Selecting & SpecifyingWood Veneer

An architect’s guide to fine wood veneer

Presented by Richard Shelley LEED AP ID+C, Feb. 26th 2014y y ,

Copyright Materials

This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws ReproductionInternational Copyright laws. Reproduction,

distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is

prohibitedprohibited.

© The Wood Products Council 2014© The Wood Products Council 2014

“The Wood Products Council” isa Registered Provider with TheAmerican Institute of Architects

This course is registered withAIA CES for continuingprofessional education. As

Continuing Education Systems(AIA/CES), Provider #G516.

such, it does not includecontent that may be deemedor construed to be anapproval or endorsement by

Credit(s) earned on completionof this course will be reported toAIA CES for AIA members

the AIA of any material ofconstruction or any method ormanner ofhandling, using, distributing,AIA CES for AIA members.

Certificates of Completion forboth AIA members and non AIAmembers are available uponrequest

or dealing in any material orproduct.___________________________________________request.Questions related to specific materials,methods, and services will be addressedat the conclusion of this presentation.

Course Description

This course teaches the five criticalThis course teaches the five criticalelements of specifying hardwood veneer.You will learn how to match veneer stylesto achieve a desired design and how toto achieve a desired design and how towrite a clear, complete, correctspecification for a project using fine woodveneerveneer.

Learning Objectives

1. Review how the AWI Quality Standards evolvedi t th A hit t l W d k St d dinto the Architectural Woodwork Standards.

2. Learn how veneer is produced from a tree.3. Demonstrate veneer manufacturing techniques3. Demonstrate veneer manufacturing techniques

and the impact on design and aesthetic factors.4. Remove the confusion around the word

“match” in veneer projectsmatch in veneer projects.5. Show how price is affected by species, cut, and

grade selected.6. Share the “Big 5” checklist for specification

success.

Integrating Over 100Integrating Over 100Years of Experience

and Application

QSI evolved into the AWS

N l tNew layoutInformation grouped and organized differently:organized differently:

GeneralProductExecutionCompliance

Why Use Wood?y

NaturalRenewableSustainableSustainableRecyclableOriginalOriginalResponsibly Manufactured

Tree Anatomyy Tree Anatomyy

Sapwood into Heartwood

Medullary RaysTree Anatomy y yy Tree Anatomyy

Types of wood fromTypes of wood fromthe tree

The location within the tree determines the grain patterndetermines the grain patternof the wood.

Tree Anatomyy

Grain patterns of longwoodDepending on the angle and direction of a cut the grain appears in a varietyof a cut, the grain appears in a varietyof patterns and depth of color.

Veneer ManufacturingVeneer Manufacturing

Types of Slicingyp gPlain or “Flat” Sliced

This type of cut slices across the diameter creating thethe diameter creating thecathedral in the grain.

Types of Slicingyp gQuarter Sliced

Quarter-Sliced

Flake Figure

Visible in the Oaks

Types of Slicingyp gRift cut

Narrow, Linear Grain Pattern

Types of Slicingyp gRotary Sliced

This cut produces wide sheets, with a ,broad pattern, making this cut very difficult for matchingdifficult for matching.

What was Intended?

Types of Slicingyp gRotary Sliced

Types of Slicingyp gRotary Sliced

It i t i l f t i i h S lIt is typical for certain species, such as SapelePommele and Birdseye Maple, to be rotary cut in order to enhance their natural characteristics

M hi T h iMatching Techniques

Matching Terminologyg gy

B k C tBookSlip

CenterBalancep

MismatchE d

DimensionR iEnd Running

Veneer MatchinggBetween Leaves

Book Match

• Most common• Mirrored joints• Symmetrical patterny p

Metamerism(Barber-Poling)

Fronts and backs of veneersFronts and backs of veneersreflect light differently.Finish rarely helpsMore pronounced in some speciesMore pronounced in some species

Metamerism

AWS Page: 73, 1.2.19.3

Metamerism a.k.a. Barber-Polingg

Veneer MatchinggSlip Match

• Often used with quarter or rift cut veneersrift cut veneers

• Leaves of veneer are placed side by side, face up

• Produces repeating grain but joints do not matchbut joints do not match

Veneer MatchinggEnd Match

• Veneers are matched end to end to create a longer length.

• End to end and side to side matching to cover large expansesexpanses

• This process has limitations

Veneer Matching – End Matchg Veneer MatchinggCommercial Application

Running Matchg

Wid h d b f• Width and number ofveneers is not a requirement.q

• Can be sequenced.• Outside veneers will

vary significantly.

Balance Match(within the entire panel)

• Each leaf is cut to equal width within the panel p

• May be even or odd number of leaves, but no partial lleaves

• Leaves may be slipped or bookedboo ed

Center Match(within panel)

• Even number of veneer leaves per panel.p p

• Joint at center of panel• Panel has a symmetrical

appearance

Special Matchesp

• Diamond• Diamond• Reverse Diamond• BoxBox• Sunburst• Book and Butt• Borders may be

addedM b l t• May be laser cut

Special Matching Techniquesp g qCommercial Application

Basic yieldsy

Running Book36 panels 4 x 8

2500 sqft flitch

Balance Book24 l 4 824 panels 4 x 8

Center BalanceCenter Balance18 panels 4 x 8

Factors which influence pricep

C $$$$Veneer Cost $$$$Veneer Yield $$$$$$Core Cost $$$Core Yield $$Core Yield $$Matching Requirements $Special Requirements $Special Requirements $

Specifying VeneerThe Big 5The Big 5

Specifying Veneerp y gWriting the Specification – The Big 5

1. Select the Wood Specie – example: American Walnut

2 Ch th C t2. Choose the Cut – example: Plain Sliced or Quarter

3. “Match” of Leaves – example: book match or slip match

4. “Match” of Panel – example: running or balanced

5 “Match” Panel-to Panel – example: sequenced and5. Match Panel-to Panel – example: sequenced and

numbered set

GradesGrades relate to American National St d d f H d d d D tiStandard for Hardwood and DecorativePlywood (HPVA)

There are no AWI grades for veneer. AWI grades relate to completed products, including finishes Their veneerincluding finishes. Their veneerspecifications refer to HPVA grades.

AWI Standards vs. Veneer Grade

Grade: AWI Premium Grade,

See: Section 4 Sheet Products and Section 8 Wall Surfacing, Architectural Woodwork Standards 1st

Edition

1 - Species: Figured Cherry 2 - Cut: Plain sliced 3 - Match Between Leaves: Book4 - Match Within Face: Balance and Center Match5 - Match Between Panels: Blueprint MatchFinishing System: System 2 Pre-catalyzed LacquerSheen: 20 Sheen (satin)

Grades used in Panelingg

• AAAA• A http://www.hpva.org/

• BPremium• Premium

• Custom http://www.awinet.org/

• Economy

AWI Grades - Matchingg

• Premium• Book Matched• Balance Matched• Sequenced, Numbered Sets

• Custom• Book Matched

R i M t h• Running Match• Sequenced Pre-manufactured Sets

AWI Grades – Veneer & Core

• Premium• AA Grade• MDF or PB• ¾ Thickness ( 11/16 core thickness)

• Custom• A Grade

MDF PB• MDF or PB• ½ Thickness (7/16 core thickness)

Veneer is cut from the best logsg

• Less than 7% of logs cut are cut into veneer.

• Less than 2% of the 7% are AA Grade.

Grades Are Subjectivej

Area of interpretation

AAA

BC

Specifying Veneerp y gObtain a Live sample

Your veneer supplier will be able to provide a sample of aYour veneer supplier will be able to provide a sample of alog in inventory according to your needs. You must provide the following information:

Species, Cut and any aesthetic preferencesyQuantity in total square footage (figuring an average 3 to 1 waste factor for common species, MORE for special species)

Maximum Length Required lineal footage (which must be sequential)

Specifying Veneerp y gDesign with Veneer in Mind

Knowing the average raw material dimensions will help guideKnowing the average raw material dimensions will help guidedesign decisions

Maximum raw veneer length available is 17 feetMaximum raw veneer length available is 17 feetMost common lengths 10-12 feetMost veneer presses are maximum 10 feetM t ti l b d i 8 10 f tMost particle board is 8 – 10 feetMost plywood is 8 feet

Th f t l d i d i i dTherefore, most panel design decisions are madeusing 8 to 10 lengths.

Specifying Veneer – Summary Tipsp y g y pWriting the Specification – The Big 5

1. Select the Wood Specie – example: American Walnut

2 Ch th C t2. Choose the Cut – example: Plain Sliced or Quarter

3. “Match” of Leaves – example: book match or slip match

4. “Match” of Panel – example: running or balanced

5 “Match” Panel-to Panel – example: sequenced and5. Match Panel-to Panel – example: sequenced and

numbered set

Specifying Veneer – Supplementaryp y g pp yWriting the Specification – Useful Information

1 Fi h i1. Figure choice – for example: fiddleback, ropey, or pommele

2. Special veneer matching - example: book & butt, diamond, random etcrandom, etc.

3. Maximum length – maximum length of finished panels

4 Specify log and vendor for control (optional)4. Specify log and vendor for control (optional)

Flitch Samplesp

• Comparable to the pre-specified veneer in that the customer sees what veneer looks like.like.

• Ensure customer is aware that flitch samples t ifi t f trepresent a specific amount of veneer; at a

specific length.

• Understand the difference between the appearance of a flitch sample and a panel, orappearance of a flitch sample and a panel, orsheet.

Flitch Samples Do Notp

• Show the color of sanded veneer.

• Show the progression of veneer widths within

a flitch.

• Show the visual appearance of the match on• Show the visual appearance of the match on

the panel or sheet.

Communication

• Any information you can give your supplier is

important.

D i h ld b l l t d• Drawings should be clear, complete, and

correct, showing the vision.

• Understand how your supplier is going to

make an order that has both 4 x 8 panelsmake an order that has both 4 x 8 panels

and 5 x 8 panels.

Communication

E t k h t h t• Ensure your customer knows what he wants.

• Ensure you know what your customer wants.y y

• Ensure your supplier knows what your

customer wants.

The AWS provides thep o des t e

How-Toffor your

creative designg

Q ti ?Questions?

This concludes TheThis concludes TheAmerican Institute ofArchitects ContinuingEd i SEducation SystemsCourse

Richard ShelleyAWI/Fetzer Architectural Woodworkrshelley@fetzerwood comrshelley@fetzerwood.com