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GlossaryMahogany
Veneer Specification
Description
Considered an exotic hardwood, Khaya Mahogany is sourced from the tropical West African forest range. Mahogany's visual beauty stems from its deep, rich colors and the absence of any dominate grain or undesired natural characteristics. Veneer is selected from only the heartwood which can range from light pinkish tan to a deep reddish brown color. Mahogany veneer darkens with exposure to light. Grain pattern is mainly straight but, can also appear irregular, inter-locking or indistinct. It is not unusual for a single veneer flitch to exhibit multiple grain patterns. The grain is typically highly diffused, with multiple color tones ranging from golden tan to a dark chocolate brown. Naturally occurring ribbons of diffused, light and dark colored grain can result in a striped pattern known as Benin figuring. On occasion, solid grain colors may also appear within the veneer. Mahogany has a diffuse-porous, open grain and a moderately coarse surface texture. The occurrence of most natural characteristic are typically limited with regards to size and frequency.
Woodport Grade
Select. Uniformity Density = 2.0/Square Foot.
All veneer shall be heartwood and selected to enhance the uniformity of color and appearance of the finished end product. Veneer flitch may range from light pinkish tan to a reddish brown color. Veneer shall not contain grey or dark brown stains. Components manufactured using multiple veneer flitches shall closely match in color and figuring. Grain color shall be diffused, and may be slightly lighter or darker than the overall veneer flitch color. Solid dark brown or black colored grain lines are not acceptable. Preferred grain pattern is relatively straight and vertically oriented. Rotary grain patterns are allowed but, must not be conspicuous or detract from the overall finished appearance. No open knots, voids, splits, cracks, bark pockets, ruptured grain or areas of decay. Subtle, very faint cross bar and curly figuring is allowed. Limited amount of cross directional grain fleck is allowed. All natural characteristics shall blend with the veneer flitch color. No dark brown or black colors are acceptable. Natural characteristics and figuring shall be limited in size and frequency as stated. Natural characteristics and figures shall appear random, not patterned, across the surface of component area. All excess adhesive shall be removed from the surface of the finished component. Natural characteristics shall not detract from an overall, pleasing to the eye, finished component appearance.
Not Allowed
- Bark Pockets
- Cracks/Splits/Checks
- Doze/Dry Rot
- Fillings
- Gum/Resin Spots
- Honeycomb
- Knot holes (voids)
- Open Defects (voids)
- Ruptured Grain
- Ruptured Shake
- Worm Holes (voids)
- Worm Tracks (voids)
- Black Color
- Dark Brown Color
- Heavy Knife Marks
- Heavy Machining Marks
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Allowed
Knife / Machining Marks:
Shallow surface imperfections in veneer flitch which may be removed through light surface sanding are allowable.
Blended:
Small conspicuous burls, circular displacements and grain swirls are allowable up to a maximum of 5/8" diameter. Must be sound/tight, (no voids). All figures to blend with the natural veneer flitch color and be no darker than the grain color. Figures which are very dark brown or black in color are not acceptable. No figure to produce a shimmered veneer surface texture. Figuring not highly desired in this grade. Maximum number per finished component size as follows:
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 46" and up |
Benin Grain Pattern:
Vertically oriented, patterns of diffused light and dark colored grains are allowable. Care must be taken when splicing multiple veneer flitches to develop a overall pleasing to the eye finished component. Book match splicing should be utilized with Benin grain figuring to best match color and grain patterns.
Cross Bar:
Conspicuous irregular cross grain pattern traversing across the finished veneer component is not acceptable. Slight, indistinguishable cross bar pattern which blends with the natural color of the veneer is allowable to a maximum of 1/8" in height and 3" in length. Must not significantly detract from overall appearance or uniformity of the finished component. Must appear random not patterned. Not highly desired in this grade. Maximum number per finished component size as follows:
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 46" and up |
All knots must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids). Knots must blend with the natural veneer and be no darker than the grain color. Dark brown or black colors are not acceptable. Knots significantly detract from the appearance and uniformity desired in this grade. Minimal number of knots desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.
Knots:
Knots, Pin:
Maximum of 1/8" diameter. Must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown or black centers.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Widths up to 7" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 2 | Widths 8" - 13" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 3 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 46" - 81" |
| 4 | Widths 25" and Up | Lengths 82" and Up |
Knots, Sounds/Tight:
Maximum of 3/8" diameter. Must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown or black centers.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 24" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 25" - 81" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 81" and up |
Knots, Cluster
Not allowed in this grade.
Glue and Adhesive Wicking
Occasional glue/adhesive wickage occurs with Mahogany due to its porous veneer structure. Appears as medium brown irregular shaped spots or bands. Adhesive dries to a clear and/or glossy appearance with a smooth surface texture. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Must be completely sanded from surface of veneer per Woodport Operating Procedure, OP-1703, Orbital Sander Operation. Care must be taken to not sand through the veneer flitch. Small, pin size deposits of adhesive remaining in knots and pores are allowed.
Mineral Stains/Streaks
Can appear as either diffused or solid colored line. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Significantly detracts from the appearance and uniformity desired in this grade. Minimal number of mineral stains/streaks desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.
Mineral Stain:
Diffused, (non-solid), medium grey to medium brown color. No dark brown or black colored stains. Allowable to a maximum of 1/4" in width and 2" in length.
| Number Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 24" |
| 1 | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 25" - 81" |
| 2 | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 82" and up |
Mineral Streak:
Solid line of dark brown or black color. Allowable up to maximum 1/32" width, (heavy pencil line), and 3/4" in total length. May be contained within a diffused mineral stain. Multiple number of small stains allowed. Combined total length of smaller stains may not exceed the stated length allowable.
| Length Allowable | Panels | Stiles & Rails |
|---|---|---|
| 1" Maximum | Widths up to 13" | Lengths up to 12" |
| 2" Maximum | Widths 14" - 24" | Lengths 13" - 45" |
| 3" Maximum | Widths 25" and up | Lengths 46" and up |
Veneer Splicing
Veneer shall be spliced to provide a pleasing to the eye appearance. Veneer shall be composed of Heartwood flitches selected to best match color and grain pattern. Veneer with Benin vertical figuring shall be book matched spliced. All veneer shall be spliced so as not to create a unnatural or stark contrast of color, grain or figure. Veneer grain shall be oriented vertically with length of component. Flitches shall not be trimmed or spliced through a figure, knot or stain greater than 1/16" in width.
Veneer Flitch Sizing
Minimum Flitch Width Allowed: 5"
Widths up to 7": No splice allowed
Widths 8" - 13": One splice allowed, centered to overall sheet width. Trim final veneer sheet from both sides to provide flitches of nearly equal width, (+/- 1/4"), and balanced finished appearance.
Widths 14" and Up: Minimum 5" flitch width. Not to exceed 5 total flitches per finished veneer sheet. Individual veneer flitches shall be nearly equal in width, (+/- 1/4"), to provide a balanced appearance.
Veneer Glue Line
Glue line shall be continuous, structurally sound with no separation or voids between flitches. Glue line must not be visible after finish sanding. Minimize excess adhesive on surfaces of veneer flitch and finished component.
| Veneer Specifications: | Panel | Stiles & Rails | Flat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade (HPVA): | Veneer Grade A/B | Veneer Grade A/B | Veneer Grade B |
| Thickness: | 1/42" or (0.0238") | 1/24" or (0.0417) | 1/42" of (0.0238") |
| Thickness Tolerance: | +/- (.005") | +/- (.005") | +/- (.007") |
| Moisture Content: | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% | 5 - 10% |
| Spliced Width Tolerance: | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") |
| Length Tolerance: | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") | +/- (1/16") |
| Cutting Method: | Plain Sliced | Plain Sliced | Plain Sliced |