Which Plywood Do You Need?

With a one size fits all application, plywood is a universal and generic lumber that is constructed from hardwood trees. Hardwood plywood fits many options and applications, and there are a wide variety of hardwood plywood species and sizes for different projects. Plywood is categorized by the type of core it carries. Five of the most popular types of hardwood plywood are veneer core, medium density fiberboard core, particleboard core, combination core, and lumber core.

Veneer Core

Constructed by alternating layers of thin slices of wood, veneer core is a popular type of hardwood plywood. Veneer is made when slices of wood, usually thinner than three millimeters, are glued on top of each other. Each layer is glued with its grain at right angles to adjacent layers for increased strength. Veneer core plywood is lightweight and easy to control, yet with excellent weight-bearing and bending strength, veneer core plywood is still a strong and reliable choice.

Medium Density Fiberboard Core

With a uniform thickness and superior consistency, medium density fiberboard is constructed with fine wood dust and heat pressure. The medium density fiberboard core has a back and face veneer glued directly to the core. This unity makes medium density fiberboard the preferred choice for 32 millimeter construction.

Particleboard Core

Particleboard is very commonly used, as it is the least expensive type of plywood. Constructed with a coarse wood dust, particleboard core hardwood is lightweight but is not always consistent. Particleboard core plywood is also not strong enough to hold screws. Particleboard is the least durable, but it is still a great choice for certain applications.

Combination Core

Combination core plywood comes in two varieties. The first type has a veneer core with a center layer of medium density fiberboard, particleboard, or hardboard. The second type has an oriented strand board or water board center. Both types have a veneer crossband on both sides. Without a lot of weight, combination core plywood is best for projects with consistent flatness and the ability to hold screws.

Lumber Core

Made from strips of solid lumber, lumber core plywood is ideal for constructing long or wide shelves in cabinets and closets. Lumber core plywood also has a back and front veneer, and with bending strength and screw-holding ability, lumber core plywood offers a great deal of flexibility. Lumber core plywood is one of the more expensive hardwoods on the market, but this is a result of its excellent quality.

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Hardwood plywood is a popular choice for many woodworkers. With a wide variety of options and sizes, the many types of hardwood give woodworkers flexibility in their projects. The lumber experts at J. Gibson McIlvain, one of the nation’s top lumber import and wholesale lumber companies, are fully equipped to help you review the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of plywood and to help you assess how they will fit your project’s needs. For more information, visit them today at www.mcilvain.com or call them at (800) 638-9100.