Problems matching solid timber with veneered mdf

[johnelliott]

I've tried american white ash with its veneered counterpart, not even vaguely similar, the solid timber has lots of interesting darker bits, especially the heartwood, whereas the veneered equivalent is pale and boring, and different
Didn't have much luck with cherry either, basicallly just a different colour, I wonder where they get the material that they make the veneer from
Anyone know of a timber and its veneered counterpart that would look good together?

John

 

[DomValente]

Hi John

I've never found veneered boards or timber to match but often use the real timber as trim for example around panelled doors, or use contrasts (American white board-Black Walnut timber) Failing that try staining both with a light wash of the appropriate colour, remember,and I say this a little shamefacedly,if its for a client they rarely know the difference.

Good luck
Dom

 

[Steve Maskery]

Hi John,
This is a permanent problem, I reckon. Ash is the worst. My local gym was done out in it and it looked awful. Lots of MDF panels with a few bits of solid lipping and moulding to make fake panels. I think the best is maple - I've recently made a wardrobe and chest of drawers and it looks OK, although I've not yet sprayed the COD.

Oak would look fine if you are staining. :?

As I understand it, the main problem is that the veneer is so thin that there is no cell structure behind the face, so very open-pored woods, like ash, simply are not deep enough to display the effects of the 3D structure. Coupled with the fact that veneer logs are selected for their clean appearance, and ash in particular, can be a bit wild, you have the makings of fairly severe differences.
Cheers
Steve

 

[tim]

I would say European Oak and Maple are the only two that seem to have any similarity - or beech but then there are so many steaming, pink etc options with that that its difficult to predict.

,and I say this a little shamefacedly,if its for a client they rarely know the difference.

I've seen a lot of ABW stuff appearing with sapwood in as a 'feature' now. There's one in one of the 'Haven't I got a beautiful kitchen but Ugly mug' mags. Actually I quite like it but if it had been me making it I'd have probably spent hours sorting it all out for no real benefit.

Cheers

Tim