Real Wood Veneer, Two Ways: Specifying ALPIlignum and ALPIready
Wood is one of architecture’s oldest materials, but the way we specify it continues to evolve.
For designers, the appeal is easy to understand: real wood brings warmth, depth and tactility to an interior in a way an imitation surface rarely achieves. The challenge is controlling that natural material across increasingly sophisticated architectural applications.
ALPI approaches that challenge differently. By engineering real wood into highly controlled veneers, ALPI combines the authenticity of wood with an extraordinary degree of consistency in grain, color and pattern. Just as importantly, designers can choose how that material reaches the finished project—from unfinished ALPIlignum veneer that gives the fabricator control over the final finish, to ALPIready surfaces that arrive factory finished and ready for fabrication.
Same commitment to real wood. Two very different ways to specify it
Why the Finished vs. Unfinished Decision Matters
Early in design development, teams are often drawn to grain, tone, and pattern. Later, realities such as lead times, millwork coordination, and consistency across large surface areas come into focus. The choice between finished and unfinished veneer should align with:
Project schedule and fabrication timeline
Level of customization required
Coordination with millwork and finishing partners
Risk tolerance around color and grain variation
Sustainability and certification requirements
“Superior service and Reliable information,” paired with Alpi’s systemized approach allows design teams to make this decision intentionally—rather than reactively.
ALPIready
Prefinished Wood. A Different Route to the Finish Line.
Not every project benefits from adding a separate finishing operation.
Large hospitality programs, retail environments, workplace interiors and repeated architectural elements may place a higher value on consistency, efficiency and predictable execution.
That’s where the prefinished approach becomes compelling.
ALPIready is constructed from two layers of ALPIlignum veneer joined together to create an all-wood surface. The exposed face is factory varnished, creating a flexible prefinished material ready for application to suitable surfaces. ALPI also produces coordinated edge banding for its ALPIready patterns.
In other words, one major fabrication step has already happened.
Why consider a prefinished veneer?
Factory-controlled finish consistency
No separate field or shop finishing step for the face
Reduced finishing time and labor
Fewer variables between fabricated components
Coordinating edge treatments available for ALPIready patterns
Particularly compelling for repeated or schedule-sensitive applications
ALPI specifically positions ALPIready as a way to reduce the time and effort associated with installation, finishing and varnishing.
For the right project, that can fundamentally change the fabrication conversation.
ALPIlignum
Unfinished Veneer. Complete Creative Control.
For projects where the final color, sheen and finish are integral to the design intent, unfinished veneer gives the designer and fabricator considerably more control.
CPS Garten offers a broad selection of ALPI patterns in 10 mil unfinished paperback veneer, including woods ranging from familiar oaks and walnuts to more expressive grains and patterns.
The paperback format creates a flexible veneer that can be fabricated onto appropriate substrates and incorporated into architectural millwork, cabinetry, furniture, wall panels and other interior applications.
But its greatest advantage may be what ALPI hasn’t done to it yet:
finished it.
The final appearance remains in the hands of the project team.
Why specify unfinished ALPIlignum?
Control the final color. Develop a stain or finish specifically for the project rather than designing around a predetermined factory finish.
Choose the sheen. From an understated matte appearance to a richer finished surface, the final coating can become part of the design vocabulary.
Coordinate adjoining millwork. Unfinished veneer can give the fabricator greater flexibility when ALPI needs to visually relate to other wood elements within an interior.
Select a project-appropriate finish system. Finish requirements can be evaluated around the intended application and performance expectations.
Fabricate creatively. The flexible paperback format lends itself to custom architectural fabrication, including applications where veneer needs to follow forms and details.
For highly customized interiors, that freedom can be invaluable.
All the ALPI Collections are FSC® certified (FSC® C084497) and immediately available in stock.
A Variety of patterns available in Finished and Unfinished veneers. Order your free sample chain today!
We appreciate the opportunity to be of service. Alpi Brookside is the leading brand of Architectural and Design veneer. We ship samples the same day so your project is in good hands from specification to fabrication….and we’ve been doing it for over 40 years!