Veneer kitchens: features, varieties and interesting examples

Nowadays, veneered facades in the kitchen are becoming more and more popular. This is not surprising, because they look like real wood, smell like wood and even feel no different from wood. At the same time, the cost of the panels is very democratic and affordable for most of our compatriots.

The veneer is an MDF board with the thinnest coating not exceeding 0.6-1 mm in thickness. Technically, the slabs consist of two layers:

• MDF - small wood chips impregnated with lignin or paraffin and pressed into a solid monolithic panel;
• veneer - a thin cut of elite wood, glued to MDF and covered with enamel or varnish.

Like any other material, veneer has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include the following characteristics:

• unlike solid wood, veneer is less susceptible to cracking and warping in a humid environment - this significantly extends the life of the veneer and makes the material practical and durable;
• in comparison with ordinary plastic, as well as acrylic coating and laminate, veneer looks much more natural and more expensive, it has a pleasant texture, and in addition, it belongs to breathable materials, since it is not sealed in a polymer film;
• thanks to the wood texture, the coating is characterized by high maintainability of facades - any scratches, cracks and small chips can be easily sanded or pasted over with the same shavings, the consequences of such manipulations from the outside will be completely invisible;
• environmental safety - no harmful toxic substances are used in the manufacture of veneered facades, therefore, such a kitchen is safe for health, in contrast to the same plastic;
• the veneer can be easily cleaned of any dirt, just wash the surface with a soft sponge dipped in a mild soapy solution.

The disadvantages of veneered facades are found, as a rule, in low-grade products that were made with a serious violation of the recommended technology. Such coatings peel off rather quickly from the base and soon begin to crack. Some owners of veneered furniture note: like natural wood, veneer can darken over time. However, in most cases, the hostesses even like it, as it gives the product a noble, slightly aged look.

For the manufacture of veneer coverings are used only the most expensive and beautiful wood species:

• ash - characterized by increased durability, distinguished by an unobtrusive cool shade;
• alder - this tree is distinguished by exceptional resistance to deformation, as well as to the adverse effects of moisture, gives a pleasant impression of a velvety surface;
• oak - one of the noblest and most expressive materials of the highest strength and strength, such a coating will be durable and will not change its original appearance for many years;
• Cherry - durable and strong wood, which has a pleasant reddish tint, over time it only becomes richer and deeper;
• nut - material with a spectacular texture, presented in the richest shade palette.

Thanks to the use of modern technologies, natural coatings have been repeatedly improved - they have become more uniform, durable and at the same time decorative. Thus, it turned out eco-veneer or fine-line, which looks much brighter in modern kitchens... Although its perfectly smooth surface raises doubts about its natural origin, it is nevertheless the same ordinary wood, only before cutting it is painted and glued into blocks. Usually available and fairly soft poplar is used for the production of such material. Such a coating is much cheaper than natural veneer, at the same time it is inferior to it in density and durability.

Any veneered kitchen set looks invariably elegant and sophisticated, while the aesthetic features of the coating largely depend on the type of wood that was used for its manufacture. Shades can be as follows:

• oak is presented in a rather diverse color palette - from milky to black, an additional bonus will be its unique and deep texture, due to which the furniture looks expensive and stylish;
• alder is often used in the kitchen due to its light shades and velvety-looking structure;
• Rosewood is the best choice for housewives who want their kitchen furniture to have the perfect woody pattern;
• cherry has a dark wine tint, which looks very impressive in any interior;
• ash is characterized by the color scheme of cold light colors, therefore it is rightfully considered a universal solution for any kitchen;
• Zebrano is a very interesting option for exotic lovers, stripes are clearly visible in the structure of the tree, which will ideally fit into the most luxurious interiors;
• walnut has warm shades of grayish brown in a wide range of colors.

For furniture manufacturers, veneer has rightfully become a comfortable and functional material. The fact is that the cut of natural wood is very thin, and therefore plastic and flexible. This opens up very wide possibilities for furniture design - veneer allows you to create a variety of shapes - from straight lines and right angles to the most ornate configurations (zigzags, waves, fashionable asymmetry).

Veneer panels themselves look expensive and impressive, but in order to make the interior even more stylish and sophisticated, they resort to decor. So, decorators often use the effect of aging veneered panels using special primers or supplement them with carved elements of natural wood. If you wish, you can improve the kitchen facades by resorting to special enamels and paints.

Since veneer is primarily a tree, such a coating requires special treatment and special care. It must be cleaned daily - for this, use a soft cotton cloth dipped in plain water and lightly wrung out. If it is heavily soiled, you need to use a furniture cleaning compound - you can buy it at any hardware store. After processing, the surface is wiped dry with a cloth.

If you intend to polish the furniture, then first you must completely remove the dust with a rag, then degrease it with any alcohol-containing agent (for example, glass washing liquid), and then apply polish and rub thoroughly in the direction of the wood fibers.

For so that the veneer facade retains its aesthetic appearance as long as possible, it is necessary to avoid hot liquids, flooding and severe mechanical damage (shock and contact with pointed objects).

Veneer can be varied: light, dark, reddish and even striped.

The one-piece veneered facade looks very impressive, but it is not particularly durable. If your budget allows you - make your choice in favor of paneled or frame veneer. In this case, the panels are covered with veneer, and the edges are trimmed with plastic, metal or specially treated wood.

We have collected the most interesting examples of the use of veneer furniture in the kitchen. We hope that our photo selection will allow you to make a choice that will best suit your preferences and emphasize the design concept of the interior.

For the pros and cons of veneer facades for the kitchen, see the next video.