Wood Veneer vs. Solid Wood

Wood remains one of the most popular materials used for a variety of furnishing and decorative designs and it looks great in both traditional and contemporary settings. One of the biggest debates had about wood furniture is whether to buy items made of wood veneer or solid wood. Both have their benefits so it may come down to personal choice, but to make things easier we’ve put together a comparison to help you decide.

Benefits of wood veneer

Cost efficient

One of the main reasons manufacturers opt for wood veneers over solid wood is that it lowers production costs as less wood is used to make the product. This is good news for consumers as it means the reduced manufacturing costs often lead to lower retail prices, so more people can have high quality wood veneer items in their homes.

Strong and durable

While veneers are not solid wood, they are still wood, which means they are strong and durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear around the home. Veneers also do not age as badly as solid wood and are far less likely to warp or split, so in many cases often last for longer.

Low maintenance

Solid wood furniture looks fantastic, but it can require a lot of hard work and maintenance to maintain its appearance. This isn’t true of wood veneer, and apart from applying a protective coating to increase its longevity, cleaning and maintenance needs are very straightforward.

Sustainability

If you want to make an eco-friendlier choice, wood veneers are the best option. Only the outer layer is made from wood, which means more is made from each tree trunk to help conserve natural resources – while still ensuring you get to enjoy the beautiful natural aesthetic of the material.

Benefits of solid wood

Natural appeal

People like to buy solid wood furniture because they know exactly what it is made from. Solid wood does cost more than wood veneer so it can often be down to a choice of what is more affordable for the consumer.

Durable

Solid wood can last for a very long time when well-crafted by the manufacturer and maintained after purchase by the customer. Softwood is more prone to damage compared to hardwood, although over exposure to heat and moisture can lead to splitting and cracking and the overall deterioration of the wood.

Timeless

Furniture has been made from solid wood for centuries and whether you have a traditional or contemporary décor it never looks out of place. Even when exposed to general wear and tear over prolonged periods it can add character to the piece – although this is more true of hardwoods than softwoods.  

Wood veneer vs solid wood comparison

We’ve put together a brief comparison between wood veneer and solid wood to see how the various components match up against each other: