Fumed Louro Faia Veneered Panels & Jointed Veneer

View Fumed Louro Faia veneered panels & doors in full size

Fumed Louro Faia veneer is produced by passing the natural louro faia wood through an ammonia kiln to permanently change its colour.

This process gives the wood a much darker, exotic colouring that has a more '3D-like' character, and is more UV stable than the natural wood or any other form of colouring, e.g. dyed veneers. Its improved UV-stability makes it more resistant to bleaching after prolonged exposure to the sun.

Also called Catucaem, Brazilian Lacewood, Silky Oak, and Selena, Louro Faia is found across Central and South America, especially Ecuador and Brazil

Louro Faia is very similar in appearance to Australian Silky Oak, which has now become very scarce and protected in most areas - the fact that Louro Faia is more readily available has led to it taking the place of Australian supplies almost exclusively.

The heartwood is brown to reddish brown with a slight pink tinge, or pale pink to medium brown when freshly cut, maturing to a brownish colour with age, and clearly demarcated from the narrow sapwood, which is almost white in colour. Quarter cutting Louro Faia veneer accentuates the strong silver medullary ray figure, which is similar in appearance toquartered European Plane (commonly calledLacewood) - this figure can vary up to finger nail size or in some cases become elongated across the veneer face.

The grain is generally straight, sometimes irregular and Louro Faia also contains a resin content.

Finishing and gluing for interior uses performs well and the wood is lustrous with excellent polishing properties.