Different varieties of Types of Plywood exist for different applications:
Decorative hardwood plywood
Types of Plywood like Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Associations (HPVA) defines Hardwood plywood as a manufactured panel made up of three or more thin plies of hardwood (ie. red oak), laid on top of each other, with the grain of each ply running perpendicular to the one on either side of it. Plywood offers a strong, inexpensive, and environmentally responsible alternative to its solid wood counterparts.
Types of Plywood like substrate such as Veneer Core, MDF, or Particleboard are typically faced with hardwood species, including cherry, walnut, ash, white oak, red oak, birch, maple, mahogany, rosewood, teak, and a large number of other species. Decorative hardwood plywood is generally used for cabinets, wall-paneling, furniture, and mill-work.
Marine plywood
Marine plywood is manufactured from durable face and core veneers, with few defects; so it performs longer in both humid and wet conditions and resists delaminating and fungal attack. Its construction is such that it can be used in environments where it is exposed to moisture for long periods. Each wood veneer will be the same species throughout (Fir, Okoume, and Meranti), and have minimal core gap, limiting the chance of trapping water in the plywood and hence providing a solid and stable glue bond. It uses an exterior Water and Boil Proof (WBP) glue.
Okoumé and Meranti Marine plywood can be graded as being compliant with BS-1088 or BS-6566, which is a British Standard for marine plywood. Some marine plywood has a Lloyd’s of London stamp that certifies it to be BS 1088 or 6566 compliant.
BS-1088 grading requires the same species throughout (face, back, and core), defect-free A Grade Face veneer with no repairs. Back veneer is to have no more than two repairs. Both Face and Back Veneer are a minimum of 1mm thick after sanding and core gaps cannot exceed 1mm.
BS-6566 grading requires that Face veneers shall be at least 1mm thick after sanding. No wood repairs are used in the face. Inner ply’s can consist of two or more species of veneer and core gaps shall not exceed 3.2mm (1/8″). Gaps shall be putty filled to protect from moisture
Marine Fir AB is marine-grade plywood that is produced entirely of Fir veneers. The Panel is sanded on both faces. The maximum core-gap size permitted is 1/8 inch. Its exposure durability rating is EXTERIOR and the glue used is a water resistant structural adhesive. It is considered a premium grade panel for use in situations where these characteristics are required.
Marine plywood is frequently used in the construction of boats, docks, outdoor signs, counter top underlayment, and anywhere that requires prolonged exposure to outdoor elements.
Medium Density Overlay (MDO)
MDO is made with a high-quality paper that is saturated with phenolic resin and overlaid on exterior-grade plywood panels. Specially selected veneers, beneath the overlay, provides a smooth surface ideal for painting. MDO is manufactured with waterproof resins that meet or exceed all veneer-grade, adhesion, and construction requirements.
Innerplies and backs are all “C” grade or better. The overlay is bonded to the specially selected veneer for a smooth, paintable surface. MDO may be specified with paper overlay on one or two sides and primed or unprimed.
MDO is generally used for truck and trailer liners, signs, soffits and fascias, boxes and crates, exterior color accent panels, garage doors panels, cabinets and built-ins, and any applications where long lasting paint or coating performance is required.
Russian/Baltic Birch Plywood
Baltic Birch, also known as “Russian Birch”, is an imported plywood that is light in color. Baltic Birch is typically manufactured as a multi-ply product, having more plies(or layers) than standard domestic plywood. Baltic birch is a plywood product native to the northeastern region of Europe around the Baltic Sea.
Baltic Birch is most widely know for its multi-ply construction that gives it an attractive edge. Baltic Birch is valued for its appealing light color, and features a uniform grain, smooth texture, and outstanding durability. Baltic Birch varies in thickness and contains an odd number of plies. The two outer plies, which comprise the front and back, show vertical wood grain which typically runs lengthwise throughout the sheets. The inner plies have alternating horizontal or vertical grain, which provides increased strength and resistance to warping or moisture damage.
Baltic Birch is widely used because of its pleasing appearance; it is a wood typically used for cabinetry and other furniture. Baltic birch is suitable for a variety of projects, from cabinetmaking to building construction.
Softwood plywood
Softwood panel is usually made either of spruce, pine, and fir (collectively known as spruce-pine-fir or SPF) and is typically used for construction and industrial purposes including sheathing, roofing, sub-flooring, crating, and packaging.
The number of plies depends on the thickness and grade of the sheet but at least three are required as the minimum odd number of plies. Plywood for sub-flooring applications is often tongue and groove; this prevents one board from moving up or down relative to its neighbor, this provides a solid feeling floor when the joints do not lie over joists.
Tropical plywood
Tropical plywood is made of mixed species of tropical wood. Originally from the Asian region, it is now also manufactured in African and South American countries. Tropical plywood is superior to softwood plywood because of its density, strength, evenness of layers, and high quality. It is the preferred choice for construction purposes in many regions because of its low cost.
Bending/Flexible plywood
Flexible plywood is designed for making curved parts, a practice which dates back to the 1850s in furniture making.
Bending plywood comes in long grain and short grain sheets with a very thin cross grain central ply and two thicker exterior plies. Bending plywood is often glued together in two layers, once it is formed into the desired curve, so that the final shape will be stiff and resist movement. Often, decorative wood veneers are added as a surface layer.
Other types of plywoods
Other types of plywood include fire-retardant, pressure-treated, moisture-resistant, wire mesh, anti-slip, and aircraft. Each of these products is designed to fill a need in industry.
BRANDS YOU CAN TRUST
We carry only the highest quality wood products by the best brands in the industry. We carefully select the brands we distribute; they must be of the highest quality and employ the very latest in industry standards. We take our product selection very seriously because we want only the best for our clients. Your satisfaction is our top concern.
Chesapeake Plywood 3400 East Biddle Street. Baltimore MD, 21213
Tel: 410-244-0055 – Fax: 410-244-1269
OFFICE HOURS
MON: 8:00AM - 4:00pm
TUE: 8:00AM - 4:00pm
WED: 8:00AM - 4:00pm
THU: 8:00AM - 4:00pm
FRI: 8:00AM - 4:00pm
SAT & SUN: Closed
Trucking Jobs Available
Hiring CDL Drivers
