Blackbutt Veneer: Long Lasting Solutions for Functionality and Appearance

Blackbutt is the Australian hardwood that is obtained from the tablelands of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Blackbutt veneer heartwood is pale brown, while sapwood is much paler in appearance. New England blackbutt veneer has an even texture, and generally, straight grain. Blackbutt machines well but is only for steam bending. It is a very dense hardwood that weighs approximately 800 kg per cubic metre. This added density provides blackbutt natural resistance to termites and makes it a popular choice for wood flooring. It becomes more termite resistant due to aging as the timber becomes a lot more solid over time.

As a flooring solution, blackbutt veneer is a popular choice as it offers an eye-catching colour palette. It has a very straight grain with an even texture. Homeowners choosing blackbutt veneer can look forward to a high-class appearance floor with a greater degree of style and comfort. Blackbutt veneer is extremely practical, both in function and appearance. It presents an appealing colour palette that ranges from a cream shade to a pale brown, sometimes featuring a hint of pink. It can sanded and refinished easily and repeatedly, to last for generations. Blackbutt veneer is a popular choice for homeowners looking for high quality Australian-made products. As it is one of the least-flammable types of wood, blackbutt veneer is less susceptible to fire.

The appearance of timber veneer in Australia is directly related to the method used to slice the piece. A series of leaves are kept as they are, out from the log, so the designers can control the grain pattern as it progresses during the machining process. The durable New England blackbutt hardwood is used for general construction applications, joinery and flooring.

Different ways to cut veneer slices

There are multiple ways to cut veneer slices, to produce unique and interesting patterns in timber sliced veneers. The grain appearance will depend upon how the log is cut.

Plain slicing is the most common method to use in a sliced veneer. In this method, the slice is parallel to the centre cut of a log, which produces a cathedral pattern at the centre edge, and a straight pattern at the sides. A half log is mounted with the heart side flat against the flitch table. The cut is then made with the blade parallel to the length of the log, producing a cathedral effect in the sliced veneer. Half round slicing is used to accentuate the different grain and achieve a plain sliced veneer appearance.

Quarter sliced veneers produce a straight line pattern across the face of the veneer. Some hardwood veneer species, including oak and maple, have a secondary pattern of flecks that look very attractive. Rift sliced veneer produces a straight line pattern across the face. The slicing is done slightly off the radius lines, which reduces the amount of fleck. Rotary sliced veneer is produced by slicing the log in line with the growth rings. It produces a random and broad pattern. Rift slicing also achieves a straight grain pattern but avoids the appearance of flake that occurs in some species when quarter sliced. This slicing method offers the straightest grain patterns.

To get a barber roll effect in blackbutt sliced veneer, the face closest to the outside of the log is pressed. This way, pores closest to the centre of the log are released, and two faces reflect slightly differently. For a book matched layout, an alternating light and dark pattern across adjacent leaves is produced.

A variety of timber veneer choices for your projects

Timber veneer is a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarse variety of wood. Timber veneer in Australia is used by furniture companies to create products that exude the look of genuine timber.

While choosing a supplier of timber veneer in Australia, you need to consider one who has high credibility and uses the industry’s best practices in producing sliced timber veneers and other veneer variations. Matilda Veneer has the best quality blackbutt veneer, sliced veneer and timber veneer in Australia, which you can choose from to use in your panels, walls, floorings, furniture and joinery. You should also consult the supplier for the best substrate and timber veneer in Australia, that will be appropriate for your application. Particleboard, MDF and plywood are among the most commonly used substrates.

It’s a good idea to also consult your blackbutt veneer supplier or a manufacturer of timber veneer in Australia, about the figure of the veneer. This denotes the pattern on the surface of the sliced veneer, which can affect the visual appeal of the veneer considerably. Matilda Veneer also has extensive varieties in other timber veneers and sliced veneers in Australia, including European Beech, Spotted Gum, Sydney Blue Gum, Tasmanian Blackwood, Victorian Ash, Western Red Cedar, Tasmanian Oak, Meranti, Brushbox and specialty timbers - such as Black Wattle, Cooktown Ironwood, Queensland Maple and Black Bean.