Plywood is a fundamental material in many construction and furniture projects. However, with a wide variety of types and qualities available, choosing the right one can be challenging. This guide will detail the different types of plywood and their best uses.
Top Plywood Types, Ranked
- Birch Plywood
- Features: High strength, smooth surface, excellent calibration, uniform edge cut.
- Usage Areas: Furniture, decoration, interior applications.
- Okoume Plywood
- Features: Lightness, easy workability, pleasant appearance.
- Usage Areas: Yacht building, fine woodworking furniture.
- Beech Plywood
- Features: High durability, tight structure, smooth surface.
- Usage Areas: Furniture production, structural applications.
- Exotic Plywood
- Features: Unique patterns, durability.
- Usage Areas: Special projects, luxury furniture production.
- Pine Plywood
- Features: Lightness, affordable cost.
- Usage Areas: Construction, simple furniture production.
- Poplar Plywood
- Features: Low cost, lightness.
- Usage Areas: Packaging, temporary structures.
Marine Grade Plywood
All these plywood types can also be manufactured as marine grade. Marine grade plywood uses a special water and moisture-resistant glue, making it durable for outdoor conditions. This makes it ideal for outdoor furniture, boats, and structures in humid environments.
Film Faced Plywood
Film Faced Plywood is coated with a phenolic film on its surface and is commonly used as concrete formwork. The film provides a smooth, high-quality surface when removed from the concrete. Additionally, film faced plywood is preferred in industrial applications.
The best plywood choice depends entirely on your project’s needs. Birch plywood is ideal for high-quality projects. For outdoor or water-exposed projects, marine grade plywood is recommended. For concrete formwork, film faced plywood is the most suitable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best plywood?
- Birch plywood stands out for its strength, surface quality, and calibration.
- What is marine grade plywood?
- It’s a type of plywood made with water and moisture-resistant glue, ideal for outdoor projects.
- What are the usage areas of film faced plywood?
- Film faced plywood is typically used for concrete formwork but is also preferred in industrial applications.