When working with wood, whether you are working with solid hardwood or just wood veneer, it is important to keep in mind what the properties of the wood are and what your intended purposes are for the project.
For instance, let’s say you love the look of rustic pine. That doesn’t make it a choice wood for building outdoor furniture because, even though pine is cheap, easy to work with, and readily available, it is particularly susceptible to rot, insect infestation, and UV-related deterioration.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some particularly rot-resistant wood veneers that make a great option when you need something not only physically tough, but resistant to microbial attack.
Mahogany Veneer
Mahogany veneer, also called Khaya, does not just offer rich reddish-brown aesthetics; this exotic hardwood is renowned (and beloved) for its durability and rot resistance.
Mahogany is an exceptionally dense wood, typically between 500 and 800 kg/m3, so dense, in fact, that most grades sink in water.
This density (and hardness) is in fact one of the keys to mahogany veneer’s rot resistance. The grain is so tight, and so dense, that it resists moisture absorption, which is the precursor to decay.
For this reason, mahogany has often been used to produce high-quality furniture and other architectural staples. It is hard, durable, and unlikely to rot.
For what it’s worth, mahogany wood veneer sheets, like the solid hardwood, also offer serviceable insect resistance as well.
Teak Veneer
Teak veneer is another exotic hardwood that is as beloved for its mechanical and chemical properties as it is for its beautiful luster.
Teak, like mahogany, is another close-grained, exceptionally dense tropical hardwood. As such, it resists moisture absorption and shows remarkable resistance to decay.
In fact, it would be with little embellishment to make the claim that teak is superior in this regard to mahogany and one of the best of all moisture and rot-resistant woods.
For this reason, teak has been widely used in the past to produce trappings, trimmings, decks, and spars for boats. It still is, where available, and even after of years of exposure to marine environments, teak often will not rot.
It has been used in the past to produce aircraft carrier decks. That alone should vouch for its quality.
Cedar Veneer
While it is lighter, softer, and not nearly as strong as either teak of mahogany, cedar veneer, also called aromatic cedar, might actually take the cake for rot resistance.
Part of the secret to cedar veneer is its chemical constituency. It is very soft and not entirely non-absorbent, but the wood naturally produces an oil known as cedrol, which is an exceptionally potent antimicrobial, antifungal, and insecticidal agent.
In fact, it is so powerful that most insects will flee before it. This is why people sometimes hang cedar hangers in their closets. It keeps the moths and silverfish away like no other.
A little cedar veneer is perfect for lining a chest or a cabinet. Even the thin slices of veneer have enough cedar oil in them to keep most pests far, far away.
And, on top of that, cedar is unlikely to rot, even in adverse conditions. In fact, the wood is so resilient that there are still bogs and swamps in the world where cedar logs, which have been submerged for ages, are mined and recovered.
Redwood Veneer
Redwood veneer, though expensive, is another excellent species with great rot-resistance properties.
Redwood’s secret is similar to cedar’s. It contains natural tannins in its fibers that not only give the wood its characteristic rusty-red color, but which also repulse the growth of fungi and microbes.
In fact, redwood is not just resistant to rot and decay, but to insects and fire as well. It is an impressively strong and resistant wood by all counts, and makes an excellent veneer choice for a wide range of applications – not to mention it is redeemable not least for its beauty.
White Oak Veneer
White oak makes this list only by relatively comparison. Alongside the four previously enumerated species, white oak is actually rot-prone.
But, all things considered, and alongside other hard and softwoods like bamboo, pine, spruce, fir, and even beech and ash, white oak is surprisingly strong and resistant to decay.
It does not have the same properties of insect, fungus, and rot-resistance as cedar, especially if it becomes wet – but if it is well cared for, well conditioned, and mostly protected from humid environments, its beauty and luster will last for many years, and it will not rot.
High-Quality Hardwood Veneers Online
Interested in learning more about these (and other) rot-resistant wood veneers? Get in touch with Oakwood Veneer at the previous link or by phone at 800-426-6018. They sell a wide range of hardwood veneers, including exotic veneers like teak and mahogany veneers.
Check out their collection and reach out to them directly if you have any questions.
