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Poplar White

Veneer Specification

Description

White Poplar is sourced from the sapwood of Yellow Poplar. The Sapwood is graded and selected for color uniformity and natural characteristics. The veneer stems only from the sapwood of the bolt. Flitch color can range from off-white to a pale light beige. Grain patterns are mostly straight and of uniform width and spacing. Cathedral appearing grain patterns do appear with less frequency. Rotary slicing will result in very bold grain patterns of unequal width and spacing. Grain colors are diffused, but tend to be more pronounced against the lighter sapwood flitch color. The grain can range in color from light grey to tan to light olive green. Solid colors and natural characteristics appear conspicuous and are typically minimized in size and occurrence. The fine, uniform surface texture is diffuse porous and lends itself to staining. White Poplar is typically selected and stained to replicate the look of more expensive wood species.

Woodport Grade

Select. Uniformity Density = 2.0/Square Foot.

Flitches shall be sourced from the sapwood of Yellow Poplar. Components utilizing multiple veneer flitches shall be selected to best match color and grain patterns. Sapwood shall range in color from off-white to pale light beige. No grey, brown or green flitch colors. Grain may include straight, cathedral and rotary patterns. Grain colors shall be diffused, and consist of light colored grey, beige, tan and olive green hues. No dark brown, black, red, blue, purple or solid grain colors. No open knots, bark pockets, worm holes/tracks, cracks or grain ruptures. No blue or purple colored stains or mineral streaks. All figuring and natural characteristics shall be limited in size, color and occurrence, as specified. Natural characteristics shall appear random, not patterned, across the surface of the finished component. Resulting component shall reflect a minimum number of non-conspicuous natural characteristics and an overall pleasing to the eye finished appearance.

Not Allowed

  • Bark Pockets
  • Cracks/Splits/Checks
  • Honeycomb
  • Decay / Dry Rot
  • Fillings
  • Knot holes (voids)
  • Open Defects (voids)
  • Ruptured Grain
  • Ruptured Shake
  • Worm Holes (voids)
  • Worm Tracks (voids)
  • Red Color
  • Blue Color
  • Purple Color
  • Solid Grain Colors
  • Heavy Knife Marks
  • Heavy Machining Marks

Allowed

Knife / Machining Marks:

Shallow surface imperfections in veneer flitch which may be removed through light surface sanding are allowable.

Cross Bar

Conspicuous irregular cross grain pattern allowable to a maximum of 1/2" height and 3" in length. Grain pattern not resulting from visible burl or knot. Must blend with the natural veneer flitch color. Cross bars shall be patterned to appear random and natural so as not to detract from final component appearance. Not highly desirable in this species. 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

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. Figures which are very dark brown or black in color are not acceptable. No figure to produce a shimmered veneer surface texture. Minimal number of figures desired. 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

Knots:

All knots must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids). Knots must blend with natural veneer 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, 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 82" and Up
Knots, Cluster:

Maximum of 1" diameter across the overall grouping. Clusters with up to (3) knots are allowed. Knots with dark brown or black centers are allowable to 1/8" diameter.

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

Mineral Stains/Streaks

Can appear as either diffused or solid colored line. Typically oriented with the grain of the veneer. Cross grain stains and streaks are not acceptable. Various widths and lengths. Select veneer to minimize occurrence. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Significantly detracts from the appearance or uniformity desired in this grade. Minimal number of stains and streaks desired. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.

Mineral Stain:

Diffused, non-solid, grey, dark brown or black colored stains. Allowable to 3/8" in width and 3" in length. May not contain any solid line color. No purple or blue colors.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 12"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 13" - 45"
3 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 46" and Up
Mineral Streak:

Irregular shaped spots or a solid line of dark green, dark brown or black color. Widths up to 1/16" and a maximum of 1" in length allowable. No red, blue or purple colors.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
0 Widths up to 7" N/A
1 Widths 8" - 13" Lengths up to 24"
2 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 45"
3 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 46" - 81"
4 N/A Lengths 82" 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: Rotary Sliced Plain Sliced Rotary Sliced