Panels are constructed by bonding decorative face and back veneers to one of a variety of substrates. Decorative veneers are specified by appearance standards established by the Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association. For detailed specification criteria refer to ANSI standard HP-1 1999, available from HPVA at www.HPVA.org.

Substrates are also covered by the above standard. Each substrate has unique characteristics that make it more or less suitable for a given application.

Softwood Veneer cores are light and strong but do not typically yield a panel as flat and smooth as a composite cores like particleboard or MDF. Using a two step, or "blank" process can significantly improve veneer core panels’ flatness.

ApplePly© cores are constructed using uniformly thin hardwood inner plys. This virtually eliminates voids, and produces a natural, decorative edge when the panel is cut.

ArmorCore© substrates combine softwood veneer inner plys with a thin layer of MDF just beneath the decorative face and back veneers producing a panel that is light, strong and extremely flat and smooth.

Medium Density Fiberboard, (MDF) is flat and smooth with good thickness tolerances. It machines well, but wears machine tooling and is quite heavy. Screw holding strength is less than veneer core.

Particleboard is the low cost core of choice. It is about the same weight as MDF, but does not machine as well and has poor screw holding capacity. Particleboard is flat and smooth, and has good thickness tolerances.
Specialty Cores include many variations within the above core types, as well as hybrids and non wood based panel products that are coming into commercial use. States has always been at the forefront in bringing these products to market.

Adhesives used in bonding inner plys as well as face and back veneers are typically UF (urea formaldehyde) based. Other adhesives including phenolic and melamine based products are available on a selected basis and at an increased cost.