Everything You Need To Know About Plywood

News | jlbworks

Jul 10, 2018

Available Plywood in Nashville, TN

Typically used in construction projects, plywood is a form of manufactured wood that is strong and thin in appearance. Plywood can be manufactured from either hardwood, softwood, or even both. For hardwood plywood include ash, maple, oak, and mahogany, whereas softwood is typically made with Douglas fir, pine, redwood, and cedar. In its creation process, plywood usually consists of two or more thin layers of wooden veneer–plies–that are glued and pressed together in high heat. On average, plywood is sold in sheets of 4×8 feet. To keep its durability, each layer is tightly bonded at right angles–also known as crossbanding. Crossbanding increases the strength of the plywood as well as the stability. If you are in need of plywood in Nashville, TN, contact Oakley Lumber Company, today.  We have the building material you need to help you complete your project.  Our Nashville lumber company has been providing quality products and confident service since 1944.

Though it’s one of the least visually appealing wood materials, plywood is most commonly used in the construction of the following:

  • Kitchen Cabinets
  • Shutters
  • Packaging
  • Partition Walls or External Walls
  • Furniture

On occasion, plywood can even be used as a mold/framework for different concrete installation jobs. As you can see, this is a type of manufactured wood that serves a variety of beneficial uses.

The Basics

Although it’s a manufactured wood-type, certain grades of plywood can cost as much as solid hardwood. Regardless, plywood proves to have some advantages–dimensional stability being the main advantage. Due to crossbanding, plywood has excellent dimensional stability, giving it a balanced construction. Having optimal dimensional stability means that the plywood won’t shrink, warp, or swell. These are typical things that can happen to hardwood when it’s around high temperatures, moisture, and humidity. In addition to this, plywood is also chemical resistant, moisture resistant, impact resistant, fire resistant, and has thermal and sound insulation.

Although plywood has many beneficial uses, like any building material, it has some drawbacks too.

  • Thin Veneer: Sometimes, manufactured plywood is coated with a thin veneer that oftentimes breaks, chips if it’s not applied thoroughly.
  • Cost: Depending on the make, demand, and availability, the cost of plywood can range. Hardwood plywood tends to be the most expensive variety.
  • Selection: Unfortunately, there’s a limited selection of plywood since dealers are constantly demanding what’s in stock. Before buying, many recommend determining the types of plywood that are currently in stock and basing your project from there.

Regardless of these minimal drawbacks, the advantages of plywood and its versatility shines through.

When deciding what plywood to use for your construction projects, be sure to pay close attention to its grade. Plywood is broken down by letters, N, A, B, C, and D. By separating them into different grades, builders are able to determine which project they are best suited for.

For more information on plywood, feel free to visit your local Nashville lumber company!