Types of plywood
Basically, plywood is an engineered wood, which is a composite material made up of multiple layers of wood veneers that are placed at right angles to each other. This cross-grain structure is the main reason behind the plywood’s durability which makes plywood as an ideal material for building construction
1. Softwood plywood
Core material: Softwood
Example of softwood: Pine, Fir
Application
- Construction framing: Softwood plywood are used in construction framing due to its strength and cost-effectiveness.
- Structural projects: It is used due to its stability.
- Outdoor decking: Pressure related softwood such as pine, are used in outdoor decking due to its stability and resistance to insects.
- Moulding and trimming: In interior finishing applications, it is employed in moulding and trimming.
2. Hardwood plywood
Core material: Hardwood
Example of hardwood: Birch or maple wood, Oak
Application
- For exposed tops in kitchens: Due to its intensive strength, it is used as substrate material for countertops such as granite
- Cabinetry in kitchens: Usually hardwood plywood are used as top, side and bottom doors in kitchen.
3. Structural plywood
It is specially designed to meet the construction demands. The core material used in this plywood could be either softwood or hardwood or combination of both.
- Softwood structural plywood: Offers the strength to the plywood.
- Hardwood structural plywood: Offers durability and resistance of structural plywood. These are used in cases where higher level of stability is required.
- Combined: Versatile offering structural integrity while potentially reducing the cost.
Application
- Mezzanine floors: It is used as it provides additional levels within the structure without comprising the strength.
- Roof sheathing: It provides a stable and load bearing surface for roofing material.
- Flooring: It provides strong and resilient subfloor which can bear the weight of furniture.
- Wall sheathing: As wall sheathing, structural plywood adds stability to the structure and helps resist lateral forces, contributing to the overall integrity of the building.
4. Marine plywood
Marine plywood is usually designed in order to withstand the consistent the exposure to water which is basically a form of water proof plywood.
Odd number of veneers are glued together to attain the water resistant and durable.
Application
- Boat Building: The primary application of marine plywood is in the construction of boats and marine vessels. It is used for construction of other boat products.
- Dock and Pier Construction: Marine plywood is suitable for building docks, piers, and other waterfront structures that are constantly exposed to water. Its water-resistant properties make it a reliable choice for these applications
- Outdoor Furniture: Marine plywood is sometimes used in the construction of outdoor furniture where water resistance and durability are essential.
- Bathrooms and Kitchens: In residential applications, marine plywood can be used in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens, for constructing cabinets, countertops, and other fixtures.
- High-Humidity Environments: Marine plywood is suitable for any application where the wood is exposed to high levels of humidity, preventing issues like warping, delamination, or decay.
5. Aircraft plywood
It is designed to be light weight, durable and flexible. They are designed in such a way to meet the stringent requirements of aviation.
- Aircraft Construction: The primary application of aircraft plywood is in the construction of aircraft structures. It is used for components such as wings, fuselage, and control surfaces where a combination of strength and lightness is essential.
- Model Aircraft and Prototypes: Aircraft plywood is also utilized in the construction of model aircraft and prototypes. Its lightweight and strong properties make it a preferred material for creating scale models for testing and design validation.
- Interior Components: In some cases, Aircraft plywood(Birch plywood) is used for interior components of aircraft, such as cabinetry and paneling. Its lightweight nature contributes to overall weight savings.
6. Fire retardant plywood
They are specially designed for the purpose of fire resistance. This is achieved by coating the plywood with fire resistant adhesives.
Application
- Fire rated door: These plywoods are used to prevent rapid spread of fire from one area to another.
- Partition Walls: Partition walls within buildings, especially in areas with high fire risk, are often constructed using fire-resistant plywood to enhance fire safety.
- Stairwell Enclosures: Stairwells, being crucial escape routes during a fire, often utilize fire-resistant plywood for the construction of enclosures to protect the escape path.
- Office Furniture: Fire-resistant plywood can be used in the construction of office furniture, such as desks and cabinets, to enhance fire safety in commercial buildings.
- Hotel and Hospitality Furniture: In structures where fire safety is of utmost importance, furniture in public spaces like hotels may be constructed using fire-resistant plywood.
These are the types of plywood which are used for multiple purposes but the ultimate quality that makes a plywood ideal for construction or other purpose is durability and flexibility.
