Decorating Guides
Which Type of Plywood to Use Where
Are you about to buy plywood for your home? Find out which type of plywood is best suitable for which purpose
Plywood, since the 200-plus years of its existence, has become ubiquitous in homes. Plywood, or ‘ply’ as we call it, is applied to furniture, cabinets, wall panelling, ceiling, flooring and elsewhere in exposed and enclosed forms in the interiors. A sheet of ply is made by gluing and pressing multiple thin wood layers, forming a sturdy, size- and thickness-specific board of engineered wood. While the constituent wood and manufacturing process governs the quality of the plywood sheet, its thickness governs the use and application. Installing ply sheets as per the usage can save you from future repairs and lets you shape a cost-efficient and durable setup. With this article, let’s get to know more about plywood, its types and its applications in the interiors.
A plywood board typically comprises an odd number of wood layers (also called veneers), the top and bottom ones of a higher grade than the core veneers. Each layer is oriented and glued at 90 degrees (or 45 degrees) from the one before, to boost the board’s bearing strength and reduce its chances of shrinking or warping. This makes plywood a reliable material for building furniture, cabinetry, doors, partition walls and even staircases.
For indoor applications, MR (Moisture Resistant), BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) and BWP (Boiling Water Proof) plywood boards are commonly picked. Also known as commercial plywood, the MR grade can be safely used for making furniture, doors and cabinetry in dry zones like the living areas and bedrooms. For areas exposed to water or dampness, such as the kitchen, utility and bathrooms, BWR- and BWP-grade plywood serves best.
Other plywood types like the marine ply, fire resistant ply, structural ply and so on are exceptionally good at tolerating water, fire and load respectively. They are occasionally used in home interiors to counter extreme conditions.
Note: To ensure quality, safety and endurance, you should buy only BIS-certified plywood from licensed manufacturers. You can go through the specified standards here.
Other plywood types like the marine ply, fire resistant ply, structural ply and so on are exceptionally good at tolerating water, fire and load respectively. They are occasionally used in home interiors to counter extreme conditions.
Note: To ensure quality, safety and endurance, you should buy only BIS-certified plywood from licensed manufacturers. You can go through the specified standards here.
The picture shows the cross-section of a typical 13-layered plywood. In India, plywood boards are typically available in 4 x 8 feet (or 1.2 x 2.4 metres) size with a thickness of 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 16, 19, 22 and 25 millimetres. Other standard board sizes include 3 x 8 feet, 4 x 7 feet, 3 x 7 feet, 4 x 6 feet and 3 x 6 feet.
Blockboard
Thinner plywoods, due to their tendency to sag, aren’t fit for tall wardrobes, benches, beds, shelves, free-standing partition walls and other structures that employ longer pieces of boards without intermediate support. Blockboards can be suitably applied to such units.
Wait … what is a blockboard?
The above image represents the cross-section of a blockboard. The top and bottom layer of a typical blockboard is a good-quality veneer; but unlike plywood, the core consists of closely arranged, solid, long strips of wood blocks. The thick solid wood blocks prevent longer boards from sagging. Blockboards are typically available in 19- and 25-millimetre thickness.
Wait … what is a blockboard?
The above image represents the cross-section of a blockboard. The top and bottom layer of a typical blockboard is a good-quality veneer; but unlike plywood, the core consists of closely arranged, solid, long strips of wood blocks. The thick solid wood blocks prevent longer boards from sagging. Blockboards are typically available in 19- and 25-millimetre thickness.
As per my experience, 15-, 16- or 19-millimetre-thick plywoods can be safely used in making of side and top faces of furniture and cabinetry with intermediate bottom supports. A 6- to 12- millimetre-thick ply can be employed in drawer bottoms and inner drawer partitions. Horizontal pieces of a greater length are subjected to a greater load; replace ply with block boards for a sturdier setup.
It is all right to apply 19-millimetre-thick plywood or blockboard to all open shelves that aren’t supported from the bottom.
Floor boards of a ply make are commonly available in 12- to 25-millimetre thickness, but 18-millimetre-thick ply can do justice to your floors well.
Wall panelling and roofing in plywood can be done with a 15-millimetre-thick ply.
For beds, sofas and diwans, plywood (or blockboards) of 19-millimetre thickness or more should be used. The frames and joinery should be sealed tight to eliminate noise caused otherwise due to the bending of the boards under pressure when weight is put upon them.
It is safe to use 25-millimetre-thick ply (sufficiently supported at the sides) for setting up a staircase. Two ply pieces can be joined together to tailor a board with greater bearing strength.
Read more:
Can Exposed Plywood Make Your House Proud?
Which Wood is Best for Furniture?
Tell us:
Did this ideabook help you in making ply-related decisions? Show us your beautiful plywood-laden interiors in Comments below.
Read more:
Can Exposed Plywood Make Your House Proud?
Which Wood is Best for Furniture?
Tell us:
Did this ideabook help you in making ply-related decisions? Show us your beautiful plywood-laden interiors in Comments below.