Wood Veneer Matching - Balancing

Within a certain panel, leaves can be balance matched or running matched.  Balance matched panels can also be center matched.

Running Match

Since it generates the least waste, a running match is cheapest.  Leaves are placed in order of slicing onto a panel until the end of the panel.  The final leaf may not have the same width as previous panels.  The first leaf of the next panel uses the left-over portion of the previous leaf.  These are referred to as  remainders and are highlighted in the diagram below.

Balance Match

A step up from the running match is a balance match, where the width of the leaves is consistent across a panel.

Balance and Center Match

The most aesthetically appealing is a balance and center match, where the leaves are all the same width and the grain pattern is centered on the panel.  This is the most labor intensive and, therefore, is most expensive.

2004 CSI Masterspec Division

Architectural Woodwork: 06 40 00