3 Types of Plywood Compared

If you are looking for plywood, then you will know that there are a large number of different types and grades of this type of wood. The term plywood simply means a wooden board which is made from a number of sheets of wood joined together. Because of the different numbers of sheets, you can have plywoods which are intended for use outside, and some which are meant for use inside. It is important to know all about the different types of wood before you make a purchase, as these can affect where you will be able to put the wood, and how you can use it in your home.

Interior and Exterior Plywood

There are a number of woods which are specifically made just for installing in certain locations on a normal home or residence. Interior plywood is designed to only be used internally, as they are not given a coating to ensure that they are resistant to water and moisture. Their type of bonding agent means that they can only be used in areas without a lot of moisture, so you would not be able to use them in the bathroom, for example, or when fitting a patio or as decking.

Exterior plywood is bonded using a much more resistant type of glue which is able to fully withstand moisture and damp. It is not designed to be used in a very damp place, such as the edge of a swimming pool, but there are different hardnesses of exterior plywood, the most common being CDX. You may also be able to purchase more expensive woods, such as the Lumber Core, which is exceedingly expensive, and has a veneer protection so it can be used outside.

Marine Plywood

If you want to place this type of wood on a boat, then you will need wood with a special grading. The glue here is stronger even than the external plywood, so you can use it on marine crafts, in basements, or even when making outdoor furniture. This type of plywood only has an A grade, but you can use it both internally and externally, although it is more costly than standard internal or external plywoods. This type of wood may be made using melamine processes, which includes fusing the boards together using heat, and giving it a resin finish.

Structural Plywood

This type of plywood is also very strong, as it is needed during building and refurbishing work. You can use structural plywood if you want to construct something, either internally or externally, although the wood will be very cheap looking, and is intended to be covered with another layer of something in order to protect it. You will want to use this type of plywood if you are intending to make a wood core for a structure, or need supporting woods behind a plaster wall, for example. This type of wood is not suitable for areas which get very wet. -