Exotic Wood Cabinetry - What You Need to Know

Contemporary kitchen designs with a European flairWenge's exotic features come from the dark brown
have generated considerable interest in the U.S. kitchenheartwood striated with fine, black veins. It's dark, rich
and bath market. Merging contemporary designs withcolor is bolder than any domestic wood specie. The
western expectations and an ever increasing "green"exotic look of Wenge is emphasized through
movement have created opportunities for an eclecticconsistent, dark, bold colors running through the veneer.
mix of styles. Environmental conscious homeownersDue to the natural dark color of Wenge, finishes are
acknowledge resource conservation andselectively chosen to reveal and enhance the natural
environmental protection in making home improvementbeauty of this dark exotic wood.
decisions. Eco-friendly alternative options to traditionalThe grain pattern of quarter sawn Zebrawood
wood cabinetry have become available inresembles zebra stripes, with the dark stripes ranging
reconstituted Wenge veneers and reconstitutedfrom dark brown to almost black and the lighter
Zebrawood veneers. These wood species appeal toportions ranging from light tan to golden yellow. As with
homeowners looking for contemporary products withWenge reconstituted wood, finishing options are
a "green" history, representing the preservation ofselectively chosen to reveal and enhance
valuable natural resources.Zebrawood's natural light and dark "zebra stripe" wood
Wenge and Zebrawood are exotic African woodgraining pattern.
species considered threatened in their natural states.The contemporary design appeal of both Wenge and
Efforts to provide these beautiful wood speciesZebrawood lie in the clean, distinct linear appearance
without further accelerating their threatened statuson horizontal grain patterns and vertical appearance on
have resulted in reconstituted man-made veneersvertical grain patterns. Not limited to strictly
which are created from less expensive wood speciescontemporary designs, Wenge and Zebrawood are
and made to emulate true Wenge and Zebrawood.flexible enough to incorporate selected design
Reconstituted Wenge and Zebrawood begin withelements and both may be combined with standard
harvesting fast growing, sustainable woods such aswood species as an accent piece to create a more
Obeche. The Obeche veneer is peeled in layers, dyedtraditional/transitional design. Styles may be further
the natural Wenge or Zebrawood colors, and thenchanged as crown moulding is added in either
glued together, sliced and laminated into new layers.contrasting or contemporary finish color selections.
This process replicates the natural look of both woodStandard wood species may also be incorporated into
species and combines the best natural resources withthe overall design and used as accent pieces to
state of the art manufacturing technologies.enhance the Wenge and Zebrawood species.
Environmentally sound principles and forestShopping for exotic wood cabinetry? Mouser Custom
conservation practices are implemented whenCabinetry provides only the highest quality cabinetry
harvesting trees for use in the manufacture offor discriminating buyers.
reconstituted products.