15 Types Of Plywood: A Comprehensive Guide To Choose The Right One

What Is Plywood?

Plywood is engineering wood that is made up of gluing several layers of wood together. Also, there are different types of plywood used for furniture like cabinets, cupboards, T.V Units, dressing tables, Center tables, and dining tables.

It is used in construction projects such as bracing, panels, and making decorative items. Which requires a piece of wood, large plywood, and plywood is a composite product of wood.

The plywood is produced with the help of placing a very thin layer of wood and glued under a pressure in giving a hydraulic press for creating a single sheet of wood, mostly preferred over a 2×4 size log. Because these logs have an extremely stable surface and do not expand easily when moisture across the grains.

Hardwood plywood is applicable for only furniture purposes and softwood plywood is applicable for construction purposes and structural purposes.

In Inwood industries many plywood is available but the common, thickness of plywood is depended upon the number of piles it has, most plywood has 3 ply, and the sturdier ones come in multiply or 5-ply.

Let’s go over some basic types of plywood available in India:

Types of Plywood

Softwood Plywood

As the name suggests this plywood is made up of softwood such as cedar, redwood, pinewood, spruce Douglas fir, and it is used for heavy work.

Softwoods are used for subfloors of buildings, frame sheathing of exterior side, roof sheathing, dog house, and shelves, Packages, parking fencing or garden fencing, and boxes.

Hardwood Plywood

These types of plywood are made up of hardwood such as oak, maple, birchwood, Walnut, etc. generally this hard plywood is made up of seven or more layers which is make them extremely sturdy.

Also, hardwood plywood is used for musical instruments, sports equipment, furniture, frame, playground equipment, supporting structural elements, making signboards, and many more.

Aircraft Plywood

Aircraft plywood is high-grade plywood and it is more durable. This plywood is applicable for aircraft fields, making boats, and furniture.

The Aircraft plywood is made of thinner veneers so that it is more workable and lightweight and uses wood such as birch and mahogany, also it resists moisture and heat.

Exterior Plywood

Exterior plywood is used for exterior works; it is manufactured using weather-resistant adhesive and glued water.

When plywood quality is good then it stays for many years. The exterior types of plywood are categorized into multiple.

Lumber Core Plywood

Lumber Core plywood is generally made up of three plies the inner core is made up of glued wood into one solid slab and the outer veneer is made up of hardwood.

When poorly make a lumber core plywood high chance to get voids within the core part, which reduced its strength and the ability of screw holding.

Structural plywood

Structural plywood needs a strong adhesive to keep piles together and it is also known as sheathing plywood.

Structural plywood is used for outside or inside of a building, but the main disadvantage is vulnerability to weather resistance and the advantage is structural plywoods are cheap as compared to other plywood.

Also, this plywood is greatly suitable for the subfloor, internal structures, bracing of the roof, wall bracing, and beams.

Composite Plywood

Composite plywood is similar to traditional plywood, but composite plywood consists of external layers that include fiberboard and are covered with a layer of hardwood, and the internal layer consists of regular wood.

The composite types of plywood are mostly suitable for making cabinets and furniture.

Overlaid Plywood

Overlaid Plywood is made up of ash, birch, maple, red oak, rosewood, oak, mahogany, and teak, and the upper layer is finished with ornamental wood and also called decorative plywood.

The overlaid veneer plywood not only gives a finished look, but it makes durable, water-resistance, scratched proof and protects against other damage.

Generally, this outer surface is bonded with a process of heat and pressure.

Marine Plywood

Marine plywood performs well in humid areas and wet regions and easily resists mold, fungal, and mildew attacks.

Marine plywood is mostly used in that places where it is exposed to moisture for a long time, and it is varnished with water resistance glue which helps to water repel.

Marine plywood does not have any knotholes inside the piles. Also, it is used for making decorative purposes as well as marine fields such as dock components, boats, benches, and planters.

Tropical Plywood

Tropical plywood is manufactured in mixed tropical wood logs; tropical plywood is superior as compared to softwood plywood means strength, uniformity in a layer, and density.

This tropical plywood is commonly used in countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Dubai, Korea, the U.S., the U.K, etc.

Tropical types of plywood are used for making concrete panels, laminated boards, Structural panels, floor bases, container flooring, etc.

Flexible plywood

Tropical Plywood

Once a desirable curved is achieved the boards are glued in two layers so that the shape is stiff or rigid and does not allow any movement.

Sanded Plywood

In this plywood, the top, bottom, and face of piles are sanded which makes them smooth and uniform in nature. Also, the sanded plywood has a high finish quality and is durable so it is used for structural applications.

Apple Plywood

Apply plywood is sturdy and light in weight so that more workable and used for making furniture, cabinets, and decorative piece. The Construction of ply used strips of alder wood and birch wood, which are laminated together.

Subfloor Plywood

Subfloor is an important portion of the construction building or any structure because its floor finish will be attached. Subfloor plywood as the name suggests is used instead of a concrete floor.

Choosing the Right Type of Plywood

Choosing the right type of plywood for your project depends on a variety of factors. Some factors to consider include the project’s intended use, the budget, and the required strength and durability.

For example, if you are building a boat, you would need marine plywood that is resistant to water damage. If you are building a piece of furniture, you may want to choose decorative plywood that has an attractive veneer layer.

Conclusion

Understanding the different types of plywood available is essential for choosing the right type of plywood for your project. Whether you are building a boat, a piece of furniture, or a commercial building, there is a type of plywood that meets your specific needs.

At our company, we offer a wide range of high-quality plywood options and are committed to providing our customers with the best products and services in the industry.

FAQs

What is plywood?

Plywood is a type of engineered wood made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneers, with the grain of adjacent layers oriented perpendicular to each other. This cross-grain construction gives plywood its strength and stability.

What are the advantages of using plywood?

Plywood has several advantages over solid wood, including increased stability, durability, and resistance to warping and cracking. It is also less expensive than solid wood and comes in a variety of thicknesses and grades, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

What are the different grades of plywood?

Plywood is graded based on its quality, with higher grades indicating better quality and fewer defects. The most common grades of plywood are A, B, C, and D, with A being the highest quality and D being the lowest.

What are some common applications of plywood?

Plywood is used in a variety of applications, including furniture, cabinetry, flooring, walls, roofing, and construction. It is also commonly used in the manufacturing of boats and airplanes due to its strength and durability.

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