Plywood: 10 Things You Need to Know

There's more to plywood than meets the eye.

Plywood is a material that’s been used for decades because it's cheap and durable. But don’t underestimate it just because it’s cheap. There are plenty of reasons why you should use it in your home. For one, its surface can be made to look like real wood or metal or something else.

Plywood also offers unique design options because of its natural ability to bend and curve during the manufacturing process. In this blog post, we’ll be talking about the rising popularity of plywood as a building material of both homes and commercial establishments of today. Who knows? You might also discover something else along the way.

Without further ado, here are the things you might want to know about plywood for your home remodeling and renovation needs.

1. Think of it as a cake made of layers of wood and glue

Plywood is made up of thin sheets of wood that are laminated together with various types of adhesives. The finished product often looks like veneer or hardwood; however, it can be crafted to look like metal, too. Though plywood has gotten a bad rap for being “cheap,” it's an extremely resilient building material.

2. It has natural bend-ability

Plywood is so versatile because it can be bent during the manufacturing process, allowing designers to create unique bends and curves for their projects.

3. It comes from the word “to fold”

The word “ply” comes from the Old English word pliwan, which means to fold. Plywood is essentially a bunch of layers that are laminated together one on top of another—hence why it can be formed into unique shapes and profiles.

4. There are several different grades of plywood

Because the thickness and quality of two pieces could vary, it’s important to look for building materials that have been graded to ensure they meet your specifications. Plywood is graded using letters (A through D), with C-grade plywood being the most common type used in home construction projects.

5. It’s not the same as MDF

If you’re working on construction projects around your home, many people think “plywood” and automatically think of medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This type of board is quite different from plywood. MDF is made up of wood particles that are compressed together; this material doesn't offer the same natural flexibility as plywood.

6. It’s a staple in home building projects

Plywood has been used for years within the construction industry, but it’s becoming more of a staple in homes around the world. That's because of its affordability and rich textures that mimic other materials, such as hardwoods and metals.

7. Plywood can be used to create custom cabinets

For many years, plywood was mainly used for subflooring, but many designers have started to use it in their kitchen and bathroom cabinets because of its durability and the fact that it has a unique character when finished. You can even find wallpaper made with plywood fibers.

8. It’s sustainable

Plywood is a staple of the green building movement because it's made from renewable materials and offers an alternative to non-renewable MDF building material, which has been known to contain harmful chemicals.

9. It’s eco-friendly

Not only does plywood offer an alternative to nonrenewable building materials, but it's also eco-friendly because of its natural origins. Plywood is made from wood fibers and glue, so this finish can be recycled when your home receives an addition or renovation.

10. It’s durable and affordable

Plywood has been used in construction for centuries because of its strength, affordability, and the range of designs you can create with it. Because plywood can be crafted into unique profiles, this material is perfect for designers who are interested in adding texture to their projects.

If you’re looking for a versatile building material that can be affordable and offers sustainability, plywood might just be a perfect choice. Despite it being underestimated for being affordable, don't let its price be a dealbreaker to get a great material for your needs.

If you want to know more about plywood and any other building materials for your plans, our team will be more than happy to assist. So give us a call! Additionally, which of these ten things did you not know about? Comment below!