Your Complete Guide To Choose The Right Plywood For Your Home!

Give your home a refreshing and contemporary look with the right plywood type. Your concern should be on choosing an ideal plywood type that is moisture-resistant and fire-resistant. There are various things you need to take into account to choose the best quality plywood. You must have an idea of plywood thickness, plywood grade, types of core material, veneer types, and other considerations.

Before you plan for a purchase, read this blog to understand the detailed considerations of plywood. 

7 Helpful Tips to Choose the Right Plywood 

Want to divide a room in two, in order to utilize the space better? Want to replace the old, worn bathroom door with a new one? Plywood can work wonders for all those types of construction. However, selecting the best plywood for home construction work is no easy task, especially since there are so many varieties available out there. Here are 7 helpful tips that can help you choose the right plywood faster, with less of a hassle:

Take the location of construction into account

Decide whether you need the best look or the best utility

There are some hardy variants of plywood that do not look as good as their weaker counterparts, but last way longer than the latter. If you are focusing on durability, then you can go for the former variants and set aside some of your budget for painting or staining them before use.

Select plywood of the right grade

Always use heavy duty plywood for construction works that will need to withstand a lot of punishment, such as a kitchen table, panels on a shower stall door, etc. However, for objects that will not face heavy usage, such as a partition in a room, or the insides of a cabinet, you can use affordable range of plywood to save money, and still get results that last for a long time.

Go for hardwood plywood’s

When buying plywood, be sure to look for labels that say 100% hardwood product. This indicates that the wood used in the ply came from deciduous trees, which lasts for ages if properly cared for. Consider our Ecotec plywood, for instance, which is made of Gurjan wood and lasts for ages. This can help you save money in the long run, although the initial costs will likely be a bit higher than softwood ply.

Locally manufactured plywood that you buy from lumber yards may not be of proper quality to ensure longevity of constructed objects. To ensure that the plywood you are investing in is good enough in quality, look for branded ones that carry the ISI mark.

Go for low-emission plywood

Look for non-stained plywood

Stained plywood can have imperfections in the grain hidden under the stains. For best results, buy unstained plywood and have it stained before construction. This will also help you get the perfect stain to match the rest of your home decor.

Keep these 7 pointers in mind and you should have no problem in selecting the right kind of plywood for home construction jobs. Also, be sure to try plywood from Greenply. You will likely find it is the best option you have come across.

Considerations for Plywood Thickness

The thickness and size of plywood will vary for different furnishing types. Here is the ideal plywood thickness of different furniture pieces;

• Plywood Thickness For Cabinets 

Plywood is a great choice for cabinets and furniture. These furnishing pieces should be maintained safely indoors, away from external hazards. For cabinets, 12mm thickness plywood is usually used. The thickness may vary based on the cabinet size because cabinets that have longer shelves require thicker plywood. This thickness is also an ideal choice for free-standing shelving.

• Plywood Thickness For Furniture

For furniture, you need plywood with a thickness of 19mm to 24mm. This size is suitable for manufacturing tables and drawer sets. Some also prefer to use it with a combination of 6mm and 12mm plywood. Plywood thickness for other furniture components is varied based on requirements. If you want sturdy plywood that can withstand heavy weight, you need to go for a thicker piece of plywood. 

• Plywood Thickness For Flooring

If you want to do plywood flooring at your home, you must check out for specialised plywood flooring products. The ideal plywood thickness for flooring purposes is between 16mm to 25mm. You will find different structural grades with thickness to choose the right plywood for flooring.

• Plywood Thickness For Walls

Do you want to install plywood walls? The ideal thickness you need to go for is 12mm plywood. It is best to offer solid support. However, based on the structure and techniques applied to build the wall, you may have to increase the thickness of your plywood.

Types of Plywood Core Materials

• Combination Core

Combination Core are of two types. The first type has a crossband veneer on either side and a centre veneer core. It also has a layer of MDF, hardboard, or particleboard. The second type has a wafer board centre with a veneer crossband on either side.

• MDF Core

If you are looking for plywood with uniform thickness and consistency, go for Medium Density Fiberboard Core. Here, there is no requirement for a crossband veneer. Only the face and back veneer are glued directly to the MDF Core. The thickness consistency of MDF Core panels makes it an ideal choice for 32mm construction.

• Lumber Core

Lumber is glued into a solid slab to form a Lumber Core. Lumber plywood is most commonly found in imported panel construction. The panels are 18mm thick. Lumber Core plywood consists of a layer of face and back veneer. Then, it has a layer of crossband veneer, with the lumbar edge glued in between.

• Particleboard Core

The particleboard plywood core panels are constructed like the MDF Core panels. The face and back veneers are glued to the core. It also lays flat like an MDF core. The particleboard plywood doesn’t have the screw-hold strength. This is the cheapest plywood core among other types.

• Veneer Core

The Veneer core plywood type has crossband veneers and centre veneers. These are alternately layered on either side of the centre to achieve the desired thickness with an odd number of veneers for the core. The Veneer Core plywood has great weight-bearing strength. It also has the best bending strength and great screw-holding ability. Moreover, veneer core panels are lighter in weight than other core types.

Understanding Plywood Veneer Types

Understanding different types of plywood veneer is essential for choosing the right material for your next furnishing project. You need to understand these veneer types in order to choose the right plywood to meet the functional and aesthetic requirements. Investing in the right veneer will enhance the overall quality of your project.

Here are the major types of plywood veneer types:

• Rotary Cut Veneer: Made by peeling a log in a continuous roll, this veneer shows a broad, variegated grain pattern and is often used in economical plywood due to its higher yield.

• Plain Sliced (Flat Sliced) Veneer: Cut parallel to the centre of the log, this type offers a traditional, cathedral grain pattern. It’s common in furniture and cabinetry for its aesthetic appeal.

• Rift Sawn Veneer: Similar to quarter sawn but with a unique, linear grain pattern, it’s ideal for high-end applications where consistency is crucial, such as in modern and minimalist designs.

• Quarter Sawn Veneer: Cut at right angles to the growth rings, this veneer has a straight, uniform grain and is valued for its stability and decorative appearance, often used in fine furniture.

• Composite Veneer: Engineered from dyed wood fibres, this veneer can mimic various wood species and grain patterns, offering versatility and uniformity, and is often used in commercial settings.

Evaluating Plywood for Moisture Resistance

If you are living in a high-moisture environment, you need to go for moisture-resistant plywood. In order to choose the right plywood for moisture-resistant, you need to follow the below considerations;

• Understanding Plywood Grades

Plywood comes in different types with different qualities and uses. The moisture-resistant plywood types are MR-grade plywood, BWR-grade plywood, and BWP-grade plywood. In order to choose the perfect plywood for your home, you need to determine the specific goals of your plywood. You need to consider your indoor and outdoor placement. Also, you need to consider the desired decorative finish and structural support. 

• Glue Types 

When choosing the right type of plywood for high-humidity environments, pay attention to the type of adhesive used in plywood construction. There are different types of glue, such as glue, epoxy, urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, phenol, formaldehyde resin, spray glue, wood glue, cyanoacrylate, construction glue, impact glue, hot glue, and formaldehyde. In addition, phenolic glue or melamine glue is often used in moisture-proof plywood. Using Class A waterproofing adhesive is the most effective solution for moisture environments.

• Check Out Core Material

Another important tip is to choose the right core material for a high-moisture environment. The core material of plywood will differ from softwood to hardwood. It can also be a combination of both. Consider the application and environment where the selected plywood will be used. Most commonly, hardwood core plywood is more suitable for areas with high moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoors, while softwood plywood is used for general purposes. Individuals have to ensure that choosing core material that matches their basic requirements is designed to withstand moisture, sunlight, and temperature fluctuations without deteriorating.

• Veneer Quality

People usually suffer by ending up with the wrong plywood material as they do not have an idea of veneer quality. So, here is one of the common tips for choosing the right plywood for high-humidity environments considering high-quality veneer. Choose a veneer that has no knots, voids, or imperfections. This will help you maintain a smooth, defect-free surface, which can overcome the risk of moisture penetration and improve overall durability. Go for plywood that has well-defined layers to avoid delamination.

Surface Finish and Appearance

The surface finish and appearance of plywood are based on several factors. It includes the type of veneer and core material used. You should also consider additional treatment applications. Veneers usually range from smooth and uniform types to distinct grain patterns and colour variations. Moreover, the surface finishes of plywood, including stains or paints, will further impact the plywood's appearance. 

You need to check out the surface finish, which allows customization to match the specific aesthetics of your interior. In addition, to ensure the quality of plywood, you need to consider the grade of veneers as well as its manufacturing processes. Make sure the final appearance of the plywood meets your functional and aesthetic needs and is suitable for a wide range of applications.

Considering Environmental Factors

Are you highly concerned about the environmental factors involved in purchasing plywood? Then, you need to consider the environmental factors for plywood. Your focus should be on sustainability, certifications, and emissions. Let’s discuss the environmental factors in detail;

• Sustainability: Select plywood, which is made from sustainably harvested wood. Check out for options where plywood is manufactured, sourcing from renewable species and following green solutions. 

• Recycling and Waste Output: Invest in plywood that is made of recycled wood fibres or by-products. It will reduce waste and environmental impact.

• Energy Consumption: You also have to evaluate the plywood manufacturing process. Make sure the manufacturing process includes energy-efficient methods and that waste products are used to minimise environmental impact further.

• Emissions: Go for low-emission plywood in order to eliminate indoor air pollution. You need to consider low or zero-added formaldehyde adhesives for better air quality.

• Certifications: You should also check out for certifications that ensure that the wood is sourced sustainably and responsibly without causing any harm to the environment or resources. 

Conclusion

Are you ready to invest in the right plywood for your home furnishing and décor? Make sure to go for moisture-resistant plywood, which is best for kitchen and bathroom areas. Also, it is suitable for both exterior and interior applications. Make sure the plywood is specifically designed with structural strength and integrity to provide greater impact resistance. 

Also, ensure it absorbs the effects of water pressure and movement. Do not forget to check out the veneer quality and core material. At Greenply, we have GREEN MR PLYWOOD, which is 100% composed of core and selected hardwood species. It can withstand weather changes and assures great durability.

FAQs

Q1. Which plywood type is best for a home's interior and exterior?

MR or moisture-resistant plywood is the best choice due to its sturdy, durable nature and ability to resist moisture and water. You can use this plywood to manufacture cabinets, small tables, sofas, and other furniture pieces.

Q2. Which plywood type is waterproof?

BWP Grade Plywood, which is known as “boiling waterproof" plywood, is completely waterproof. It is also referred to as Marine plywood. Moreover, it is also extremely durable and versatile in nature.

Q3. How to identify waterproof plywood products?

A good waterproof plywood product has IS:303 MR certified. You need to check out the certifications to know the quality before making a purchase.