Faux Wood Graining

The faux wood grain effect is among the most popular of painted wood effects. Woods can be divided into two primary categories: hard woods and soft woods. Most soft woods are fast growing and are relatively inexpensive. Soft woods, however, tend to be close grained and, as a result, most are bland and have few unique wood characteristics. A wood grain finish is a relatively easy finish to achieve and will save you a great deal of money!

Hard woods, however, can be cut to reveal intricate and decorative grain patterns. As a result of their attractive characteristics, the demand for hard woods over the last 150 years has greatly reduced the supply of species like mahogany, walnut, oak, chestnut, birds eye maple, rosewood and many others.

The industry response to the lack of these hard woods was to create veneers, particularly for wood used in the furniture manufacturing sector. However, this was short lived, as eventually the high quality veneers became scarce as well, resulting in skyrocketing prices and rendering them impractical for larger projects.  

These shortages for both solid hard woods as well as high quality veneers is what led the industry to simulate the grains of woods with paint and pigments, just as they had turned to simulating marble in the face of it's shortage and expense.

Over the last couple of centuries, artists have mastered the recreation of the grains of many woods with paint. The result is a heightened demand for faux wood grain painting.

We have several faux wood graining examples based on the type of wood we are simulating. While there are several different methods of painting wood grain and many other types of faux painted wood graining, these are the most sought after designs by designers and decorators today.

Please click on the type of wood you are seeking to recreate for additional information on each finish.