Can you identify the type of wood on this (bathroom) vanity

Question

Vanity is probably 50+ years old. I would like to identify the wood type:

1a. Vanity top - underside

http://173.76.230.177:8080/public/Vanity_top_underside-new.jpg http://173.76.230.177:8080/public/Vanity_top_underside2-new.jpg (Note the strip at the bottom is the natural unstained color of the wood)

1b. Vanity top - top side Here is a shot of part of the vanity top where some of the finish has worn off

http://173.76.230.177:8080/public/Vanity_top_topside.jpg2. Here is the backside of one of the doors (I'm not sure if it is the same wood as the top)

http://173.76.230.177:8080/public/Vanity_door-new.jpgThanks for the help!!!

dpb · Accepted Answer

...Birch plainsawn ply...No.  Luaun (sometimes known as "Philippine mahogany" altho it's not related to the real mahoganies)--

blueman · Answer

Just curious. What makes you say ply rather than real full-thickness wood. Looking at the rough edges (around the sink cutout), it doesn't "look" like plywood (or at least like any modern version of plywood).

OK. I have heard of Luan plywood, but this again looks like solid wood and not plywood - is that possible?

RonB · Answer

Birch - Guessing plywood.  A lot of vanity and other cabinets builtwith that material.

dpb · Answer

Solid-core (cabinet ply). I didn't look at anything except one face shot owing to very slow dialup. It's ply veneer on the face. Look more carefully and I suspect you'll be able to see the thin surfaces. Look at an end instead of a side and you'll likely be able to see the core strips as well (assuming they're not faced or something).

Yes, that's possible altho again could be a solid-core ply.

--

Doug Miller · Answer

Concur.Concur.

SonomaProducts.com · Answer

This is Luan. There is a very standard method for refinishing Luan.Carefully go around the entire edge of the vanity with a razor knifeto break any caulking seal. Carefully pry the entire vanity away fromthe wall and floor. Carefully dismantle enitire vanity with longswinging glances of a 2 lb sledge hammer. Carefully sweep up thedebris and place in a dumpster. Drive to Home Depot, find the bathroomvanity isle and select a new vanity.

dadiOH · Answer

I agree re Philippine mahogany and you are *very* unlikely to have solid wood rather than ply unless you live in Hawaii...solid  Philippine mahogany is (was) common there.

David Nebenzahl · Answer

On 3/3/2010 7:37 AM dpb spake thus:Ackshooly, it's spelled "lauan".

Swingman · Answer

If you look at the picture of the back of the door you can see  plywood, which looks like it may have also been used as edging/banding?I agree about being a dead ringer for Luan veneered plywood.

Robatoy · Answer

That reminds me of something...something about a hatch to the head ona tuna boat...

Swingman · Answer

The old blind carpenter joke ...

Can you identify the type of wood on this (bathroom) vanity

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