Last updated: October 2026
Not all slat panels are wood. Thula Wall's Akupanels are made by WoodUpp in its own factory in Ribe, Denmark, from real wood veneer hand-picked by the WoodUpp team, on acoustic felt made in Sweden. Many budget panels on the South African market, most of them imported from China, use a printed paper or plastic foil that imitates wood grain. The two can look similar in a photo. In your home, they look, feel and age very differently.
Where do WoodUpp panels come from?
WoodUpp was founded by Mads Vesterby in Ribe, a small town in southern Denmark. He grew up near the factory his parents built there in 1991, and that is where the first Akupanel was made in 2016. WoodUpp still manufactures in its own factory in Ribe and has since shaped thousands of spaces across more than 20 markets on four continents.
Thula Wall has been part of WoodUpp since 2023, which is why South African customers get the same Danish-made Akupanel sold across Europe. Read our story.
What makes a WoodUpp Akupanel different?
- Hand-picked real wood veneer. The WoodUpp team in Denmark selects veneers for quality and visits the farms and suppliers the wood comes from.
- FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests.
- Acoustic felt made in Sweden, designed for acoustic performance.
- Sound Class A, the highest absorption class, when installed with the acoustic felt.
- Precise, consistent construction: 600mm wide panels, 22mm thick, 27mm slats with 13mm gaps, and a 13mm felt continuation on the edge so panels join without a visible seam.
- Natural character. Real veneer shows genuine grain, knots and colour variation, and every panel is slightly different.
Real wood veneer vs foil: side by side
| Real wood veneer (WoodUpp Akupanel) | Printed foil (typical budget import) | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | A thin layer of real wood | Paper or plastic film printed with a wood-grain image |
| Grain | Unique on every slat | Often a repeating pattern across slats |
| Feel | Real wood texture | Smooth or embossed, plasticky |
| Ageing | Colour deepens naturally with light | Print can fade or yellow; foil can lift at edges if poorly bonded |
| Damage | A scratch shows wood | A scratch can expose the core underneath |
| Acoustic backing | Swedish acoustic felt, Sound Class A | Varies; often no published test results |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
What about Thula Wall's Wrapped panels?
We also sell a Wrapped range (English Oak, English Walnut, Southern Oak, Weathered Oak and Black Oak). These use a high-quality wood-textured foil instead of real veneer, and we label every one of them clearly as "Wrapped" so you always know what you are buying. They exist for customers who want the slat-wall look at a lower price. If real wood matters to you, choose Classic Oak, Walnut, Black Ash or the Rustic range. The difference in price is set out in our price guide.
How to check what you are buying: a 6-point checklist
- Ask directly: "Is the face real wood veneer or foil?" A reputable seller answers plainly.
- Look at the slat ends and edges. Veneer shows a thin real-wood layer; foil shows a film wrapped around the core.
- Compare several slats. If the grain repeats exactly, it's printed.
- Ask for acoustic test results. "Sound absorbing" means little without a tested absorption class.
- Ask where it's made and who makes it. A named manufacturer stands behind the product.
- Order a sample before you buy. Touch it, scratch the back, and see it in your own light.
Thula Wall A4 samples let you do exactly that, or you can see the full range in person at our showrooms in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, George and Ballito.
Is real wood worth paying more for?
A feature wall is something you look at every day for years. Real veneer keeps its character, ages naturally and doesn't look printed up close, and a tested acoustic panel actually delivers the echo reduction you're paying for. For a full wall, the difference between Wrapped and Classic Oak on a 240cm panel is R300 per panel. See our buyer's guide for choosing a finish.
Frequently asked questions
Are Thula Wall panels made in Denmark?
Yes. Our Akupanels are made by WoodUpp in its own factory in Ribe, Denmark, with real wood veneers and acoustic felt made in Sweden.
Who invented the Akupanel?
The Akupanel is WoodUpp's original slat panel. WoodUpp was founded by Mads Vesterby, and the first Akupanel was made in 2016 at his family's factory in Ribe, Denmark.
Are cheap slat panels real wood?
Often not. Many budget panels use a printed paper or plastic foil that imitates wood grain. Ask the seller directly and check a sample.
Is the Thula Wall Wrapped range real wood?
No. Wrapped panels use a high-quality wood-textured foil and are clearly labelled. Classic Oak, Walnut, Black Ash and the Rustic finishes use real wood veneer.
