Veneer

Thin timber face layer on a carrier material as an alternative to solid wood.

Veneer is a thin sheet of timber (0.3–6 mm) glued onto a carrier material such as plywood or MDF. Veneered stair treads are less expensive than solid-wood treads but offer a genuine timber surface. The disadvantage: if damaged, the thin face layer cannot be sanded and refinished as is possible with solid wood. Veneer is therefore better suited for lightly used staircases.