Dining Table Materials: Solid Wood, Veneer and What Lasts

It depends on the table and the part you mean. The Vela and Ushi tabletops are lacquered wood veneer over 15 mm MDF, with a veneer about 0.3 mm thick, and their frames and legs are ash wood. The veneer is real wood and gives the tabletop its natural grain, while the MDF panel underneath gives it a flat, stable structure. We describe each part exactly rather than use a loose phrase like "solid wood", because a table described as solid wood should be solid throughout the part being described.

Wood veneer is a thin sheet of real wood applied to a supporting panel. In our tables the panel is medium density fibreboard (MDF), and the veneer is about 0.3 mm thick on the Vela and Ushi tabletops. The veneer provides the natural grain and appearance of the wood, while the MDF underneath gives the panel its flat, stable structure. Veneer is not automatically worse than solid wood: it gives a consistent surface, while solid wood can often be sanded and refinished. The MDF panels are TSCA Title VI compliant, a standard for formaldehyde emissions from composite wood.

We don't list a heat resistance rating for the Vela and Ushi tabletops, which are lacquered veneer over MDF, so treat them like any finished wood surface. Keep using trivets for very hot pans, and use coasters to protect the finish from heat and moisture rings. Hot cookware set directly on a finished wood surface can leave marks, so a trivet is the simplest precaution. For care, wipe spills quickly and avoid harsh cleaners, and check the product page for the care instructions for your table.

We don't list a scratch resistance rating for the Vela and Ushi tabletops, which are lacquered veneer over MDF, so treat them like any finished wood surface. Everyday use with plates, cutlery and cookware is what a dining table is for, but avoid dragging heavy or sharp objects across it. As general advice, a placemat or protective pad under hard-surface work such as crafts is a sensible precaution on any finished wood table.

Our dining tables use ash wood. The Vela and Ushi tabletops are lacquered wood veneer over MDF, and their frames and legs are ash wood with a satin stain. Wood veneer is a thin sheet of real wood applied to a supporting panel, here a 15 mm MDF panel with a veneer about 0.3 mm thick, and it gives the table the natural grain of the wood. Check the product page for the finishes currently offered, because specifications and materials can change.

Dust with a soft, dry cloth, and wipe spills quickly. For stains, use a damp cloth with mild soap, then dry right away so water does not sit on the finish. Avoid harsh cleaners, which can damage the finish, and use coasters and trivets to protect it from heat and moisture rings. This is general care advice for finished wood, so check the product page for the specific care instructions for your table.