To make the right decision in choosing the perfect plywood according to your needs, we will first talk about the types of plywood and their usage depending on the purpose it’s going to fulfill.
What is Plywood?
It is made up of multiple layers, making it a composite material. It is flexible as well as strong. They are used in place of wood and are also economical, i.e., easier on your pocket.
Features:
- High strength
- High resistance
- High stability
- Flexible
- Fire resistant
- Sound insulation
- Thermal insulation
Due to these features, they are in very high demand in the market.
How are Plywoods made?
To make plywood, logs are soaked with water and later put into a machine that does the job of shaving the log into sheets. These sheets are known as veneers. They are then bonded/glued together, forming plywoods.
Types of Plywood and about them:
- Hardwood
- Softwood
- Exterior
- Aircraft
- Marine
- Lumber core
- Structural
- Overlaid
About them:
- Hardwood: They are strong due to 3-7 layers of wood materials such as maple, oak, birch, walnut, etc. Due to this, they have a strong finish and can be used to make cases, furniture, equipment for sports, and even musical instruments such as guitars.
- Softwood: Made out of pine, cedar, redwood, etc. They are best used for temporary flooring, sheds, and shelves. It is, however, not recommended to use for outdoor purposes. It does lack some water resistance, regardless of being strong.
- Exterior: They are made for purposes such as fighting extreme weather conditions like rain and wind. They are made strong enough so that they could last for years, and they are often used for additional strength. Made up of strong wood materials like oak to withstand such extreme weather conditions.
- Aircraft: It is the most durable type of plywood available on the market. They can resist both moisture and heat. They are made of thin veneers, giving them features such as being flexible as well as light in weight. These types of plywood are used to make, as the name suggests, airplanes, furniture, and boats as well.
- Marine: They are water-resistant due to being varnished with an exterior glue which has a water-resistant property. Made up of Douglas fir wood or western larch, which are of the highest quality wood material and can be used for plywood. Marine plywoods are used for serving purposes of decorative things such as planters, etc., or outdoor furniture to add a little chic to your garden, along with it being strong and water-resistant.
- Lumber core: It is made up of glued-up strips of wood which are sandwiched by two thin sheets of veneer, this helps for things being screwed in easily, but too many screws or holes will eventually make it hollow. Hence, it becomes weak.
- Structural: They are used for building structures or frames which are later to be covered. Glued together with a very strong adhesive, and the best part, they are suitable for both indoors and outside; however, don’t consider them very water-resistant, and extreme weather conditions may eventually ruin them.
- Overlaid: Last but not the least, they are used for the purpose of decorating. They are made just like the other plywood mentioned above, but the difference is that their finishing is done by using veneer sheets of beautiful wood sheets on top. Making this plywood prettier, durable, and resistant to water and scratches as well.
Guide to buying the right plywood in India:
After knowing how they are made, their kinds, and their different features, we will now guide you on how to buy plywood sheets online in India.
1) Where will it be put into use?
- Whether it is for furniture in a place where there is a lack of moisture
- Whether it is a living room
- Whether it is for your office
- Whether it is for your kitchen
- Whether it is for your bathroom
After understanding where it will be used, follow the next step.
2) Grade of the plywood:
- If you want it to have strong water-resistant qualities, go for BWP
- If you want it to have strong fire resistance qualities, go for Fire retardant plywood
- Or if it is just to be used in places like your living room or maybe your bedroom, MR grade would be good enough.
3) Capacity of screw and nail involvement:
- After knowing the where and what kind, you will be able to figure out what the function of the plywood would be and how much involvement of nails and screws can it hold.
- If there is a lot of involvement of screws and nails, choose a type of plywood that wouldn’t cause it to split or ruin the quality of the plywood itself.
4) Certifications:
- Checking the certifications of the brand making this plywood is very important to know if they are termites free, whether it is eco-friendly, and does it resist the things the brands say the plywood does.
5) Warranty:
- Trust me, warranties are not just limited to technology and other products, products like plywood need warranties just the same, and we should check what kind of warranty the brand is giving us if they are giving us any.
- It is a great understanding of the standard of the brand, along with how good its products are. A brand that is dedicated to making products/plywoods of good qualities, along with those qualities that they might claim on their websites, will be ready to give warranties of a good amount of durations.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, all the information provided helps you make an informed decision as well as guides you properly while choosing plywood, especially online. All the steps mentioned above would help you understand plywood. You would then be able to understand the kind of plywood you need based on the purpose it would fulfill. Don’t miss out on important points such as the brand’s certification and the warranties they provide. Happy choosing!
