Densified wood including process for preparation

A veneer and core assembly for a flooring component, the veneer and core assembly formed by:

• (a) preheating a starter wood member, of a hardwood, by introducing the starter wood member to a temperature in a range of about 250° F. to about 500° F., wherein the preheating is for a time sufficient to reduce moisture content of the starter wood member to between 0 to about 2% and to obtain a core temperature of the starter wood member of about 250° F. to about 500° F.;
• (b) after reducing the moisture content of the starter wood member to between 0 to about 2% and obtaining the core temperature of the starter wood member of about 250° F. to about 500° F., applying pressure to the starter wood member for a single press cycle for a press time of about 30 seconds to about 10 minutes to provide a pressed wood member, wherein heat is applied during the applying of pressure to maintain the core temperature during the applying of pressure in a range of about 250° F. to about 500° F.;
• (c) providing a post-treatment conditioning of the pressed wood member to provide a treated wood member;
• and
• (d) applying the treated wood member, as a veneer, to a core material to form the veneer and core assembly,
• wherein the treated wood member has a density of about 60 pounds per cubic foot to about 85 pounds per cubic foot,
• wherein the treated wood member has a top surface with a surface color difference (AE) of less than 20 as compared with a color of a top surface of the starter wood member.