I was table shopping today and noticed quite a bit of tables were Veneer tops... looked good, but how's the quality of these kinds of surfaces if anyone has experience in these kinds of products... some examples....

 

Just about every wood table top is going to be veneer. This is because solid wood would expand/contract across the grain so much that it would be impossible to keep the top flat and prevent cracking. Veneer on a stable substrate is the traditional way to keep wood movement problems out. So veneer itself isn't an indicator of quality.

The most vulnerable areas of that piece will be the edges - looks like the edges might be veneered too, which might be prone to chipping. I prefer a table top with solid wood around the stable substrate. You can't do that and get the look of this particular table though.

 

I think it really depends on the finish. Check out the floor model of the table you're interested in to see how it's holding up. Are there scratches left where you set your keys down or will it dent easily from thumb-nail pressure, etc?

I have not been impressed with the one I bought right out of school, but the finish is very soft. I've been tempted to go over it with one of the wipe-on polyurethanes that I used on my kitchen cabinets. The veneer itself is also bubbling in a couple of spots. I keep wishing I had paid more attention to the floor sample. Seriously, though, it was pretty inexpensive.

 

nice tips guys...

 

That looks like a West Elm set up. I think most or all of West Elm stuff is veneered. I think veneered is ok as long as it isn't getting heavy use.

 

DO NOT BUY THE TABLE FROM WEST ELM.

We bought a table (the model pictured I believe) and were extremely disappointed in the quality. It's absolute rubbish. We returned the table and bought a similar model from Crate & Barrel, we've had it a year now and no complaints. The veneer is holding up great. Can't say the same for the dining chairs we bought from West Elm. I should put them out with the garbage tomorrow night.

I've been sorely disappointed with just about every item we've purchased from West Elm. We keep going back because we love their design but we are let down every time.

I've since read that West Elms veneer furniture is manufactured by the same company that manufactures Target's furniture. Same goes for Pottery Barns (who owns West Elm) veneer/mdf furniture. I don't know how true this is, but comparing my West Elm furniture to my Target furniture, I'd say it sounds pretty accurate.


Again, just because West Elm sucks, doesn't mean all veneer does. I've plenty of veneer furniture and for the most part I've been satisfied... but don't expect it to last you a lifetime. It wont.

 

Thanks for that insight Soopa! I'll stay away from West Elm. I need to find a quality table for the breakfast area which will have the most traffic.... the dining room area, I could compromise a bit....