AA Grade Veneer
The highest quality veneer grade, offering a clean, consistent appearance with minimal natural characteristics. Typically reserved for premium architectural applications.
A Grade Veneer
High-quality veneer with good color and grain consistency, allowing for some natural characteristics. Widely used in architectural millwork.
AB Grade Veneer
Veneer with more noticeable variation in color and grain than what is graded as A Grade Veneer; AB Grade includes natural features such as small knots or mineral streaks.
AC Exterior (ACX)
A sanded plywood panel with a-grade face, c-grade back, and c-grade inner plies bonded with exterior-grade glue.
Air-Dried Lumber
Seasoned naturally outdoors, in the open or under cover, without the use of artificial heat.
And Better
This designation, abbreviated “&Btr”, indicates a batch of lumber that contains an unspecified percentage of pieces that are of a higher grade than the lowest acceptable grade. Std&Btr contains some pieces of the Standard grade, and some that are of higher grades, such as Construction. The proportionate distribution of grades is not guaranteed unless a maximum percentage of the lower grade is specified in the purchase order.
Annual Rings
Annual growth rings signify one year of growth. Each year of growth has two distinct growing seasons: spring and summer. By counting the number of rings from the pith (center) to the bark, the age of a tree can be determined.
B Grade Veneer
Veneer with no open defects, commonly used for backing materials such as the back of paneling.
Back Veneer
The veneer sheet on the underside of a plywood panel, corresponding in thickness, and often in species, to the face veneer on the upper or exposed surface. Its grain runs parallel to the grain of the core, and crosswise to the grain of the cross-banding.
Backing Boards
A byproduct of wood veneer manufacturing; these thin boards are what remains of logs after slicing veneer. Backing boards are often used for thin lumber or flooring.
Balance Match
A panel layout where veneer leaves are of equal width and symmetrically arranged, but not necessarily centered. This differs from center match, where a joint is placed at the exact center.
Barber-Poling (Metamerism)
Every other leaf is turned face down with book matched veneer, exposing alternating tight side and loose sides. In many species, this gives the illusion of a dark leaf, light leaf, dark leaf, light leaf effect. Often, staining will diminish the effect, but frequently it remains quite visible.
Beeswing
Small-scale, very tight mottle figure; block mottle is similar, but larger in scale.
Birdseye
A decorative figure type common in hard Maple, and very occasionally in other species. The small, rounded, lustrous spots resemble the eyes of a bird.
Blending Pin Knot (Inconspicuous)
Sound knots 1/4″ or less that do not contain dark centers. These knots are hardly detectable at a distance of approximately 6′ and do not seriously detract from the overall appearance of the panel. These are permitted in all grades.
Blister
This figure type has the effect of being blistered due to uneven contour of the annual rings. Usually cut rotary or half-round.
Block Mottle
A highly desirable figure type in characterized by irregular, checkerboard-patterned blotches that run across the grain.
Board Foot
The unit of measurement for hardwood lumber. A board foot is 1’ long x 1’ wide x 1” thick.
Book Matching
The most widely used method of veneer matching. Adjacent veneer leaves are folded out like opening a book, or flipping a page, which creates a mirror image between the sheets of veneer. This gives a light and dark effect due to the light reflecting from the fibers which slant in opposite directions. This match may yield color variations in some species which may be minimized by proper finishing techniques.
Boule Lumber
A log that has been sawn into slabs and then reassembled in its original order for sale; offers superior grain and color matching.
Bow
A form of warp that describes where a board curves lengthwise from end-to-end along its face, causing the center to rise or dip relative to the ends; a warp along the length of the face of the wood.
Box Match
Veneer cut into triangles creates a box shape.
Broken Stripe
This figure type is a modification of ribbon stripe. The markings taper out due to a twisted grain, resulting in a ribbon stripe that is not continuous, but is short or broken.
Bundle
A group of consecutive sheets of veneer (usually 24 or 32 leaves) that are sliced or peeled from the same flitch and kept together in their exact cutting sequence.
Burl Veneer
Produced from a large, wart-like growth on the trunk of the tree. The grain pattern is comprised of highly prized and decorative circular patterns or clusters when the burl is rotary cut.
Butt Matching
The veneer sheet on the underside of a plywood panel, corresponding in thickness, and often in species, to the face veneer on the upper or exposed surface. Its grain runs parallel to the grain of the core, and crosswise to the grain of the cross-banding.
C Grade Veneer
A lower grade veneer with significant variation and visible characteristics, often used where a rustic or natural look is desired.
Cambium Layer
This layer between a tree’s bark and its inner wood is the lifeline of the tree while it is growing. New layers grow over the old layers; what was once the cambium becomes the sapwood.
Carbon Sequestration
The process by which trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as carbon in their fibers. This stored carbon remains locked within wood products throughout their usable life.
Carbon Sink
A carbon sink is any natural material or system that absorbs and stores more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases. Wood products—such as lumber and veneer—act as carbon sinks by storing carbon captured by trees during growth, even after the wood is harvested and used in finished applications.
Casing
Trim applied around the tops and sides of windows and doors.
Cathedral
A grain appearance characterized by a series of stacked “V” and inverted “V”. This pattern is common in flat cut (plain sliced) veneer.
CD Exterior (CDX)
A grade of plywood; the standard grade of plywood sheathing. The “CD” represents the grades of veneer used for the face and back, respectively. The “X” signifies that an exterior-type glue has been used. However, despite the exterior glue, CDX plywood is classified as an interior type plywood and is intended to withstand only incidental exposure to weather.
Ceiling
A piece of patterned, tongued and grooved lumber, used to cover the ceiling of a room in older houses.
Center Matching (Panels)
Each panel face is made with an even number of flitch sheets with a center line appearing at the midpoint of the panel and an equal number of veneer sheets on each side of the center line. The number of leaves on the face is always even, but the widths are not necessarily the same.
Checks
Small slits running parallel to the grain of wood, caused chiefly by strains produced during seasoning.
Clear
Free or practically free of all blemishes, characteristics, or defects; a select grade of lumber.
Clear Heart
The highest grade of Redwood. Finish, paneling, and ceiling of this grade are often used for interior and exterior trim and cabinetwork, where the finest appearance is important.
Color Matching
The process of adjusting stain or finish to achieve a consistent appearance across different wood components.
Combination Core
A hybrid panel construction that blends veneer core layers with MDF or particleboard crossbands. This design balances the strength of veneer core with the smooth surface of composite materials.
Construction Heart
A grade of Redwood consisting of all heartwood. Because of its high resistance to decay and insects, this grade is often used in applications where the wood will be exposed to the elements.
Cores
A byproduct of wood veneer manufacturing; these cylindrical chunks of wood are what is left over after peeling. Cores are often used by woodturners and woodcarvers.
Crook
A form of warp that describes a deviation edgewise from a straight line from end-to-end of a piece of lumber; a warp along the length of the edge of the wood.
Crossband (Crossbanding)
Layers of material placed between face veneer and the core, with grain running perpendicular to the face. Crossbanding improves panel stability and helps prevent warping.
Crossbreaks
A separation of wood cells across the grain. Such breaks may be due to internal strains resulting from unequal longitudinal shrinkage or to external forces.
Crossfire
A type of figure that extends across the grain rather than along the grain; mottle and fiddleback are often called crossfigure or crossfire. Often highly sought after in decorative veneers.
Crotch Veneer
This is produced from the portion of the tree just below the point where it forks into two limbs. The grain is twisted, thus creating a variety of flame figures. The pattern often resembles a well-formed feather. The outside of the block produces a swirl figure that changes to full crotch flame figure as the cutting approaches the center of the block. Especially valuable in Mahogany.
Crown
Another term for flat cut (plain sliced) veneer.
Cup
Deviation flatwise from a straight line across the width of a piece of lumber, measured at the point of greatest distance from the line.
Curly Grain
Ornamental figure in wood due to the fibers forming irregular curves or undulations. Large undulations produce “wavy” grain.
Dado
A groove cut into one piece to accommodate another piece. A dado is three-sided and cut into a board, usually across the grain, as opposed to a rabbet, which has two sides and is at the edge of the board.
Defect, Open
Open joints, knotholes, cracks, loose knots, wormholes, gaps, voids, or other openings interrupting the smooth continuity of the wood surface.
Delamination
The separation of the layers of veneer in a plywood panel at the glueline, usually caused by moisture, mismanufacture, or defective glue.
Demarcated
Refers to the distinct boundary lines that separate different types of wood, such as sapwood from heartwood.
Density
Lumber classified as “dense” has six or more annual rings per inch, plus one-third or more summerwood, measured at either end. Pieces averaging less than six rings per inch also qualify if the rings average one-half or more summerwood.
Diamond Match
This is usually done with straight grain veneer. If a rectangle of veneer is divided into 4 quadrants, the veneers can be matched at an angle to the quadrant line, and the grain forms a “V” at these lines. The result is a diamond shape formed by the grain directions.
Discolorations
Any change in the normal color of wood. It may be due to fungi or chemical action. In softwoods, abnormal color (except “blueing”) usually denotes decay.
Double-End Trimmed (DET)
Passed through saws to be smoothly trimmed at both ends, commonly in length increments of 2′.
Dry
Seasoned lumber, usually to a moisture content of less than 19% or more.
Dry Kiln
A chamber in which wood products are seasoned by applying heat and withdrawing moist air.
Dye
A transparent coloring agent that soaks deeply into wood fibers, often producing more vibrant and uniform color than stain.
Edge Banding
A thin strip of wood or veneer applied to the exposed edges of panels to conceal the core material and create a finished appearance.
Edge Grain
Vertical grain; wood cut so that the wide surfaces are approximately at right angles to the growth rings.
End-Matched (Lumber)
Lumber that has been matched with a tongue at one end and a groove at the other to provide a tight end-to-end fit between pieces.
End Matching (Veneer)
Joining veneer leaves end-to-end to create longer continuous sheets, often used for tall panels or doors.
Engineered Veneer
A manufactured veneer created by dyeing and laminating fast-growing wood species, then slicing them to produce consistent color and grain patterns; also called Reconstituted Veneer.
Face
The better side of a prepared piece of wood. Also, veneer spliced to a certain pattern and cut to exact size.
Fancy Butt
A shingle with the butt end machined into a pattern. Fancy butt shingles are usually used on sidewalls to form geometric designs in the shingle pattern.
Fiddleback
A type of figure used for the backs of violins; visible, regular streaks run across the grain. Sometimes called “crossfire.” This fine, wavy grain is common to Sycamore, Mahogany, and Maple, but occurs sometimes in other woods.
Figure
Figure is the wavy texture across the face of the veneer that looks like an uneven surface, although it is smooth. The 3D effect is because of reflected light on the uneven arrangements of the fibers. Generally speaking, the value of wood significantly increases when figured, and there are many variations of figure.
Finger Joining
A method of joining two pieces of lumber end-to-end by sawing into the end of each piece a set of projecting “fingers” that interlock. When the pieces are pushed together, these form a strong glue joint. This is also done with veneer.
Fire Retardant
A chemical applied to lumber or other wood products to slow combustion and flame spread.
Flake
Flake figure is developed only in species that have substantial medullary ray growth, specifically Oak, Lacewood, and Sycamore. When the knife cuts directly on or near the radial, it is close to parallel with medullary ray and therefore develops the “flake” effect.
Flat Cut (Plain Sliced)
The most common method of veneer manufacturing, producing a grain pattern known as cathedral (or crown). Each leaf in the flitch is similar, therefore a consistent and even matching pattern is possible. Flat cut veneer is ideally suited for wall panels and furniture.
Flitch
A log, or part of a log, trimmed and prepared for conversion into veneers. After cutting, all bundles are laid together in sequence as they were sliced.
Free of Heart Center (FOHC)
Lumber sawn to exclude the pith, or heart center, of a log.
Grade Marked
Lumber or plywood that has been graded for quality and/or specific use and marked with certain symbols attesting to that quality. Such lumber is marked with a grading association or agency stamp.
Grain
The size and arrangement of the cells of the living tree. Woods fall into three groups: Fine grained (Birch, Cherry, Maple, etc.), medium grained (Walnut, Mahogany, etc.), and coarse grained (Oak, etc.). Coarser grained woods can usually be cut to develop a more prominent pattern.
Green Lumber
Unseasoned; not dry. Lumber with a moisture content of 19% or more.
Green Tally
The actual board feet measured before kiln drying; also called Gross Tally.
Half-Round Slicing
Similar to rotary peeling, also produces a high veneer yield. Primarily used to add width to narrow stocks by increasing the plane of cut, and can be used to enhance a particularly wild grain pattern. Matching is possible because the leaves are kept in sequence. Half-round cutting may also be used to achieve flat cut veneer appearance.
Hardwood
General term used to designate lumber or veneer produced from broad-leafed or deciduous trees in contrast to softwood, which is produced from evergreens or coniferous trees.
Heart Stain
A naturally occurring discoloration found in the heartwood of certain species.
Heartwood
The inner part of trees that normally does not contain living cells. This portion of the tree is contained within the sapwood; this term is sometimes used to mean the pith. The heartwood is dormant and unnecessary for continued life; the living part of the tree is contained in its outer parts. Also called true wood.
Herringbone Match
Veneer strips are used and matched to both sides of the center line, at an angle. The resulting appearance is reminiscent of the bones of a fish as they are attached to the back bone.
High Density Fiberboard (HDF)
An engineered wood product made by compressing wood fibers, resin, and wax under high heat and pressure, resulting in a dense, smooth, and strong panel.
Inconspicuous (Blending Pin Knot)
Sound knots 1/4″ or less that do not contain dark centers. Inconspicuous or blending pin knots are hardly detectable at a distance of approximately 6′ and do not seriously detract from the overall appearance of the panel. These are permitted in all grades.
Kiln-Dried Lumber
Lumber that has been seasoned in a kiln to a predetermined moisture content.
Knot
Occurs from a branch or limb embedded in a tree that is cut through during the process of manufacturing. Knots are classified according to size, quality, and occurrence. In lumber, the size classifications are: Pin knot, one not over 1/2″ in diameter; Small, a knot larger than 1/2″ but not over 3/4″; Medium, larger than 3/4″ but not over 1-1/2″; Large, over 1-1/2″ in diameter.
Knot Occurrence
Knots are classified by the way they occur; types of occurrences include: 1. Branch knots, two or more divergent knots sawed lengthwise and tapering toward the pith at a common point. 2. Corner knot, one located at the intersection of adjacent faces. 3. Cluster, two or more knots grouped together, the fibers of the wood being deflected around the entire unit. 4. Single knot, one occurring by itself, the fibers of the wood being deflected around it. 5. Spike, a knot sawed in a lengthwise direction.
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)
Structural wood members constructed of veneers laminated to make a flitch from which pieces of specific sizes can be cut.
Lamination
The process of gluing or bonding the component sections of the plywood into a single permanent unit stronger than the original wood itself.
Lattice
A small, plain, S4S moulding originally used in trellis work.
Leaf
A sliced sheet of a veneer flitch.
Long Lengths
A loose term generally referring to boards or dimension lumber longer than the lengths that are common for the species or region. In the Inland West, long lengths are widely understood to be pieces 18′ or longer. In other regions, the phrase refers usually to dimension 22′ in length or longer.
Longwood
The trunk of the tree is the part that begins just above the stump and continues to just below the crotch. Most veneers are cut from longwood by quarter, rotary, or flat cutting.
Loose Side
The side of the veneer sheet that was in contact with the knife as the sheet was cut.
Luster
Ability of the wood’s surface to reflect light, determining its shine, sheen, or “glow.”
Matching of Burls, Crotches, & Stumps
These wood figures need special treatment when being matched into faces because of their generally exotic grains. Burls and crotches have a tendency to buckle. When making a panel face, it is usually necessary to flatten and patch the veneer. These also have a tendency to develop fine hairline splits, so this veneer must be carefully handled. This extra labor usually adds to the expense of using these grains, however, the results are well worth the cost.
Medium Density Fiberboard Core (MDF)
An engineered panel core made from wood fibers bonded under heat and pressure. MDF core provides a smooth, uniform surface ideal for thin veneers and painted finishes, but is heavier and has lower screw-holding strength than veneer core.
Medullary Rays
Thin, horizontal, ribbon-like bands that run vertically through a tree. Flake figure develops in certain species because of medullary rays, such as Oak, Lacewood, and Sycamore. When the knife cuts directly on or near the radial, it is close to parallel with medullary ray and therefore develops the “flake” effect.
Microllam
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). High strength beams produced from stress graded veneers. Manufactured in 1-3/4″ thick billets with grain parallel to primary load axis. For high-load, long-span applications.
Moisture Content
The weight of the water in wood expressed as the percentage of the weight of the oven-dry wood.
Mottle
Cross-grain figure, where spiral interlocked grain combines with wavy grain to give a blotchy, wrinkled effect. The pattern can be random, or in something of a chessboard form (block mottle). The value of cabinet wood is increased greatly when it is mottled.
Net Tally
The actual, measured volume of lumber in board feet after the wood has been kiln-dried.
Open Knots
Openings produced when a portion of the wood has dropped out, or where cross checks have occurred to produce an opening.
Overlaid Plywood
Plywood with a surfacing material added to one or both sides. The material usually provides a protective or decorative characteristic to the side, or a base, for finishing. Materials used for overlays include resin-treated fiber, resin film, impregnated paper, plastics, and metal.
Paper-Backed Veneer
A thin veneer bonded to a paper backing for added stability and ease of application, commonly used in paneling and furniture.
Parquet
A type of decorative flooring constructed from a thin top layer of real hardwood (veneer) bonded to a stable core material, such as plywood or high density fiberboard (HDF).
Parquet (Basket Weave) Match
Veneer cut into squares that are quarter turned from one piece to the next adjacent piece.
Particle Board
A panel composed of small particles of wood and wood fiber that are bonded together with synthetic resin adhesives in the presence of heat and pressure.
Pecky
These are areas, or pockets, of disintegrated wood caused by localized decay, or wood areas with abrupt color change related to localized injury such as bird peck. Peck is sometimes considered a decorative effect, such as bird peck in Pecan and Hickory, or pecks in Cypress.
Pentachlorophenol (Penta)
A chemical used in preserving wood; it is usually applied under pressure so that it will penetrate the wood.
Pin Knot
A knot with a diameter no larger than 1/2″.
Pitch (Resin) Pockets
An accumulation of resin in wood cells in a more or less irregular patch. Classified for grading purposes as light, medium, heavy, or massed.
Plank Matching
A veneer layout designed to resemble solid wood planks, often using wider leaves and minimal matching for a more rustic or linear look.
Plywood
A flat panel made up of a number of thin veneer sheets, in which the grain direction of each ply, or layer, is at right angles to the one adjacent to it. The veneer sheets are united under pressure by a bonding agent.
Pommele
We sometimes refer to Pommele as “blistered.” Pommele is a small- to medium-sized blister figure. The more uniform and heavy the blister, the more valuable the wood veneer. We find Pommele in large African trees such as Sapele, Bubinga, and Makore.
Premium Grade
A veneer grade classification used in architectural specifications indicating the highest level of material quality and workmanship, with strict limits on defects and appearance variation.
Quarter Slicing
This cut requires large diameter logs and produces straight grained veneers. The quarter slicing of Oak can result in the appearance of flake.
Quartersawn
Lumber sawn so that the annual rings form angles of 45 to 90 degrees with the surface of the piece.
Quilted
This figure is most commonly found in Maple. This type of figure looks like folds, and specifically blister-like patterns.
Random Lengths (RL)
Veneer and lumber of various lengths, usually in even 2′ increments. Lumber offered as random length will contain a variety of lengths which can vary greatly between manufacturers and species. A random length loading is presumed to contain a fair representation of the lengths being produced by a specific manufacturer.
Random (Mismatched) Matching
Individual leaves are randomly matched which creates a casual look. This match may be done when knots are undesired in a repeating pattern.
Random Width (RW)
Veneer and lumber of various widths. Veneer clipped in various nonstandard widths, usually less than 2′ wide. Lumber, usually for factory or industrial uses, that is sold in random widths.
Reconstituted Veneer
Another name for Engineered veneer; a manufactured veneer created by dyeing and laminating fast-growing wood species, then slicing them to produce consistent color and grain patterns.
Reverse Box Match
Veneer cut into triangles with the grain direction opposite of box match.
Reverse Diamond Match
This is usually done with straight grain veneer. A rectangle is divided into 4 quadrants. The grain direction is from the center point to the outside edge in each of the quadrants. The resulting appearance is that of a series of “V’s” formed by the grain match at the joint line pointed in at the center point.
Ribbon Stripe
This type of figure is between broken stripe and plain stripe as a result of quarter slicing a log. It gives the general appearance of a ribbon, sometimes slightly twisted.
Rift Cut
This method is commonly used for Oak, and it can only be used on sizable logs. Produced by cutting at a slight angle to the radial to produce a quartered appearance without excessive flake. Rift cut veneer can easily be sequenced and matched.
Rip
To saw a piece of lumber along its longitudinal axis.
Ropey
This type of figure occurs when the twist in the grain of broken stripe is all in one direction.
Rotary Peeling
The log is turned in a circular motion against a knife, peeling off a continuous thin sheet of veneer. This is the most economical method of producing veneer, resulting in the highest yield. The grain is inconsistent and leaves are most difficult to match. This type of veneer is best suited for paint grade or utility surfaces.
Rough Cut
Irregular shaped areas of generally uneven corrugation on the surface of veneer, differing from the surrounding smooth veneer, and occurring as the veneer is cut by the lathe or slicer.
Running Match
The panel face is made from components running through the flitch consecutively. Any portion of a component left over from a face is used as the beginning component, or leaf, in starting the next panel.
S1S2E
Lumber surfaced on one side and two edges.
S2S
Lumber surfaced on two sides.
S4S
Lumber surfaced on four sides.
Sap Stain
A discoloration caused by fungi that does not affect structural integrity but alters the wood’s appearance.
Sapwood
The outer layers of growth between the bark and the heartwood which contain the sap. As additional layers of growth accumulate on the outer perimeter, the inner layers of the sapwood become heartwood. Sapwood is lighter in color, and the differentiation in color and thickness of the sap layer varies considerably by species.
Saw Textured
A texture put on a piece of siding or paneling by a saw or knurled drum to give it a textured, rough, and/or resawn appearance.
Select Tight Knot (STK)
A grade term frequently used for Cedar or Redwood lumber. Contains securely fastened, tight knots, often described as having a rustic appearance.
Selective Harvesting
A sustainable forestry practice that removes only specific trees—based on criteria like maturity, species, or size—rather than clearing entire stands.
Sequence Matching
The practice of using veneer leaves in the exact order they were sliced from the log to maintain consistent grain and color across panels.
Shake
A lengthwise grain separation between growth rings, or a break through the rings (radial shake), usually the result of high winds. Among the recognized types and degrees of shakes are: fine, slight, medium, open, cup, round, ring, shell, through, and pith. Also called windshake.
Sheen
The level of gloss in a finish, typically categorized as matte, satin, or gloss.
Sheathing
Plywood, waferboard, oriented strand board, or lumber used to close up side walls, floors, or roofs prior to the installation of finish materials on the surface. Sheathing grades are also commonly used for pallets, crates, and certain industrial products.
Sliced
Veneer produced by thrusting a log or sawn flitch into a slicing machine which shears off the veneer in sheets.
Slip Matching
Veneer leaves in a flitch are “slipped”. Successive veneer leaves in a flitch are “slipped” one alongside the other and edge-glued in this manner. The result is a series of grain repeats, but no pairs. Sometimes a grain pattern “runs off” the edge of the leaf because the grain patterns are rarely perfectly straight. A series of leaves with this condition could make a panel look as though it is “leaning”. In book matching the pairs balance each other.
Softwood
Lumber or veneer produced from needle and/or cone bearing trees.
Solid Core
1. The inner layer of a plywood panel which contain no open irregularities such as gaps or open knotholes, and whose grain runs perpendicular to the outer plies. Primarily used as underlayment for resilient floor covering. 2. A flush door containing particleboard or wood blocks to completely fill the area between the door skins; used in entries and as fire-resistant doors.
Solid Moulding
A moulding produced from a single piece of wood, as distinguished from finger-jointed mouldings, which are produced from two or more pieces of wood jointed together end-to-end.
Sound, Tight Knots
Knots that are solid across their face and fixed by growth to retain their place.
Species
A distinct kind of wood.
Specifying
When choosing veneer, it is important to provide specification details in order to achieve the project’s desired look. Details like cut, appearance (figure and match), grade, and finish all need to be considered and communicated to the veneer supplier.
Spliced Face Veneers
Face veneers that have been joined together in any one of several matching effects through the careful factory process of tapeless splicing.
Splits
Separations of wood fiber running parallel to the grain.
Springwood
Trees grow two annual rings per year; springwood grows during the spring and is usually the wider and thinner-walled layer.
Stain
A finishing/coloring agent that penetrates wood to enhance or alter its natural color.
Streaks (Mineral)
Natural discolorations that can occur in wood.
Stump Veneer
This veneer is produced from the base of the tree. The grain pattern is swirly, twisted, and is often accompanied by crossfire and patches of burl. The sizes are normally small.
Summerwood
Trees grow two annual rings per year; summerwood grows during the summer and is a thicker-walled layer than springwood.
Sunburst Matching
Veneer is cut into pie shapes ultimately forming a round shape. This type of matching is typically used on tabletops or prominent locations, as the work is labor intensive.
Sustainable Harvesting
The practice of extracting timber at a rate that allows forests to naturally regenerate, ensuring a continuous, long-term supply without damaging ecosystem health, biodiversity, or future yields.
Swing Matching
Every other veneer leaf is turned end-to-end; this type of matching is used primarily on horizontal surfaces.
Tight Side
The side of the veneer sheet that was farthest from the knife as the sheet was being cut.
Tongue and Groove
Lumber machined to have a groove on one side and a protruding tongue on the other, so that pieces will fit snugly together, with the tongue of one fitting into the groove of the other.
Twist
A distortion in wood caused by the turning or winding of the edges of a board so that the four corners of any face are no longer in the same plane.
V-Groove
Any of several longitudinal cuts made on the faces of pieces of lumber or plywood. The face veneer of plywood paneling is V-grooved to relieve the flat appearance of the surface; the grooving usually creates a pattern resembling random width boards placed side by side. Usually, V-grooves in paneling are stained darker than the surface. In lumber, edges are sometimes chamfered to create a “V” where pieces are placed edge-to-edge. A V-groove may also be machined the length of the piece to provide decoration. A V-groove pattern may be used to form tongue and groove connections on either lumber or plywood.
Veneer
A thin sheet of wood that is rotary cut, sliced, or sawn from a log or flitch. Veneering goes back to the early days of the Egyptians, which would be approximately 3,500 years ago. Through the years and cultures, veneering has enriched furniture and architectural interiors with sheets of rare and beautiful woods bonded to other plain, sturdy wood-based substrates to form a panel.
Veneer Core (VC)
A panel core made from thin layers of wood veneer laminated together, with the grain of each layer running perpendicular to the next. Veneer core panels offer strength, screw-holding ability, and lighter weight compared to composite cores.
Vertical Grain (VG)
Lumber that is sawn at approximately right angles to the annual growth rings so that the rings form an angle of 45 degrees or more with the surface of the piece.
Wainscot
A lower interior wall surface (usually extending 3-4′ up from the floor) that contrasts with the wall surface above it; an interior wall composed of two different interior wall surfaces, one above the other.
Wane
Bark, or the lack of wood from any cause, on the edge or corner of a piece of lumber. In plywood, thin to open areas in veneer sheets that result from outer log surface irregularities.
Warp
Any variation from a true or plane surface, including bow, crook, cup, or any combination of these.
Wormholes
Holes resulting from infestation of worms.