Veneer has a tremendous variety of uses in home siding, flooring, and decoration. It is also used for furniture, cabinets, and countertops. A veneer is any thin material that is adhered to an inner core or base to give the appearance of a solid material. Veneer supplies include natural and artificial brick, wood, and stone as well as the materials needed for installation.
Veneer supplies are commonly used in artificial siding. Veneers can be made of molded plastic, concrete, or laminate, or from thinly sliced natural materials. Natural and artificial brick, wood, and stone veneer used for siding is generally no thicker than a 2 inches (5cm). Veneers are quite versatile for walls, cabinets, and countertops because their reduced weight usually does not require much additional reinforcement of the base. Veneer can be sold in sheets that are directly attached to an exterior surface with a polymer adhesive or mortar. Individual pieces may also be attached to a wire lath.
When an artificial siding is attached to a home exterior, there usually is a gap between the original wall and the veneer. It is possible for moisture to accumulate in this gap. Water-resistant sheets, felt builders' paper, or other veneer supplies are needed to repel moisture from the home's walls and foundations. Some builders opt to fill the gap between the wall and veneer with fiberglass insulation, which reduces the homeowner's utility bills.
Other types of veneer supplies are the tools needed to install veneer. Rock and brick veneers are often installed by a mason, so a level is needed to ensure an even surface and trowels are usually used to apply and smooth mortar and grout. When the grout is nearly cured, a mason often uses a wire brush to remove any spilled or excess grout from the stones. When installing a thin adhesive laminate veneer on floors and cabinets, a razor knife and sandpaper are required to trim and smooth the edges, and a Plexiglas® scraper should be used to smooth air bubbles from the surface.
Sealants are veneer supplies often used to protect brick and stone veneers from staining and moisture damage. A silicone sealant is generally used to increase the life of the veneer and make it easier to clean. Silicone sealants can darken the color of the veneer, or they can make it harder for moisture to evaporate, but they also prevent stains from rust and mildew.
