can still get hollow core veneer doors. I see that some are clearly called out as birch veneer, but this like to Home Despot shows what appears to me to be a mahogany veneer. To get the full, uninterrupted sheets of veneer, it has to be rotary cut.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/JELD-WEN-Woodgrain-Flush-Unfinished-Hardwood-Interior-Door-Slab-THDJW160700019/202036234?keyword=THDJW160700019
Casey
Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Rotary cut!

Thanks, Casey. I'd actually go for solid core this time around though. :)
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Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the info! So a rotary cut isn't likely to be used in a nicer door?
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
All depends on the quality of the door. Remember you get what you pay for!

I also reread your post and just wanted to let you know that what is being sold these days for Mahogany might not even be Mahogany. Luan is not Mahogany, not even in the Mahogany family. A lot of wood being advertised as African Mahogany is also not Mahogany. The top of the line Mahogany these days is Honduran (Central and South America) Mahogany, but needs to be certified and have a chain of custody with it.
PRO
User
11 years ago
The other name for one piece veneer is CALLED WPF or whole piece face. I like to buy prefinished maple plywood with WPF because it is less expensive and for cabinets it doesn't matter if the grain is wild.

I wouldn't buy Luan doors; they're kinda low rent for a house that has mahogany and cherry trim.
Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks guys. I think the old doors really are luaun. Maybe it was a new and exciting veneer in the '50s? I won't use it if I can't get it in a nice door but it really is a good match. Maybe it just seems like a good match because the finish is equally icky on both. :)

See, the door is kinda shot, and although you can't really tell here, the casings just need a little refinishing. They've held up well.

It's not fancy mahogany, it's casual '50s mahogany. Or maybe it isn't mahogany. If it's not actually mahogany, maybe it'll be easier to match. This is a larger chunk from a window. Wouldn't that look nice with luan?
PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
@River, never heard it called that before. Thanks, I learned something. It's tough these days for a "crusty curmudgeon" like me to learn something new.

@Fori, it certainly does look like some kind of mahogany, my guess is its something from Africa. Certainly not Honduran.
Northwest Native
8 years ago
@Fori, You are on the RIGHT track with your thinking. The trim you show, common in 1950's and 60's ranch homes, would have indeed been called "mahogany".

The confusion comes in because it's not genuine, hardwood mahogany (native to Central America), but "Philippine Mahogany". Philippine Mahogany is actually from the softer Shorea tree common in Southeast Asia. Shorea is frequently sold as "lauan", "luan", or "lawaan".

You should be able to find a good, inexpensive door like yours at a local home center or door & window dealer.

One manufacturer of this kind of door is in Oregon:

http://www.jeld-wen.com/en-us/products/interior-doors/product-lines/flush-wood-composite-interior-doors

Check with them to see if their "Tropical Wood" model is what you're looking for. They also make them with solid cores.

btw, don't judge that Philippine Mahogany until you've seen it restored. It's beautiful!

You can restore it yourself by a very light hand sanding (220 or 320 grit), finished with "old fashion" Zinsser Clear Shellac.