Veneer Cutting

Quarter Cut
Veneers are produced by cutting at right angles to the growth rings in the logs.  The variations in colour brought about by summer/winter growth produce a straight grain effect.

Crown Cut
Veneers are produced by slicing through logs, giving a less-straight grained veneer with more figure and, in general, a more decorative finish.

 

Rotary Cut
The log is mounted on a lathe and rotated to produce an exceptionally wide veneer.

Veneered Medium Density Fibreboard

We hold a comprehensive range in stock at all 10 depots.  The most popular veneers are listed below.

• American & European, quarter and crown cut Oak
• American & European Ash
• Maple
• Cherry
• White & Steamed Beech
• Pine
• Quarter & crown cut Sapele
• American Black Walnut
• Wenge

Decorative boards are available veneered on standard, moisture resistant, exterior, flame retardant and light MDF.

We are also able to offer more exotic decorative veneers such as Zebrano and Pippy Oak.  We are also able to offer pre-finished boards to order.

A wide range of boards that carry FSC or PEFC accreditation are also available from stock.

We can supply Veneer swatches if required to help you choose the correct veneer specification.

Please speak to your local branch for specific details.

Finesse Boards Terminology

Our range of decorative veneered MDF has expanded at all sites to include a board to suit all needs and budgets, which now includes a panel produced exclusively for James Latham - Finesse.

Our own brand Finesse range of panels is produced to a very tight set specification put together by our veneered team who worked with our supply base to ensure an extremely high level of both quality and consistency.

All our 'Finesse' veneers are taken from our suppliers own selected logs, or from carefully selected other sources.  They are firstly graded on their visible appearance before being edge glued, carefully book-matched and converted into lay-ons with stitching.  Once the lay-ons are completed only those that meet a strict criteria are selected for 'Finesse' panels - this criteria includes natural defects, natural colouration, veneer leaf width and, just as importantly, the aesthetic appearance of the panel.

On some species we might also specify the percentage of the panel that is crown or quarter cut, whether sapwood is allowed or whether full or half-crowns are preferred.

Only once a batch of lay-ons are approved are they sent for veneering, the boards are veneered in batches and each batch is carefully marked to clearly show the boards that have come from the same veneer flitch and therefore the same tree, to give maximum consistency.

All panels are then quality-control checked post-production and it is only after all this close scrutiny that we are pleased to brand these boards as 'Finesse'.

Products Available from James Latham

Our standard board sizes are 2440 / 3050 x 1220mm with other sizes including 3050 x 2070mm to order.  Thickness range varies from 4 to 31mm, with thinner and thicker boards being available to order.  We also offer a bespoke 'cut-to-size' service and further processed panels.

James Latham aim to supply veneered products to meet the specific requirements of their customers.  Veneer selection and grading will ultimately define our pricing.  Our supply base has been very carefully selected with our customers needs' in mind.