What Is Plywood Used For?

Plywood is an engineered wood product made from multiple layers (or plies) of thin wood veneers that are glued together under high-temperature pressure to form thicker, stronger, more flexible flat sheets.

The logs used to make each sheet are prepared by steam or immersion in hot water and then fed to a lathe where the logs are peeled into thin layers about 1 mm to 4 mm thick, which are used to form each layer of each sheet.

It is a widely used building material due to its many useful properties as well as its economic cost. High-quality plywood tends to be very strong and will not warp or crack under changes in atmospheric humidity, making it a reliable material for a wide variety of applications.

  Basswood Plywood

How this versatile wood material is used in a variety of applications

Plywood is widely manufactured as softwood and hardwood and is available in various grades of finishes depending on its intended use.

Here are a few examples of how plywood can be used and why it is an excellent material choice for such applications.

1. Exterior wall sheathing

A common wall structure for new homes, especially in North America, consists of a 2-foot x 4-foot or 2-foot x 6-foot frame with an outer layer of plywood sheathing. Plywood is used to hold each stud together to add strength and prevent vertical or horizontal movement, keeping the frame structure intact and square.

Due to its flexible nature, this technique creates a structure that performs well during strong winds and earthquakes.

2. Interior walls

Certain types of plywood are suitable for wood paneling or framed interior walls. In most cases, plywood is not visible in the final finish, however, some highly finished Class A plywood is ideal for inward-facing and can be painted or stained to provide a stunning natural wood finish.

  Fire-Proof Plywood     

3. Roofing and flooring

Plywood is commonly used to cover the roof and subfloor of many interior flooring projects.

On floors, plywood panels may include tongue and groove edges that are slotted together to allow them to carry the required load without shifting or moving, while on roofs they can act as a very durable and suitable skin membrane prior to laying tile, metal, or flooring.

Plywood is well suited for both applications.

4. Other construction

It is not uncommon to find eaves and soffits covered with plywood skins or made entirely of plywood. Some plywood is used specifically as a siding product and looks similar to reverse board and batten siding. Builder contractors also commonly use plywood to build detached garages and sheds for temporary flooring and concrete forms.

 Birch Plywood

5. Furniture

Plywood is a very practical and cost-effective material for building furniture. Premium plywood can be used where one side needs to look good, while for the rest of the structure, lower grade finishes can be used. Plywood is suitable for almost any furniture item that can be imagined within reason, so it is not uncommon to use it in custom dressers, armoires, built-in media centers, shelving, bookcases, console tables ...... In fact, the list is almost endless!

6. Cabinets

Plywood is perfect for making cabinets for kitchens, bedrooms, etc. In most cases, quality plywood is not only suitable for the back and sides of cabinets, but is a better material than traditional particle board or MDF because it lasts longer, won't split, and is more durable.

7. General items

Because of its versatility, plywood is perfect for many other home projects, from building skateboard ramps to rabbit hutches to dog houses. Home DIY enthusiasts love plywood because it's perfect for making useful items, including workbenches, sawhorses, simple step stools, and storage bins.

In fact, we've posted some of our own simple DIY projects using plywood. Why not check some of them out and see just a few of the many practical ways you can use plywood in and around your home? This is a great product, available in a wide range of thicknesses and grades, from exposure to wet exteriors to dry interior applications. It always produces an excellent, strong finish and is environmentally friendly.