Looking for wood works and interior renovations but don’t have the budget to go for hardwood options? Don’t worry, plywood is another great choice to save your day without letting you make compromises.
Adding further, only the trained eyes would be able to differentiate upon close inspection, the trick you’ve played for home décor upgrades i.e. plywood applications. However, there are grades and types of plywood specified for use in the interior and exterior.
To make an ideal choice that suits your needs and budget, you must go through all the available options. In this post by Custom Furniture Dubai, we’re going to explain the 10 different types and various grades attributed to plywood to help improve your understanding of this topic.
Exploring The World Of Plywood: Types & Grades For Home Projects
Below, we’ve explained the 10 types of plywood and grades used in interior and exterior applications.
What Is Plywood?
Thin layers of wood veneer, or plies, are adhered together in alternating grain directions to create plywood, and it’s a type of engineered wood. These plies are typically made from softwood or hardwood, and they are glued together with a strong adhesive.
Plywood comes in a variety of thicknesses and grades, and it is used in both interior and exterior construction. It is often used as a substitute for solid wood because it is more affordable, more consistent in quality, and has greater dimensional stability.
It has a unique cross-grain structure that gives it all the strength and stability. The alternating grain directions of each layer make the plywood less prone to warping, splitting, or cracking thus it is widely used for flooring, roofing, and wall sheathing.
10 Types Of Plywood Explained
Now that you know the construction basics of plywood and also that it’s a durable, versatile, and popular material for home projects, it’s really important to know about the different types and options.
1. Softwood Plywood
This is made from softwood veneers, such as pine, spruce, or fir, and is commonly used in construction and furniture because it’s affordable, easy to work with, and has a smooth, consistent surface.
The thickness of softwood plywood can vary, but it is typically available in thicknesses ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch. From wall sheathing and roof decking to subfloors and furniture, it has vast applications.
2. Hardwood Plywood
This is made from hardwood veneers, such as oak, maple, or birch, and is commonly used in high-end furniture crafting, cabinetry, and decorative wood paneling because of its attractiveness and durability. Its smooth surface makes it easy to paint or stain, and it can be easily cut and shaped as well to fit specific project requirements.
3. Marine Plywood
This is a special type of hardwood plywood that is treated with chemicals to make it resistant to moisture and rot and is commonly used in boats and other marine applications. The wood veneers are bonded together with waterproof material.
It’s constructed with the same approach as traditional plywood, however, should fulfill strict testing to justify quality standards. Marine plywood is typically available in grades A and B, with A-grade being the highest quality and free of defects.
4. Exterior Plywood
Categorized as multi-ply wood, it’s designed to withstand outdoor elements and harsh weather conditions like snow, sunlight, rain, etc. The best and most popular choice is oak exterior plywood because of its moist and mildew resistance.
Most exterior plywood varieties are treated with preservatives to prevent surface damage, decay, and fungal growth.
5. Interior Plywood
From wall cladding and false ceiling work to indoor furniture and cabinetry, internal-grade plywood is the best choice. It’s significantly more aesthetic than durable, however, that doesn’t make it any less valuable or unworthy of investment.
Because you get a good return for your invested amount in terms of interior beauty elevations. It’s also less expensive than external-grade plywood.
6. Structural Plywood
For construction and similar structural projects, you can select this category for plywood eyes wide shut and with no worry of decorative or functional compromises. The cross-grain construction gives this type its strength and stiffness, making it suitable for use in load-bearing applications such as roofs, floors, walls, and decks.
The grade of plywood required for a particular application will depend on the intended use and the load-bearing requirements.
7. Tropical Plywood
With superior strength, layering uniformity, and A-grade density, this plywood option/variety is excellent for outdoor and marine applications. Not to mention the aspects of supreme durability and exceptional resistance offered against damaging conditions.
8. Flexible Plywood
For curved and rounded surfaces in the interior design, your choice of option should be flexible/bendable plywood. For its construction, thin wood veneers are cut into narrow strips which allows them to bend or get curved without breaking or cracking.
9. MDF-Core Plywood
The medium-density fiberboard, wood fibers, and resin are pressed and glued to create a uniform, dense plywood panel. The benefits of improved stability, sheer strength, excellent uniformity, and exceptional durability are all there. Additionally, the smooth, plain surfaces are resistant to warping, cracking, and splitting damage.
10. Subfloor Plywood
It’s installed over the crossbeam of the flooring system and serves as the basis for finished floor covering i.e. may be tile, carpet, or hardwood. It has a massive load-bearing capability and is available in different grades and thicknesses. Basically, it’s designed to be used as a subfloor in the construction.
From A To D: The Different Plywood Grades Explained
Plywood can be found in a variety of grades, ranging from high-quality A-grade plywood that is free of defects, to low-quality D-grade plywood that has visible knots, cracks, and other defects. The grade of plywood used will depend on the specific application and the desired level of quality and appearance.
A-Grade
This is the highest quality plywood grade with a smooth, sanded surface and no knots or defects. It is often used for furniture making, cabinetry, and other high-end interior applications.
B-Grade
It may have some visible defects such as knots, but they are generally small and do not affect the structural integrity of the plywood. It is commonly used for shelving, subfloors, and other interior applications where appearance is not as important.
C-Grade
It has visible defects such as larger knots, splits, and discoloration. It is often used for rough carpentry work, such as sheathing, roofing, and subfloors.
D-Grade
This is the lowest grade of plywood, with visible defects such as knots, splits, and discoloration that can affect the strength and durability of the plywood. It is often used for temporary construction and other applications where appearance is not a concern.
The End Note!
There are various types of plywood and grades available for use in both interior and exterior applications. Understanding the specific qualities of each type and grade can help ensure that the right plywood is chosen for the job, resulting in a successful and durable project.