Wood has personality. Step into a room with wood veneer and you feel it instantly. There’s something about the grain that draws you in, setting the tone for the entire space. At Jacaranda, we see this every day with our SanFoot wood veneer wall coverings, a leading example of a sustainable material in modern design.
What many people don’t realize is that this personality comes from how the wood is cut. The sawyer’s technique completely changes the story the wood tells. The same tree can create a vastly different effect, depending on the cut.
That’s why we offer several cutting options with our “AA” architectural-grade veneer species. No two projects require the same look or vibe. Some spaces call for drama, others for calm. The cut determines the character. For interior designers, understanding these wood cuts is key to a successful project.
Quarter Cut: Precision & Elegance
Quarter cutting divides the log into four pieces, then slicing each to produce perfectly straight, uniform grain lines that run consistently across the wood veneer.
This predictable grain is popular in offices and modern spaces. It complements other design elements without competing for attention. Banking lobbies love this cut because it projects professionalism without being boring.
Pro Tip: Choose quarter cut when your project needs to feel intentional, polished and organized.
Flat Cut: Natural Warmth
The old-school method involves flat cutting slices straight through the log, revealing what nature has designed for you. It creates cathedral-like patterns, the natural “wood grain” people picture when they think of wood paneling.
Its flowing patterns bring warmth and comfort. A flat cut is a favorite in hotel lobbies for creating a welcoming atmosphere right away. Public spaces often use this technique as well, especially when clients desire a traditional and natural wood aesthetic.
Pro Tip: Use flat cut when you want wood that feels approachable, familiar and inviting.
Rift Cut: Understated Modernity
Rift cutting angles slightly off the quarter cut approach. You still get straight grains, but they are tighter and more consistent than flat cut without the rigidity of quarter cut.
Architects appreciate the rift cut look for minimalist and contemporary spaces. It offers a subtle wood texture without the overwhelming visual clutter. Modern offices and commercial spaces frequently use it for this reason; it’s not trying too hard.
Pro Tip: Opt for a rift cut when you want wood that feels modern and sophisticated without being formal.
Rotary Cut: Bold & Dramatic
Rotary cutting spins the log while slicing, like peeling a giant apple. The result is sweeping, bold grain patterns that are impossible to ignore. It is this dynamic that some designers love, while others avoid.
No two pieces are alike, making it perfect for statement walls, feature installations, or any space where the wood should command attention. It’s bold, unapologetic, and unforgettable, but sometimes that’s exactly what a project needs.
Pro Tip: A rotary cut is ideal when you want the word veneer to be the focal point of the design.
Choosing the Right Cut for Your Space
Each technique creates a different mood:
- Quarter cut feels controlled.
- Flat cut feels traditional and familiar.
- Rift cut feels modern.
- Rotary cut feels adventurous.
With SanFoot wood veneers, you have access to all four options. Wood veneer technologies allow for use well beyond basic millwork. By slicing veneer at .2mm vs .6mm and mating the flitch with metal foil, translucent backers or other innovative carriers of the flitch, we can bond natural premium veneers to unique substrates such as drywall, metals, glass and polymers. Our 5-ply construction enables you to handle large wall areas or wrap around 90-degree corners without cracking, offering flexibility and expanded design possibilities.
Thus broadening aesthetic opportunities while dramatically reducing natural, and financial resources required to achieve the visual and technical goals of the project. Our commitment to sustainability means you can feel good about your choice of natural wood veneer.
The cut you choose determines how people experience your space. That’s no small decision. Whether it’s a corporate office, hotel, healthcare facility, or high-end facility, it defines the personality of your project.
Check out our Look Book to see each cut in actual projects. Sometimes seeing them in context makes the choice clear.
