Replies

1. 
   jake_w | Mar 12, 2021 07:45am | #1

   The answer to your question depends on a couple of things. Mainly the thickness of your cabinet, the type of substrate and the overall dimensions. Because you ask about veneering only one side, I assume you are not using plywood as a substrate. For most of my veneered cabinets, I've had good success with a 3/4" baltic birch core and veneered both sides. This is one option to consider and produces great results, if you have any questions I would direct you to Craig Thibodeau's instagram on what this can look like.

   If you are going with solid wood and it is in the range of 3/4" thick, you could probably just veneer one side. Ultimately, this depends on the width of your panel. At some point, the expansion and contraction of the substrate and the veneer will differ enough to either cause creep, spliting, or warping. I commonly veneer only the face of drawer fronts with burl and this was a common method for Federal furniture. If hide glued veneer on one side can last 200+ years, I think it will be fine. Of course, only the good pieces survived 200+ years, so maybe a bunch failed and have been disposed of.

   If you are using 1/2" or 1/4" substrate, veneer both sides. I have had many issues thin panels warping even with veneering both sides.

   This is all based on my experience and others will have different experiences. I would recommend a trial piece to see how it goes. I always learn a lot with trial pieces and it makes the final piece better.

   I hope this answers some of your questions.