Rosebud Veneer and Plywood
Frequently asked questions
Sequence matching, sheet sizes and availability — and if the answer you need is not here, call, text or email.
- What species of veneer do you carry?
- We carry 74 species, from everyday architectural stock like rift white oak and American walnut through to figured and exotic material — macassar ebony, amboyna burl, quilted maple, curly koa, wenge, teak and more. The full list is on the catalog page, and if you need something not on it, ask; we source logs continuously.
- What is the difference between raw veneer and 2-ply veneer?
- Raw veneer is the sliced leaf on its own, with no backer. It is the most flexible option and the least forgiving to handle, so it suits shops with a press. Two-ply — also called wood-on-wood — bonds that face veneer to a thin wood backer with the grain crossed, which makes it far more stable and flexible enough to go around curves. Two-ply is what goes on radius walls and columns.
- What is paper-backed veneer?
- Face veneer bonded to a paper backer, usually 10-mil or 20-mil. It comes in large format, works with contact adhesive, and gives consistent yield with very little waste. It is the usual choice for wall covering and large flat runs.
- What is architectural plywood?
- Veneer already pressed to a panel, ready to cut and install — no press needed at your end. We build on MDF, particleboard or hardwood core in 4×8, 4×10 and 4×12 sheets, with 5×8, 5×10 and 5×12 on request.
- What is fumed veneer?
- Timber exposed to ammonia vapor, which reacts with the tannins already in the wood and darkens it right through rather than sitting on the surface like a stain. The color cannot be sanded off and the figure comes forward rather than being obscured. White oak and eucalyptus take it especially well.
- What sheet sizes are available?
- Standard panel sizes are 4×8, 4×10 and 4×12. We can do 5×8, 5×10 and 5×12 on request, and end-matched sheets can be made beyond those dimensions. Sheets ship uncut.
- Do you ship nationwide?
- Yes. We ship from Louisville, Kentucky to projects across the country, and every order is checked and packed for transit. Tell us where it is going and we will work out the freight.
- Can I get samples?
- Yes, and we recommend it. Veneer is a natural material — color and figure vary between logs and within a single log — so a photograph will only get you so far. Request samples of any species and judge the color, figure and grain in person before you commit.
- How do I get pricing?
- Call (502) 330-5688, text, or email rosebudveneer@gmail.com. Tell us the species, cut, format, sheet size and quantity, and we will come back with pricing and lead time. Pricing depends on the log, so we quote rather than publish a list.
- What is flitch matching?
- A flitch is the stack of leaves sliced from one section of one log, kept in the order they came off. Because they are consecutive, the grain runs continuously from one leaf to the next. Matching from a single flitch is what lets a run look like one piece of timber across a whole elevation — and it is why you should order the full quantity at once. Coming back later means a different log, and it will not match.
- Do you do custom layups?
- Yes — that is most of what we do. Book, slip, random, radial and sequence matching, custom panel sizes, specific cores, and end-matched sheets for lengths beyond a standard panel. Send the drawing and we will tell you what is possible.
- Where are you located?
- 925 Samuel Street Louisville, KY 40204. We ship nationwide, and local customers are welcome to come by and look at material in person.
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