What Is Mahogany Veneer?

Color and Uses

• When mahogany is first cut, the color of the wood can range from yellow to bright pink. Over time and with polishing, the wood matures to a deep red or reddish brown. With age and use, the wood darkens and deepens ever further; some very old mahogany pieces are almost black. Woodworkers prize mahogany because it is easy to work with: It can be turned and carved, and it can be screwed or nailed to other materials without splitting. Mahogany is typically used for headboards and footboards, desks, chairs, sofa frames, bookcases and fine cabinetry.

Creating Mahogany Veneer

• Mahogany veneer is created by carefully chiseling or sawing fine strips of the wood from the main body of a log or other rough-cut piece. The larger piece is first soaked in hot water or steamed, which softens the wood enough to allow woodworkers to cut the strips for veneer without tearing or splitting the wood. The cut strips might be stacked together and pressed flat between hot plates of metal to keep them from warping. They are kept in the same order as they came off the main piece of wood so that a woodworker using them on a finished product can match up strips that were side by side or above and below one another. Finished veneered pieces often highlight special features of a piece of wood, such as a patch of burl (a curly-looking pattern in the wood), pommele (in which the wood has a raindrop-like pattern) or fiddleback (wood with a tight crosshatched pattern). In mahogany, burl or other curly patterns are especially desirable and can fetch higher prices.

Applying Mahogany Veneer

• To apply mahogany veneer to other woods, woodworkers cut, shape or bend the strips of veneer to fit the other wood, sometimes creating a pattern. They then attach the veneer with special adhesives. The veneer and its base are clamped together and allowed to dry for up to several days. Because mahogany has a naturally rich color that darkens over time, it is not usually stained or covered in any kind of finishing material. Mahogany is highly valued, so mahogany veneer is usually reserved for large pieces; it is rarely used for smaller items, such as decorative boxes or table-top pieces like Lazy Susans.

Caring for Mahogany Veneer

• Proper care of mahogany veneer will help it keep its luster and develop the natural richness of the wood over time. It should be dusted regularly with a soft, clean cloth. If it becomes very dirty or grimy, wiping it with a small amount of oil soap designed for cleaning wood is acceptable. Avoid high-gloss polishes or anything that leaves an artificial finish on the veneer. Try not to let the veneer get wet or overheated; use coasters and keep it away from heaters or hot air outlets. Keep in mind that mahogany will naturally change color over time, unlike other woods. This deepening of color is natural, and mahogany should never be stripped, bleached or painted.