Plywood

Plywood is ideal for applications in residential and light-duty construction and is made from thin sheets of veneer that have been peeled from debarked wood. These thin layers, also called plies, are glued together in alternating, perpendicular directions to create a cross-graining pattern. This pattern results in added strength and stability that resists shrinkage and expansion, should it come in contact with moisture.

Plywood is an engineered wood from the manufactured boards family, which also includes particle board and oriented strand board (OSB). The types of wood species that are used in engineered plywood include ash, oak, birch, maple, cedar, spruce and pine.

This guide will walk you through the different uses of plywood, as well as explain its rating and grade system.

Uses

Plywood is a popular choice in construction because of its low cost. It is usually used in areas that are hidden from view in a post-construction capacity. The most common uses for plywood include support for floors, walls, roofs and garages in residential construction. When used for roofing, plywood panels are covered and protected by a variety of building materials that keep the elements at bay, including roof felt, underlayment, flashing and shingles. When used in flooring, plywood functions as the subfloor that supports hardwoods, tile and carpet floors.

Plywood makes up the majority of the walls and floors in attics, and are sometimes found in laundry rooms, closets and other unfinished areas in the home. It can also be made into fencing materials, packaging materials, scaffolding, shelving, sheds, shipping containers, cabinets and furniture.

Specifications

IS: 303 - MR Plywood, BWP/BWR Plywood, Flexi Ply

IS: 710 - Marine Plywood

IS: 10701 - Structural plywood

IS: 5509-1980 - Fire Retardant Plywood

IS: 4990 - Shuttering Plywood