Jeld-Wen (UK) Ltd claims to be the first UK company to be manufacturing veneer-effect internal doors.
The John Carr branded products, on trial with housebuilders and merchants, underwent lengthy testing at Jeld-Wen’s Penrith and Melton Mowbray sites last year.
Doors are being made at subsidiary Penrith Door Company which has converted a veneer press, with help from the machine’s German manufacturer, to produce the laminated paper foil veneer effect. Jeld-Wen says the doors have consistent shade and finish.
The move is a result of the growing popularity for laminate flooring, with office and hotel developers as well as individuals wanting internal doors to co-ordinate with flooring.
Paper foil lamination is already used extensively in kitchen door unit production but Jeld-Wen believes it is the first UK company to transfer the technique to internal doors.
Tony Pell, Jeld-Wen’s UK product manager, said: “Potentially it could be quite big. We have sent samples out to customers and are looking to get it into one of our major merchant clients.”
Three standard veneer-effect finishes are being offered – oak, ash and beech – with more exclusive patterns available on special orders.
Jeld-Wen says the finishing process can be controlled so every door looks the same, removing the need to hand sift veneers or make high-volume orders of one particular batch.
The product is not yet in full production but early feedback has been “positive” enough for the company to look at extending the concept into doorsets. If successful, it intends to invest in new technology capable of producing high volumes.
