Plywood is one of the must-have materials for various projects throughout the years. This product is extremely versatile for a wide range of structural, exterior and interior applications. If you’re an inexperienced buyer, shopping for plywood can be overwhelming. Let this ultimate plywood buying guide help you make the right purchase.
Plywood in the Philippines is an engineered wood product made from stacked layers of wood veneers to produce a flat sheet material. CPME Industrial Sales Corp. is a provider of high-quality plywood and other construction materials aiming to improve both product quality and customer satisfaction. Read on to learn everything you need to know about plywood, its types, and much more.
Knowing the types of plywood and where to use them greatly help in buying the right plywood for your project. Below are some of the most common types of plywood:
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Soft Plywood – As the term implies, this type of plywood is made using softwoods like pine, cedar and redwood. While its name hints it isn’t as strong as others, they are in fact useful for heavy woodworks. Soft plywood is commonly used for exterior frames and roof sheathings, as well as sub-floorings. |
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Hardwood Plywood – Hardwood plywood is known for its firmness, hardness and resistance quality. Woods like walnut, maple, oak and birch are common wood sources. This plywood consists of seven layers and more, making it sturdy and durable for creating sports equipment, musical instruments and other projects in need of strong frames. |
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Aircraft Plywood – Also known as airplane plywood, aircraft plywood is a top-grade, durable and lightweight plywood. It is made from hardwoods such as mahogany, spruce and birch, which aren’t vulnerable to moisture and too much heat. This type of plywood is usually used for building aircraft, boats and furniture meant to carry heavier loads. |
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Exterior Plywood – As the name suggests, this one is used for exterior woodworks. It has weather- and water-resistant glue holding each veneer together. Exterior plywood is meant to combat different weather conditions, providing strong, sturdy frames for many decades. |
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Lumber Core Plywood – A 3-ply designed plywood, lumber core has two thin veneers on each side and a thick core. Its outer surface is made of hardwoods like maple, oak and birch, while its inner layer consists of strips of various softwoods glued into a sturdy wood slab. With the right nails and screws, this type of plywood is valuable for projects that require a strong screw hold. |
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Marine plywood – Contrary to its name, marine plywood is not water-resistant. It’s marine-grade plywood glued with waterproof adhesives. This plywood is not treated with chemicals; hence it is not rot-resistant. Marine plywood is a popular choice for exterior structures, including plant boxes, benches and gazebos. |
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Overlaid Plywood – This plywood has a tough finish owing to its overlaid surface. It can either come in medium or high density due to the high heat and pressure processes on the wood veneers. The smooth exterior finish isn’t necessarily for aesthetics, but it functions as a durable surface to keep certain elements from damaging it. |
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Structural Plywood – This plywood is also called sheathing plywood due to its durability both for framing and building. Manufacturers use the strongest, waterproof glues to keep the plies together, though they can be inflexible when it comes to harsh weather conditions. They are typically graded as C or D, making them an inexpensive option for your indoor and outdoor woodworks. |
Other types of plywood for sale include:
Flexible plywood
Tropical plywood
Commercial plywood
MR grade plywood
Veneer core plywood
Composite plywood
Sanded plywood
Decorative plywood
Aside from knowing the different types of plywood, here are more details to help narrow down your list:
Wood grades – Letters A, B, C and D are the four main grades of plywood, A being the highest quality and D the lowest. Choose the higher grades for high-end projects that require excellent strength.
Sheet sizes – Plywood comes in an array of various lengths, widths, thicknesses and edges. Depending on the needs of your projects, you may opt for the flexible ones that form particular shapes or choose the thicker sheets to withstand heavy weights or different weather conditions.
Materials – Plywood can be made from softwood or hardwood.
What is the strongest plywood type?
Marine plywood is the strongest plywood out there. It can withstand moisture and high heat and it is generally water-resistant.
Can you recycle plywood?
Yes, plywood is recyclable and even reusable, but this can largely depend on the type used. Untreated, unpainted and unstained plywood can be converted into wood waste that can be turned into compost or mulch.
What is the cheapest plywood type?
Grade C and D plywood can be the cheapest type of plywood in terms of grade. This plywood grade can either have visible knots or noticeable gaps, or both.