New cabinet veneers made with fast-growing trees

For homeowners looking to add flair to their kitchen and home cabinetry, Wood-Mode has a solution that's easy on both the budget and environment: reconstituted wood veneers.

"Our veneer products are real wood that use a man-made process to mimic rare wood species that are hard to come by naturally and are, therefore, quite expensive," said John Troxell, director of design for Wood-Mode Inc.

Recreating the effect of exotic woods through veneers makes the product more sustainable and allows the manufacturer to provide an in-demand appearance using real wood versus laminate. According to Troxell, rather than harvesting rare natural woods, the materials come from rapidly growing trees that repopulate very quickly, basically producing a "managed forest."

This process is part of Wood-Mode's commitment to responsible environmental policies and practices, Troxell said.

"In fact, one of Wood-Mode's goals is to include environmentally friendly products and materials into its manufacturing processes whenever feasible. We also seek to promote the protection and sustainability of forests and other natural resources through our suppliers," he said.

Currently, Wood-Mode's three veneer styles - rift cut, Macassar ebony, and zebra wood - are produced in Europe and shipped to the United States. The wood itself doesn't have much character, so the trees are sliced into veneers, dyed with colors, glued together and re-sliced in a different direction to create the desired grain pattern.

Troxell described the rift cut finish as a fine, straight grain without much color variation. When left natural, rift cut veneer looks similar to rift cut oak but with a more uniform grain pattern. It can be stained a variety of colors just like raw wood.

Examples of the rift cut veneer can be seen in several kitchen designs in Wood-Mode's "soft contemporary lifestyles" collection. Doors and drawer fronts can be cut so the grain runs vertically or horizontally to create contrast within a space. Plus, different color combinations can be used together with light and dark tones to complement each other within the overall design scheme.

Macassar ebony showcases a black and deep tan/camel combination graining effect created when the two colors are bonded together. The dramatic contrast of the two colors creates an eye-catching appearance. The veneer sports an undulating effect, with the colors running through in waves, not the "flame" pattern common in domestic wood.

Macassar ebony veneer is showcased on the island of Wood-Mode's new Connoisseur kitchen. In this example, the wood is complemented by black accents, stainless steel appliances and dark, warm wood tones used on surrounding cabinetry, giving it a contemporary, urban richness.

The zebra wood veneer has a light teak or warm camel color, with a deep brown running through to produce the grain appearance. It creates a distinctive modulation in color less dramatic than the Macassar ebony.

Wood-Mode recently earned certification in the Environmental Stewardship Program by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association. This program recognizes industry manufacturers that use environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes.

For information on Wood-Mode's veneer styles or to locate a Wood-Mode dealer, visit www.Wood-Mode.com.