Veneer Cabinets and Today's Modern Kitchen

With its simple definition of being thin slices of wood that are typically glued onto core panels to produce flat panels such as doors, tops and panels for cabinets, parquet floors and parts of furniture, consumers often interpret the word “veneer” as a lesser quality version of the real thing. In some cases, this is certainly the case – but definitely not when it comes to fine custom cabinetry. In fact, exotic veneers and their striking patterns 'engineered or from the finest and rarest logs' are commonly found in today's well-designed homes due to their incredible flexibility for creating contemporary interiors.

Exotic veneers, whether from a highly engineered veneer producer or from desirable natural resources, offer the advantages of presenting patterns that can be rare... and otherwise expensive – in fact, prohibitively expensive due to the rarity of the wood sources. This rarity stems from any number of reasons such as overharvesting, deforestation, government regulations, and preservation efforts to name a few. Another key reason is that slow growth rates make it difficult to replenish some species quickly enough to accommodate market demands.

The Ancient Art of Veneering

One might think that veneers are a relatively new concept, when in reality, veneering is an ancient art dating back to the ancient Egyptians who used veneers on their furniture.

Veneers have come along way over the years and today's woodworkers have developed techniques that have shown to put less stress on these valuable resources by expanding the amount of usuable wood which is of particular importance when it comes to rare grain patterns. As a result, veneers can accomodate many surface types and can be modified to suit unusual applications, spaces, or ones tastes.

Maximizing the space of the kitchen while avoiding the pitfalls of solid wood with regard to expansion and contraction, veneers can can offer a more affordable alternative than when demanding the same performance across some surfaces from solid wood – all without sacrificing the luxurious, high-end appearance. In short,  veneers provide structural attributes designed to withstand today's high usage cooking and kitchen environments.

Now that your inhibitions relating to veneer have been removed, you are invited to explore Crossroads' Equinox or Linear lines of custom cabinetry. The Equinox Line consists of both exotic engineered and real wood veneers in attractive patterns like bamboo and zebrawood.  The Linear Line consists of top quality, engineered wood veneers in a wide range of realistic exotic wood looks including wenge and teak patterns.

• Bamboo Kitchen Cabinets – With a tendency to be the most affordable of exotic veneers, bamboo is actually replenished quickly in the wild, making it less rare and therefore less costly. Bamboo is ideal for the homeowner who wants to introduce an exciting modern motif to the kitchen and is attracted to the fact that it is a highly renewable and green resource. With integrated natural elements like granite and slate or other wood tones mixed in, bamboo is very versatile and looks very chic with its strong, horizontal uniformity.
• Wenge Cabinetry – Natural Wenge is one of those woods that is highly prized and very rare. The demand for wenge wood veneer cabinets has intensified as the wood has become associated with the highest levels of sophistication. Wenge’s hallmark feature is its very close, fine grain structure. The wood itself comes in very dark to light shades. Wenge is ideal for the homeowner who wants to recreate a subtle yet sophisticated appearance.
• Zebrawood Cabinets – Another striking and popular wood, zebrawood is fun and fresh in the kitchen. In contrast to Wenge, Zebra wood veneers, like the real wood, are characterized by dark horizontal or vertical veins that are considerably thicker than classic wenge veins. Enjoyed by homeowners who wish to recreate a striking and exotic modern interior décor with big and bold patterns, zebra wood veneers are visually arresting and serve as an eye-catching focal point in any kitchen.
• Teak Cabinets – Like many hardwoods, teak is slow-growing, making it less accessible than other materials (though it is not endangered). Teak is a dense wood notable for its straight grains, consistent pattern lines and textures in a warm, yellowish-brown tone. These features are desirable for homeowners who appreciate a striking, linear design that lends itself to a clean, sleek look. In solid form, you don't get the desirable straight grain consistency; so Teak needs to be a veneer instead of solid wood for a straight consistent grain pattern that is most desirable in creating uniform, modern kitchen interiors.

When considering the best ways to achieve your requirements for function and aesthetics, don’t let the word “veneer” deter you. We encourage you to consider all the exciting possibilities innovation with veneers bring to custom cabinetry.

Crossroads Custom Cabinetry redefines the U.S. cabinet industry by making premium quality, custom cabinets widely available at greatly reduced prices. Crossroads' team of professionals are dedicated to empowering the home improvement consumer community with superior products at factory direct prices. Webinetry.com is a completely new channel ushering in a new era for the way today's American consumer can research, preview, budget, and finalize their cabinet purchasing decisions online.