Oak is a popular wood to use in the construction of furniture and other projects, but it’s not without its problems. Weight and expense often make solid oak an impractical solution, leading designers and creators to turn to oak veneer instead. But what are the benefits of oak veneer edge banding, and why should you choose this finish for your designs and projects?

The Thing About Real Oak…

Solid oak, hewn from trees of the genus Quercus (including several hundred different species of tree) is a type of wood native to the northern hemisphere. Its plentiful supply and hard nature have made it very popular. The specific genus most commonly used in the UK – white oak – has a closed grain appearance that varies in colour from light to medium brown. Colour tones vary from yellows to browns, making it a sturdy yet versatile choice. 

The thing about real oak, however, is that’s incredibly dense – around 0.75g/cm3. This is great for ensuring it is strong and resistant to rot or damage, but it does make it incredibly heavy. The natural properties of the wood are also very high in tannin content, which gives it a natural resistance to insect activity. Again, this makes it a popular choice. The problem is that combining popularity, durability, and an aesthetically pleasing finish means oak is also rather expensive. 

So, while it’s the perfect material to use to create outdoor furniture, build boats, or use for architectural features like beams and flooring, it can be a very impractical choice if you’re designing cabinets, tables, and other surfaces or furniture. 

The Benefits Of Oak Veneer

So, what’s the alternative to solid oak? Oak veneer boards create a finish that looks almost identical to real wood but without the expense or weight of solid White Oak. They’re created by applying a thin layer of Oak to the surface of a board material like MDF or plywood. In addition to being lighter and more economical, the boards are also relatively free of flaws – meaning you have far less waste – and they don’t warp as solid wood can in changing atmospheric conditions. 

The drawback of boards, however, is that while the surface looks stunning the edges give the game away. Enter oak veneer edge banding, the solution that uplevels any project using oak boards by concealing the innards of your plywood and MDF and creating a finish that makes your oak boards almost as hardy as their solid wood counterparts.

With oak veneer edge banding you’re getting all the benefits of using an edged board rather than solid wood, while maintaining a real-wood aesthetic and feel. The banding is extremely resilient, making it tough and unlikely to chip, scratch, or succumb to damage. It’s also incredibly flexible, enabling you to easily apply it to straight and curved edges alike.