Plywood

Plywood is manufactured by bonding thin layers of wood veneer, known as plies, with each layer oriented at right angles to the next. This cross-graining process significantly improves mechanical strength and reduces expansion and shrinkage, resulting in panels with enhanced dimensional stability and uniform performance in all directions.

Plywood panels can be produced from hardwoods, softwoods or a combination of both, depending on the required characteristics. Commonly used wood species include poplar, ilomba, okoumé, eucalyptus and birch. Face veneers are typically of higher grade than core veneers, allowing for improved surface quality when a decorative finish is required.

Finixia plywood panels are available with different surface options such as wood veneer, HPL laminate and glossy acrylic finishes, making them suitable for construction, furniture, interior cladding and other demanding applications.

APPLICATIONS

• Furniture: kitchens, wardrobes, tables, shelves, etc.
• Decoration: wall cladding, flooring etc.
• Construction: Structures, facades, hosuing, ceilings etc.
• Marine / caravans: Caravans, Yachts or other boats’ interiors and furnishing

PLYWOOD VS. MDF (Differences & Properties)

• Since it consists of layers of wood veneer with the grain on each layer running a different direction, Plywood is a very strong panel material.
• MDF is not as hard as plywood and can be damaged easily when roughly handled. It is not as stiff as plywood and can sag with if too much weight is applied to it.
• It is less susceptible to water damage than MDF, and won’t soak up water and swell as quickly or easily as MDF does.
• It is stainable, which makes it perfect for kitchen cabinets, table tops, and other projects where a large stained wood surface is needed.
• It holds screws very tightly since the varying grains of wood on each layer give the screws something to hold onto.
• The cross graining of plywood improves dimensional stability by reducing expansion and shrinkage. This makes a panels’ strength consistent in both directions. The odd number of sheets also reduces warping.
• Another advantage of plywood is that extreme cold does not affect its dimensions or strength.

CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING

There are two broad classes of plywood, each with its own grading system.

One class is known as hardwood and decorative. Plywoods in this class are used primarily for their appearance and are graded in descending order of resistance to moisture as Technical (Exterior), Type I (Exterior), Type II (Interior), and Type III (Interior). Their face veneers are virtually free of defects.

The other class of plywood is known as construction and industrial: Plywoods in this class are used primarily for their strength and are rated by their exposure capability and the grade of veneer used on the face and back. Exposure capability may be interior or exterior, depending on the type of glue. Veneer grades may be N, A, B, C, or D. N grade has very few surface defects, while D grade may have numerous knots and splits.