VIE
Plywood is one of the most versatile and widely used engineered wood products in the world. Whether you’re building furniture, designing interiors, or working on construction projects, choosing the right plywood types is crucial. With varying grades, core structures, and surface treatments, each type of plywood is designed to meet specific needs. This article will guide you through the different types of plywood, helping you understand their properties, advantages, and ideal applications.
Main Content
Overview of plywood types
Plywood is a versatile engineered wood used in furniture, interiors and construction. Choosing the right type of plywood is important, as each type differs in grade, core and surface treatment. Let’s first understand the concept of plywood.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is a highly versatile engineered wood product that has revolutionized modern construction and furniture-making. Unlike solid wood, which can warp or crack over time, plywood is designed for superior durability, strength, and flexibility. It is made by bonding multiple thin layers of wood veneer together with adhesives under high heat and pressure. Each layer is arranged with alternating grain directions, which enhances structural integrity and minimizes expansion or contraction due to moisture changes. Because of its balance between affordability, strength, and workability, plywood is widely used across various industries, from interior design to heavy-duty construction.
Plywood Manufacturing Process
According to the plywood types, the manufacturer process can have different aims to optimize quality and price. Understanding how plywood is made provides insight into its strength and reliability. The process includes several crucial steps:
Step 1: Harvesting raw logs
Step 2: Debarking and veneer peeling
Step 3: Veneer sorting and drying
Step 4: Veneer stitching and glue application
Step 5: Veneer layering (Lay-up Process)
Step 6: Cold pressing & Hot pressing (Core Bonding Process)
Step 7: Surface repair & finishing
Step 8: Sanding & Initial trimming
Step 9: Core sealing & Surface lamination
Step 10: Surface cold & hot pressing
Step 11: Final sanding & Precision cutting
Step 12: Quality inspection & packaging
Plywood Types and Their Classifications
Plywood is categorized based on its surface quality, core composition, structural format, and application suitability. Each plywood type has specific characteristics that determine its best use.
Plywood Types Based on Grades
Plywood grades based on surface quality and veneer imperfections. Understanding these grades helps in selecting the right plywood for your project.
Grade A: Premium quality with a smooth, sanded surface and minimal defects. Ideal for visible surfaces in high-end furniture and cabinetry.
Grade B: Slightly more imperfections but still suitable for painting and interior applications.
Grade C: More knots and patches, commonly used for structural purposes where aesthetics are not a concern.
Grade D: The lowest grade, often used in subflooring and industrial applications where strength matters more than appearance.
Plywood Types by Core Composition
The core of plywood plays a crucial role in its durability, weight, and workability. Different core materials offer distinct advantages:
Rubber Core: Known for its moderate density and stability, rubberwood-core plywood is an excellent choice for interior furniture and cabinets. It provides a good balance between cost and performance.
Eucalyptus Core: This high-density core offers exceptional strength and durability, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications such as flooring and structural panels.
Pine Core: Lightweight and easy to handle, pine-core plywood is often used in decorative furniture and interior projects where weight is a concern.
Plywood Types by Face Materials
The outermost layer of plywood affects its aesthetics, durability, and usability. Common face types include:
Natural Veneer: Offers an authentic wood grain finish, suitable for fine furniture and interior décor.
Melamine: Provides excellent resistance to scratches, moisture, and stains, making it ideal for kitchen cabinets and office furniture.
Film Faced: Used primarily in construction, especially in concrete formwork, due to its water-resistant surface.
Laminated: Available in a variety of colors and textures, laminated plywood is perfect for decorative applications.
Painted: Pre-painted surfaces save time and effort in finishing applications.
Structural Types: Tailored for specific applications
Plywood can be engineered for specific structural requirements:
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber): LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is a high-strength engineered wood product made by bonding multiple thin layers of wood veneer together using adhesives under heat and pressure. The veneers in LVL are typically oriented in the same direction along the length of the board, resulting in superior strength and stability.
LVB (Laminated Veneer Board): LVB is another type of plywood that consists of multiple veneer layers bonded together. Unlike LVL, the veneer grain in LVB is arranged in alternating directions (cross-laminated), enhancing its strength in multiple directions.
LVD (Normal Plywood): It is a standard form of laminated veneer wood designed for heavy-duty applications, particularly in flooring and decking structures. It features layers of wood arranged in alternating directions, with one vertical layer followed by one horizontal layer. This cross-layered structure enhances stability and load distribution, making LVD highly suitable for flat furniture and flooring applications.
Plywood Types for Structural Applications
Plywood is a versatile engineered wood product used across various industries, from furniture manufacturing to construction and marine applications. Choosing the right plywood types depends on factors such as moisture resistance, durability, and intended use. Below, we explore the key types of plywood and their specific applications.
Indoor Plywood – Interior Plywood
Interior plywood is primarily designed for indoor use, making it ideal for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. It is manufactured with interior-grade adhesives that provide moderate strength but are not highly resistant to moisture. Common wood species used include birch, poplar, and rubberwood. While cost-effective, interior plywood is best kept away from damp environments.
Outdoor Plywood – Exterior Plywood
Outdoor or exterior plywood is specially plywood grade to withstand moisture and weather exposure. This plywood type uses waterproof adhesives, such as phenolic resin, to ensure long-lasting durability. It is commonly used in applications like roofing, siding, and outdoor furniture. Many exterior plywood types are treated to resist rot, fungi, and insect damage, making them suitable for outdoor structures.
Commercial Plywood
Commercial plywood, also known as general-purpose plywood, is widely used in interior applications, including furniture, paneling, and partitions. It is bonded with Urea Formaldehyde (UF) or Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde (MUF) adhesives, which offer moderate moisture resistance. With a smooth veneer surface, commercial plywood is easy to finish and is a popular choice for residential and office furniture.
Marine Plywood
Marine plywood is the highest plywood grade designed for extreme moisture exposure. It is made with waterproof and boil-resistant adhesives (typically Phenol Formaldehyde) and high-quality, void-free hardwood veneers to prevent water damage and delamination. This makes it ideal for marine environments, such as boat construction, docks, and humid areas where ordinary plywood would deteriorate quickly.
Standard Sizes of Plywood Sheets
Plywood sheets come in a variety of standard dimensions to accommodate different applications.
1. Dimensions
Common sizes: 4×8 ft (1220×2440 mm), 3×6 ft (910×1820 mm), and other custom sizes upon request.
2. Thickness
Available thickness options: 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 25mm, etc.
Application-based selection: Thicker sheets provide structural support for flooring and walls, while thinner sheets are preferred for decorative and lightweight furniture.
ADX Plywood – Your trusted Plywood supplier from Vietnam
When choosing a plywood supplier, quality, reliability, and customization are key factors. ADX Plywood is a leading manufacturer in Vietnam, offering high-quality plywood products tailored to various industry needs. Our state-of-the-art factory ensures consistency in production, adherence to international standards, and the capacity to handle large-scale orders.
Why Choose ADX Plywood?
Advanced manufacturing: Equipped with cutting-edge technology, ensuring precision and superior quality.
Sustainable sourcing: Committed to responsible forestry practices to promote eco-friendly materials.
Customization options: We provide tailored plywood solutions for furniture, construction, and specialized applications.
Global supply capability: With robust production capacity, we fulfill bulk orders efficiently for both domestic and international markets.
By understanding the various plywood types, grades, and applications, businesses and consumers can make informed decisions when selecting the right plywood for their projects. Whether for furniture, construction, or marine use, ADX Plywood offers high-quality solutions tailored to your needs.
Contact Information
Headquarters: Sarimi B2-00.07, Sala Urban Area, An Loi Dong Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
Factory: Bac Dong Hoi Industrial Area, Thuan Duc Commune, Dong Hoi City, Quang Binh Province
Hotline: 0937 09 88 99 | 0902 317 486
Email: info@adxplywood.com
Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/adxplywood