This cheap and durable construction material is created by glueing together wood veneers.
There are many uses of plywood, just take a good look around from where you are sitting and chances are there will be a whole lot of plywood around you.
Walk around every part of your house and there is bound to be more plywood. From floorings, walls, kitchen cabinets, to furniture; the world of construction is dominated by this wonderful material.
Plywood has varying degrees of strength and properties depending on what the user intends it to. Truly, this remarkable material is the Swiss knife of construction projects.
Structural Plywood
There are a total of four plywood groupings. The first is structural plywood which is used for permanent structural applications.
Structural plywood is a material that should be able to withstand full weather exposure and a lot of stress.
Here are some of the most notable uses of structural plywood:
- Beams
- Internal Structures
- Subfloors
- Shipping Crates
- Wall bracing
- Roof bracing
Exterior Plywood
The next one is exterior plywood. This type of plywood is bound together by a water-resistant glue and is typically for outdoor use.
While exterior plywood is water-resistant, it is still recommended to finish the surface of with paint to help it be more durable against elements like the sun.
Suitable applications for exterior plywood are:
- Walls
- Outdoor floorings
- Roof linings
- Stables
Interior Plywood
The third is interior plywood and its purpose is more aesthetic than durability.
Interior plywood is mainly used indoors and should not be exposed to the outdoor elements as it will degrade quickly.
Here are some suitable uses for interior plywood:
- Indoor furniture
- Ceilings
- Interior cladding
Marine Plywood
The last type in our list is marine plywood and it is used for a very specific purpose – areas needing some major waterproofing.
Marine plywood has a high-stress grade and is resistant to rot in high moisture places.
Following are some of the major uses of marine plywood:
- Docks
- Boats
These are just a few examples of why plywood is one of the most important materials when it comes to construction. However, the examples above represent the common uses of plywood. You may not know this, but plywood has a myriad of other uses and some of them are quite surprising. For example:
- Skateboard ramps – Pressure treated plywood is a great choice if you are planning to build an outdoor skateboarding ramp. Plywood has an amazing smooth finish and it is extremely flexible. This why this is one of the best materials around if you are planning to do a lot of 180s.
- Film Sets – Most film and theatrical sets use plywood to construct their elaborate settings. These sets need to be assembled and disassembled fast and in the case of stage play – moved in and out quickly. Plywood is cheap, light, and easily formed, that is why most film set construction use this amazing material. We actually supply a substantial portion of our plywood to movie sets.
Those are just two of the more unusual uses of Plywood. With something as versatile as this material, what would you not build with it if you need easy handling and sturdiness?
