Veneer grading
A specific industry-wide grading system does not exist for veneer: it is not sold as a commodity on the open market, but according to the requirements established by individual customers. Veneer is sold based on personal inspection or a clear understanding of grade between buyer and seller. Length, width, thickness, quantity, and other factors that affect yield and price, form the basis of this buyer-seller understanding.
The length of the log will establish whether the manufacturer will market the veneer for furniture, doors, panelling, or architectural applications. Width will also vary according to the intended end use, with the minimum width of veneer usually 90mm or 100mm.
Door and panel:
Top grades used for joinery, such as architectural panels and doors, with a minimum requirement in length for doors of 2.1m and panels of 2.5m. Within a typical panel or door grade there may well be many other sub-grades selected according to colour and grain pattern.
Furniture:
For furniture grades, length is not so critical and will typically run from 0.45m to 2.0m. There are fewer restrictions regarding natural characteristics, such as colour and grain pattern.
Falling bundle:
The term 'falling bundle' refers to a pallet or group of veneer consisting of single or odd bundles. The grade of the veneer in this grouping will likely express a wide variety of colour, character and grain variations.
The final price of hardwood veneer is determined by the natural limitations of what the forest can produce combined with the market demand. In addition, size and grade considerations weigh heavily on the final price. Only a small percentage of logs in a forest produce the top grades of veneer in terms of lengths, widths and natural characteristics. Special handling or shipping requirements and specific requests relating to length, width and/or thickness can also add to the final price.