Q&A

The following are some of the questions we are frequently asked. Though if you would like specific information relating to your project or would like one of our sales representatives to contact you please call the ELTON Group office from anywhere within Australia on 1300 133 481.

Is Eveneer made from real wood?
Yes, it is made from veneers of natural wood and preserves all the typical characteristics of natural wood: its main advantages compared to natural wood are surface homogeneity, more even colouring and standard dimensions. The process of creating Eveneer comprises an initial peeling followed by slicing, that is why it is known as reconstructed, reconstituted, recon or recut.

Can Eveneer be finished using the traditional polishing systems used for other types of wood?
Yes it can, without causing any significant changes.

Does Eveneer require special polish?
No it doesn’t. It only requires a polish with high wetting power and good resistance to yellowing which has already been designed for deep pore wood or light-coloured wood such as maple and birch. Please note that the use of good UV absorbers in the topcoat increases the resistance of finished products to light.

Can Eveneer be finished with water-based polishes?
Yes it can, without causing any problems, but bear in mind that specific hardwood emulsion must be used, since this wood usually has a slightly acid reaction.

Is Eveneer as resistant to working environment exposure as the main natural wood species?
When used for internal cabinetry and finished using the correct quantity of polish with the aforementioned characteristics, the answer is Yes. Obviously, the quantity of polish applied and the polishing methods used produce substantial qualitative differences in terms of strength, abrasion, permeability, etc.

MANUFACTURING

Peeling
The logs selected are rotary peeled into thin sheets with a peeling machine and then cut into the sizes required for the manufacturing process.

Toning
The core of this process is in the toning of the sheets to obtain the required shades of colour. Thanks to the constant research on wood toning carried out by the manufacturer, toning systems based only on water cycles have been developed.
Wood sheets are impregnated by immersion into steel tanks at controlled temperatures with the addition of soluble colours made of an organic structure and therefore without chrome or other heavy metals.

Drying
During the retoning process, moisture reaches 100%. Through the drying of the retoned veneer sheets in hot air dryers, the excess moisture is eliminated. After coming out of the drying tunnel, retoned veneer sheets undergo a further quality selection.

Composition
According to the wood species to be reproduced or the selected design, the retoned veneers are mixed, superimposed with the same fibre direction and piled up for pressing.

Gluing
The pack of sheets is then put into a gluing roller that spreads some glue on each sheet. The gluing operation serves two important functions: it transforms the pack of sheets into a monolith and determines particular patterns according to the colour of glue used.

Pressing
The block of glued sheets is put into a flat press or presses with particular moulds according to the design to be obtained.

The different moulds determine the crown and/or burl designs.

At the end of this stage we have a compact rectangular block a few metres long and about 700mm wide and high.

Slicing
The compact rectangular block is squared and sanded before being sliced or sawn to obtain veneers or boards.

Final Control
Every sheet undergoes accurate quality controls and, if necessary, is repaired by experts using cabinet making techniques.

CROWNS

Most Eveneer veneers exhibit a straight (also known as quartered) grain, while some have a pattern known as crown. In conventional veneers, the crown is caused by the tapering shape of the tree and in Eveneer this pattern is replicated in the manufacturing process. Our pattern diagrams give an indication of the full leaf pattern – 2 leaves make up a full panel. Please indicate on your drawings direction of the grain and how you would like your crowns to appear on the finished joinery item. It is possible to change both the direction and spacing of the crowns, if the application requires, in which case you should discuss the layout of the veneer with your joiner.

↑  Pattern Diagrams

EDGING

Matching veneer edging is available for Eveneer products in 0.5mm and 1.5mm thickness.

REACTION TO LIGHT

All timbers change colour over time when subjected to direct and indirect light, both natural and artificial. In addition, heat and humidity will accelerate the ageing process and finished colour may also be affected by such things as staining, polish, excessive heat in panel production and reaction to glues and other chemicals. Some timber colours change more than others. To minimise this change we recommend the use of a toner in the finishing system as well as sufficient amounts of UV inhibitor in each coat of polish at a percentage recommended by your qualified polisher. However, we stress that no timber products or finishes will withstand prolonged exposure to light without exhibiting some change over time, therefore, we do not recommend the use of Eveneer in areas subject to high light exposure.

RAW MATERIALS

Harvesting of logs is designed to protect the environment and regenerate the species used.

POPLAR 

Poplar has been cultivated for decades in Italy using agricultural methods. The Italian plantation poplar, populus sp. euro-americana, is grown in high rainfall areas, mainly in the Pandania Plain, Northern Italy, as a crop alternative to corn, rice or soya. Trees are harvested every 10 – 12 years. The plantations are SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance) certified for environmental sustainability. SGS founded in 1878 are the world’s leading independent environmental inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

AYOUS

These veneers come from a single specie of tree and are not purchased on the open market but are sourced from the manufacturer. The Cameroon forest concessions are operated under a strict and detailed forest management plan in accordance, with Cameroon forestry regulation (Law No. 94/01– decree 95/531) designed to achieve maximum sustainability and the lowest environmental impact. The total volume of wood harvested is never greater than the wood volume regrowth in the same area.

In April 2009 the forestry and wood processing operations were awarded OLB certification.

ADHESIVES

The adhesive used in the manufacturing process is a special formula of low formaldehyde urea resin.

DYES

Dyes are water based aniline, similar to those used in textiles with no organic thinners, chrome, heavy metals or chlorines. These dyes meet the strict German law of Aromatic Amine, Faberstoffeverboliste, DTD July 27, 1994.

SAMPLES

To help with your selection, Eveneer items are available in 100mm x 100mm polished samples. The polish used is a high quality acrylic polyurethane in a 5% gloss level.

Samples are sent by Australia Post regular mail service. Sample requests received before 2pm will be processed same day. To order samples click on the Order Sample tab on the desired product and add to sample cart. At the end of your session proceed to sample cart, at the top right hand of your screen, fill in your details and complete your sample order.

If you require raw veneer samples: A4 size to replenish your Eveneer binder or A6 size to replenish your Elton Group binder, please call us on 1300 133 481 or email enquire@eltongroup.com

Polished samples supplied by Elton Group are not warranted as representative of the finished article. If your client is happy with the veneer selection, it is important for you to arrange a polished sample of the veneer specified, indicative of the finished product, be provided by the cabinet maker responsible for the project. It is recommended that you also run fabrication tests to determine the potential for colour change in your specific application.