Home renovations: Cheap hack to make your house look expensive

Looks are deceiving when it comes to one ancient fancy finish that looks as good as its modern-day green credentials.

A bad reputation just clings to some materials decades after their quality has improved beyond belief. Timber veneer is one product that looks drool-worthy, won’t break the budget and even helps, not hinders a greener future as we build or renovate our homes.

The current Federal Government continues beating a path toward reducing carbon emissions, passing climate change bills as recently as September 2022 and our choices have an impact.

The Australian emissions reduction target of 43 per cent and net zero emissions by 2050 is now enshrined in legislation, but the Architecture 2030 report found the built environment generates 40 per cent of annual global CO2 emissions, from construction elements such as steel, concrete, glass and plastics. So why aren’t we all using more veneer?

Get on board with timber veneers to get a luxe look for less. Pictured is Fireside House by Tom Ross. Picture: supplied

False fake

An unfair rap has certainly proved hard for timber veneers to shake.

The word “veneer” itself suggests fakery, when in fact it is such a genuine material made from a natural, renewable resource – unlike laminates which are truly synthetic and arguably responsible for the unfair maligning of the real thing.

Style council

Melbourne-based architect with the award-winning sustainable architecture and design practice Breathe, Madeline Seawall is a strong advocate for using beautiful veneers at every opportunity.

“Designing sustainably means choosing the material that is most suitable for every application,” Seawall says.

Made from real American oak timber veneer on birch hardwood ply, The Little Dane dog’s house features an easily removable ramp to suit dogs of different ages and temperament, $1190, Dapperhound, dapperhound.com.au

“We love using timber veneers instead of hardwood door panels for joinery because it is such an efficient use of a precious resource,” she says, urging Australian Forest Stewardship Council certified timber only.

Imagine sitting back in your lounge, looking at the finishes about you and delighting in the uniqueness. Those wormholes, swirls and burls all signify nature’s dateless design.

Wormholes, swirls and burls in timber veneer all signify nature’s dateless design. Picture: iStock

Ancient art

Veneers were originally the go-to material for furniture makers as a solution to expanding and contracting solid wood. The practice dates to Ancient Egypt, where wood was the same precious resource it is today.

The University of Melbourne – Melbourne School of Design

Flash forward and the word veneer still has some people baulking, but here’s a reality check: timber veneers in 2023 are beautiful, sustainable, remarkably pliant and responsible for some of the best design breakthroughs this century.

Plus they’re made of actual timber, glued to inexpensive particle board backing. Wood slices for veneer use can be as thin as 0.5mm thickness. According to the Timber Veneer Association of Australia, one cubic metre of timber can generate 1000 sqm of veneer. If you had to buy 1000 sqm of solid Queensland red cedar, you’d have to sell the Bentley.

Wood walls

Go online to find samples – it will be worth it.

Wood walls are worth it.

And if you’re looking for the newest products in the range, go to Elton Group and let your eyes dance across their range of WoodWall products – which can be applied as easily as wallpaper. Wow. If you do use veneers in your own home, not only are you smart, you’ll join the fine company of some of this country’s greatest designers.

Fine figures

Wood is an excellent sustainable building product that looks cool and contemporary while at the same time being warm and welcoming.

Wood is a sustainable building product that looks cool and contemporary while being warm and welcoming. Picture: supplied

Have you visited Sydney’s Qantas First Class Lounge? Well, neither have I (though I live in hope), but the pictures of it are fabulous.

How about the Margaret Court Arena? Sydney’s Knox Grammar? The Melbourne School of Design?

The range of available timbers boggles the mind.

From imported ash styles to Australian Huon pine, there seems to be a “figure” (or surface pattern) that works for every design concept.

Prue Miller is The Fixer, here to answer all your home improvement and renovation problems. Email The Fixer with your questions: [e-mail]