In a nutshell, plywood is a masterminded wood made from thin sheets of veneer. Typically, the sheets are put together in alternating right angles to form a cross-grain design. That helps to add strength to the material.

Plywood is mostly used in manufacturing and construction. You can find this material in large buildings and home interiors. If you are asking yourself if you should choose this material over other alternatives, don’t worry. In this article, you will learn about various types of plywood and how to use them.

I. Aircraft Plywood

Aircraft plywood is said to be among the highest-grade and the most long-lasting material ever in the market. This type of wood uses hardwoods such as birch or mahogany to produce a robust finished piece that can withstand moisture and heat.

This design contains a thin veneer that helps it be light and flexible while producing strength for the furniture that needs to hold a lot of weight. Aircraft plywood is mostly found in projects requiring industrial-strength woods such as boats and airplanes, to mention but a few.

II. Softwood Plywood

This plywood is made using softwoods like redwood, cedar, and pine. These plywoods are strong and have various uses in sub-roofing, exterior frame sheathing, and roof sheathing. You can also use softwood plywood to create forms such as doghouses, sheds, temporary flooring, among others.

III. Overload

Unlike other plywoods, overload plywood uses the structure of regular sheets with veneers attached. On the other hand, these sheets have an overload face that gives it a finished look. However, the finished covering is not meant for decoration but rather to provide the panels with a solid surface that is also smooth. That is for protecting it from water or any other particles from damaging the sheets. Several designers choose to work for plywood and for a reason (see https://journal.tylko.com//5-iconic-designers-plywood-furniture/ for more information).

The coating also ensures that the wood can cope with scratches and other abrasions during construction. Usually, the exterior surfaces are bonded to other veneers through an act of heat and pressure. High-density or medium-density panels make a finished project more robust and long-lasting compared to traditional plywood. But, high-density overload panels are more expensive than medium-density panels since they have more resin.

IV. Structural Plywood

This wood is also referred to as sheathing plywood and requires strong adhesives to maintain the piles together. Although they cannot withstand weather, you can use structural plywood on the inside or outside of the building. They are a low-cost option compared to other woods since they have a Cor D grade only.