Vietawoods – There are a variety of ways in which plywood is classified and these classifications are usually based on the different aspects of plywood such as the wood used, the number of plies it has, its suitability for indoor and outdoor use, its grading as per quality specifications, and its intended uses.
In this article we will have a detailed look at the different types of plywood available.
How shopkeepers classify plywood
If you visit any of the plywood shops in your locality and ask for the types of plywood available, the most likely answer that you can expect to get is that there are two types, commercial and marine. Some dealers also will say that there are waterproof types available.
The major types of Plywood.
Interior and Exterior Grade plywood
As the names suggest, interior grade plywood is meant for indoor use, while exterior grade is waterproof and can be used outdoors. The most common type of plywood that is used for making furniture for our homes and offices is Commercial plywood (which is Interior MR grade). The acronym ‘MR’ stands for ‘Moisture resistant’.
BWP (Boiling Water Proof) or BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) plywoods are called exterior grade plywoods. They are made using phenolic resins and are adequately waterproof.
Commercial, Waterproof, and Marine Grade
When dealers says Commercial ply, they mean MR grade, and when they say ‘Water proof plywood’ what they generally mean by that is BWP/BWR grade plywood. However there are many shopkeepers as well as interior designers who often refer to BWP/BWR grade plywood as ‘Marine ply’ as this has become sort of a naming convention in the plywood market. (however technically speaking this is incorrect, since the actual ‘Marine grade plywood’ is different from BWP/BWR grade waterproof plywood. Its of a superior quality and used in marine applications).
A plywood sheet having ISI mark photographed at a carpenter’s shop in Navi Mumbai, India. The IS specification number IS:303 is mentioned above, and a CM/L number (Licence number) is mentioned below the ISI mark.
Marine Plywood
Marine Plywood is of a superior quality compared to Commercial ply and it is also costs a lot more. It is not usually used for indoor applications such as for making furniture. It is rather used for applications such as for boat building and other industrial uses where the plywood is bound to get a prolonged exposure to water.
For making furniture, commercial plywood is usually sufficient.(BWP/BWR resist water better than MR types. So for kitchen furniture using BWP/BWR is quite common). For furniture that is unlikely to get wet, MR grade ply is usually good enough.
Types of plywood based on the type of wood used
Generally hardwood is used for making plywood, because it is stronger and more durable, however some manufacturers may also use softwood for making lower cost plywoods. Still other manufacturers can use a combination of both woods, with some wood veneers of hardwood and others of softwood.
Hardwood Plywood
For example made from teak wood, or gurjan wood or birch wood. If all the veneers used in making the plywood have been obtained from hardwood trees it will be termed as 100% hardwood plywood and its cost will be higher.
Softwood Plywood
For example made from woods like cedar, SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) or Mango wood.
Categorization based on the particular wood (tree) used in its making.
For example:
Gurjan plywood
Teak plywood
Redwood plywood
SPF Plywood
More terminology and usage based classifications
MR grade: Moisture Resistant
The most common type of plywood used for indoor furniture. Note that moisture resistant does not mean water proof. It only means that the plywood can resist a certain amount of humidity or dampness.
BWR and BWP grades
The BWP (Boiling Water proof) grade is generally used to indicate grade of External grade blockboards (which are different from plywood and consist of blocks of softwood at the core) and BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) grade is used to indicate External grade plywood. Both these naming conventions BWP and BWR mean almost the same thing in terms of quality. Such types of plywood can be called adequately water-proof for most furniture requirements.
Flexible Plywood:
Also called ‘flexi ply’ in India. In some countries such as US, it is also known by another name ‘bendy ply’. This type of plywood is not stiff and can be easily rolled up. Useful for creating rounded shapes in furniture.
FR grade: Fire Retardant
Used in places where fire risks have to be reduced such as in the case of public theatres, malls or shopping complexes, restaurant kitchens and the like. The surface of this type of plywood is treated with chemicals that delay the burning process of wood (hence called fire retardant).
Marine grade: Marine Grade Plywood
Commonly used for marine applications such as in the construction of boats and ships. Has better resistance to water than any other type of plywood.
Termite-Resistant and Borer-proof
As the name suggests, offers protection from external pests that can destroy the wood.
Structural Plywood
Suitable for construction applications where structural stability is required. Quality specifications detailed in document IS: 10701
Concrete Shuttering Plywood
Used in building construction work to create the wooden moulds into which concrete will be case. Hence called concrete shuttering plywood. Can be reused several times before being discarded or used for other purposes.
Film-faced shuttering plywood has a shiny phenolic film over the surface, so that the concrete does not stick to the plywood, and the dampness does not damage the ply.
Classification of plywood based on size, thickness and number of plies.
A piece of plywood that was damaged during the Mumbai floods in the year 2005. Individual layers of ply are seen coming apart, and the tear lines on the individual sheets show the alternating grain pattern that is used in the making of plywood.
Plywood sheets are made by bonding several individual wood veneers (plies) together. Veneers are thin layers of wood usually obtained by rotary cutting timber logs obtained from trees. Rotary cut means that the logs are rotated along their longitudinal axis using machines, and a cutter peels layers (slices) from the log while it is being rotated. These thin slices of wood (called veneers) are then pressed and bonded together using phenolic resins.
A plywood sheet is made up of at least 3 veneers (plies) if not more.
For example:
3 ply
5 ply
13 ply etc.
(Number of plies are always an odd number)
When more number of veneers are used, the thickness as well as the cost of the plywood increases.
Thickness:
18 mm ply
19 mm ply etc.
Standard size sheets are manufactured by most manufacturers. While thickness is usually measured in mm (metric system), the prevalent naming convention for sheet sizes is still in feet. Prices are also based on cost per sq.foot.
Sizes of the sheets:
6 x 4 sheet (6 feet by 4 feet)
8 x 4 sheet (8 feet by 4 feet) etc.
Ways in which Plywood is decorated
Laminates:
Decorative Laminates such as Sunmica or others (which are actually a blend of paper and plastic) are glued over the plywood surfaces. Laminates are available in a very wide variety of colours, patterns and textures, and is the most common way of decorating plywood furniture and panels.
Paints:
Paint has for long been a way of protecting wood and increasing its beauty. It is a low-cost alternative to laminates or veneers and a large choice of wood colours are available.
Polish:
Wood Polish is usually used on wooden furniture that is made of quality hardwoods such as teak, however polishing plywood is not uncommon. Carpenters often use wood polish (of darker colours) on some parts of furniture (such as the underside of tables and the inside planks of single and double beds).
Veneer:
Wood veneers are thin slices/sheets of quality woods such as teak, which can be glued over the plywood surface to increase its beauty and make it look richer. Most casual observers cannot differentiate between a piece of solid teakwood furniture and one that simply has a teak veneer on the outside. Veneers are usually the costliest way of decorating plywood.
Company Branded plywood vs. locally made brands of plywood
The laminates and plywood market still has a very large unorganized sector. This consists of many small-scale plywood manufacturers making plywood sheets and selling it to the local market. The bigger reputed plywood companies manufacture most of the types of plywood, while the local brands mainly focus on Commercial MR grade plywood. Additionally many of the bigger plywood brands have now also ventured into the manufacturing of particle boards and MDF boards.