Plywood is a type of engineered wood that is manufactured by thin layers or “plies” of wood veneer, which are glued together with adjacent layers on top of each other, and their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another.
Plywood is known for its variety of uses and is in great demand. Plywood is one of the most versatile materials, and for this reason, it is widely used in construction and architecture sites. Plywood suppliers are in great demand due to the quality of plywood.
In this blog, we shall look at seven common plywood uses and how they can provide you with advantages in construction projects.
How Is Plywood Made?
Plywood is made up of three or more wooden layers which are bonded together with an adhesive. The thin layers of plies are oriented by using wooden grain running at rights angles to increase the strength of the wooden pieces.
Plywood can be made from softwood, hardwood, or a combination of both of them. The common hardwoods used for making plywood include maple, mahogany, ash, teak, and oak. And the common softwoods used for plywood include cedar, pine, spruce, Douglas fir, and redwood.
Plywood is made by first cutting the appropriate trees; then, the wood is extracted from them. Wood is shaped in the forms of logs, and then the logs are loaded on a truck. The logs are shifted to factories where the logs are cut into veneers of appropriate length and width.
Types of Plywood
The following are the common types of plywood, which are widely used for many projects.
1. Structural Plywood
Structural plywood veneers are used for permanent construction projects and structures. Structural plywood is ideal for construction as it can withstand weather exposure and stress.
2. Exterior Plywood
Exterior plywood is used for outdoor projects. Exterior plywood is manufactured by binding together water-resistant glues and is water-resistant. It is painted to make it more durable against foreign elements such as wind, water, and sun.
3. Interior Plywood
Interior is widely used for aesthetic purposes as opposed to constructive purposes or for providing durability to the structure. Interior plywood is kept away from foreign elements such as wind, air, and heat of the sun as it is comparatively a lot more fragile compared to other types of plywood.
4. Marine Plywood
The use of marine plywood is very specific, and it is frequently used in marine structures that require waterproofing. Marine plywood is stress-resistant and moisture resistant and therefore is a great option for use in docks and boats.
7 Common Practical Uses for Plywood
Plywood has plenty of uses for construction projects due to its versatile nature. Depending on the plywood use, any kind of wood can be used, such as softwood, hardwood, or a combination of them.
1. Exterior Wall Sheathing
Exterior Wall sheathing is one of the best methods to strengthen your wall system, it provides your wall with a nailing base for siding purposes, and it protects your wall from the influence of the outside elements.
There are two types of exterior wall sheathing, i.e., Structural and non-structural. Structural exterior wall sheathing is done by tying framing studs together. Structural exterior wall sheathing makes the wall system resistant to twists and bends.
Non-structural exterior wall sheathing is done by adding insulation to the building’s envelope. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing prevents the entering of outside elements such as wind and water. Non-structural exterior wall sheathing also acts as a radiant barrier.
Usually, in structural exterior wall sheathing, plywood frames are frequently used. Plywood sheathing is made from cross-laminated whole sheets of wood, which adds to the sheath’s strength and stiffness.
2. Interior Walls
Many types of plywood are frequently used in the paneling of wood and framing of interior stud walls. Plywood can be a great decorative option for interior wall paneling; the plywood is mostly not visible for the final finish; however, A-grade plywood is a great option for facing inwards.
After framing the interior stud walls with plywood, the plywood’s face can be painted or stained to provide a visual appeal.
3. Roofing and Flooring
When it comes to roofing and flooring of construction projects that have a wooden framework, both Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and plywood are frequently used for exterior sheathing. OSB is manufactured by small rectangular-shaped wooden chips that are collected from resinous trees and are bonded into panels using waxes and synthetic resins.
However, plywood is manufactured from thin sheets of wood cut from spinning logs and then are bonded together using glue and wooden grain used to orientate the veneers by providing it alternating directions to increase the strength of the plywood veneers.
Plywood is a better and more versatile sheathing option for roofs and floors. They are generally more durable due to their veneer strength and provide a firm base to fix the tiles. The tongue-and-groove edges of the plywood veneer make them a good flooring material as well as they can carry more load.
4. Concrete Forms
Concrete forms are solid barriers used to keep the fluid concretes in shape until the liquid hardens and takes solid concrete. The newly formed concrete and the solid barrier make up for great resistance against foreign elements such as water, provide insulation, and make up for a visual appeal.
When it comes to concrete forming, wholesale plywood is readily available. Plywood can be a great barrier to keeping the fluid concretes in shape due to their strength and versatile nature. Since plywood is easy to work with and is lightweight, wholesale plywood suppliers are in great demand for concrete forms.
5. Use In Furniture
Plywood is one of the best options to make wooden furniture. Plywood is cost-effective and provides practical advantages for furniture projects. When they need one side of their furniture to look more visually appealing, many manufacturers use a veneer of plywood while leaving the rest of the furniture with normal wood.
The fact that plywood can easily be used with other kinds of woods adds to its practical advantages. Plywood is frequently used in the finest solid furniture due to its great resistance to the wooden furniture’s cracking.
Plywood adds many benefits to furniture making. Plywood is light and makes the furniture lightweight and easy to handle. Plywood layers are thin and do not absorb moisture from the air or give it off like other wood types and therefore do not expand or shrink.
Along with these benefits, it also provides the furniture with an elegant visual appeal and makes up for a stable structure for the wooden furniture. Plywood is used in hutch backs, drawer bottoms, bed panels, bookshelves, cabinet doors, panels, backs of desks, backs of cabinets, and backs of credenzas.
Mostly, the usual wooden materials used in furniture are vulnerable to cupping and warping of the wood. But when plywood is used, both of these problems are solved. Plywood’s versatile nature makes up for a strong structure that prevents wooden frames from cracking.
6. Sports Equipment And Other Projects
Plywood is not limited to flooring, roofing, and furniture projects. It can also be used for constructing sports equipment and can be used in high-end loudspeakers. Plywood veneers have an impact-resistant surface, which makes it ideal for making skateboards and gym equipment such as benches.
It also provides a good grip to hold. The plywood materials are long-lasting and very sustainable; therefore, the products made using plywood material generally have an extended lifetime. Since the wood is moisture resistant, it does not absorb sweat when someone is working out and therefore does not damage with time, which adds to its lifetime extension.
Plywood material does not contain the toxins which most plastic materials have, such as BPA, PVC, or phthalates. Wooden materials are relatively natural, more durable, and versatile. Due to their added benefits, plywood veneers are used in playground equipment, musical instruments, and sports equipment.
7. General and Specific Projects
Plywood is one of the easiest wooden materials to work with and is therefore optimal for home projects and DIY projects. Plywood is great for both outdoor and indoor projects. It is great for indoor wooden cabinets as well as outdoor houses.
Due to plywood’s flexibility and impact resistance, it is great for moving surfaces such as drawers. Plywood can also be used for renovating the homes. If you want to provide your home walls or furniture with a visual appeal, then you can easily face your wood wall with a plywood veneer and paint it.
Plywood is great for creating signs and fences for advertisement or decoration. Plywood can be used for special applications as well as general projects. Some special cases include the use of plywood in marine projects such as docks and boats due to its high resistance towards stress and moisture resistance.
Structural plywood is a great option for building beams, internal structures, subfloors, wall bracing, shipping crates, roof bracing, and other permanent structures meant to withstand moisture, weather, and stress.
Where Can I Buy Premium Plywood?
Are you looking for a high-quality plywood supplier?
Look no further than Plywood Logistics. As a reputable plywood supplier, it provides premium plywood for construction all over the USA. Buyers can buy plywood at affordable prices from Plywood Logistics. By buying plywood directly from Plywood Logistics, you can cut the price of the agent’s commission. Go to https://plywoodlogistics.com/ and order today from endless options of plywood!
Conclusion
Plywood is a highly versatile wood with plenty of uses, both general and special. Wholesale plywood distributors supply plywood for various manufacturing projects such as sports equipment, marine projects, gym equipment, wooden furniture, musical equipment, aviation part making, and home construction.