Exploring the Natural Features of Spotted Gum and Other Sliced Veneers to Make Your Projects Unique

Author: William Ramos

Sliced veneer is used in decorative applications because it expresses the inherent magnificence of timber, and when executed well, it adds elegance and the feel of immense luxury without spending too much on any commercial or residential project's real wood application.

The sliced veneer is made with a thin layer of the exotic and rare wood variety of timber and is placed on top of a low-grade substrate with the help of adhesives and additives. Under controlled heat and pressure conditions, the sliced veneer is pressed together to form decorative veneer sheets. The grain pattern on the design of the sliced veneer will be determined by the wood log, the part of the tree from which it is obtained, and the method by which it is cut. Some of the natural features in sliced veneers that are specially highlighted by the leading supplier of sliced veneers, including spotted gum veneer include the below ones:

Bark pockets: These are openings surrounded by bark on a veneer surface, usually associated with a cracked or loose knot.

Burl: A burl represents a cross-section of abnormal growth on the sides of a tree.

Vine marks: These tightly compacted figures typically result when a winding vine compresses the normal growth pattern in the tree.

Mineral streaks: These are often blue-grayish or black in colour with elongated discoloration on the surface of the timber.

Pin knot: The pin knot has a dark center up to 1/8" in diameter.

Worm track: This is developed when certain types of wood cells, known as parenchyma, multiply to fill voids left in the cambium due to insect larva activity.

Solid knot: The knot appears dark in colour, containing cracks and bark that often fall away due to the manufacturing of sliced veneer.

Sound knot: It usually results when a live limb exists in the log with growth rings. The knot is most likely to remain in place during the manufacturing of sliced veneer.

Enhancing spotted gum veneer with the right finishing

Keeping these characteristics in sliced veneers, such as spotted gum veneer, will give your projects a natural look and make them unique. Spotted gum veneer is available in pale greys, off-whites, and cream shades. Its hardwood has darker colour shades like browns and red browns, whereas the sapwood is usually white. Colours in spotted gum veneer can be enhanced further by finishing it with oils, stains, paints, and polishes.

Using sliced veneers with these characteristics, such as spotted gum veneer, will give your projects a natural look and make them unique. Spotted gum veneer comes in pale greys, off-whites, and creams. Its hardwood has darker colour shades such as browns and red browns, whereas its sapwood is typically white. The coluors in spotted gum veneer can be enhanced further by applying oils, stains, paints, and polishes to the surface.

Uses and applications of spotted gum veneer

Due to its many desirable features, spotted gum veneer is used for a wide range of applications such:

  • Decking
  • Cladding
  • Pergolas
  • Flooring
  • Cabinetry
  • Furniture
  • Mouldings, and many more

Edging provides two-fold benefits to spotted gum veneers

The spotted gum veneer will last longer and be more durable if it has edging. A narrow strip of veneer placed around the edges of a panel or sheet is referred to as edging. Manufacturers use edging or edge band to cover the exposed edges of raw panel substrates such as MDF or particleboard. The addition of edging to the spotted gum veneer provides the project owners with two advantages. For starters, it is more visually appealing because, once applied, the edging gives the sliced veneer the appearance of a solid piece of spotted gum timber. Second, edging strengthens the spotted gum sliced veneer's resistance to moisture and damage. For faster application onto the substrate, pre-glued edging has a heat-activated glue applied to the back of the spotted gum veneer edge strip.

The price of spotted gum veneer will depend upon the size, quantity and application, and generally falls in the middle price range.

Choose from an extensive variety of sliced wood veneers

Matilda Veneer provides a wide selection of veneers and plywood for use in a variety of indoor, outdoor, and structural applications, as well as spotted gum veneer and sliced veneer with Chain of Custody certification. Matilda Veneer is a reputable and well-known supplier of high-quality spotted gum veneers and other sliced veneers.

Architectural veneer options from Matilda Veneer include rotary veneer, enhanced veneer, and truewood veneer. Matilda Veneer provides fire-rated solutions such as Fireply, Matilda Fireply, and Hoop Pine FR panels. Birch plywood, Matilda Ultralite, Matilda Liteply, FireplyX, and other appearance grade panels are available to you. Because sliced veneers, spotted gum veneers, and other veneer varieties featured in images are natural products, their colour and texture may vary. The grain pattern, texture, and natural features of sliced veneers obtained from the same piece of wood log may vary.