Plywood has been a go-to option for almost every furniture need in every household and is used in various kinds of spaces as it is an affordable choice. In today’s time, most of the furniture is made by using plywood due to its aesthetically appealing and long lasting nature.
Plywood is a strong board that is made by gluing together thin sheets known as veneers that are pre-pressed and hot pressed. Carpenters and interior designers all around the world prefer using plywood over plain wood because it is durable, does not shrink, crack, warp or twist in the long run and is simply the best companion for interiors because it remains as good as new for a long period of time.
There are multiple types of plywood that are categorized based on the wood they are made of, Glue/Grade, technology used in manufacturing.
1. Timber used in Plywood
Hardwood Plywood
Hardwood plywood is a manufactured plywood panel made up of core veneers of timber which has been certified as Hardwood timber by the global body. Gurjan, Eucalyptus and okoume are considered hardwood which are available in India. Plywood made from the hardwood timber tends to be more durable, strong and will have more load bearing capacity. Certain hardware timber species such as eucalyptus have natural resistance to termite attack. It is also a more economical option as compared to other types of traditional wood available in the market.
Softwood Plywood
Softwood plywood is manufactured from long-grained homogeneous timber with straight fibers. Its veneer structure gives it considerable strength and rigidity. Though softwood is considered inferior to hardwood it still has some advantages over hardwood such as – a better nail holding capacity and it is also less brittle in nature.
2. Resin/Glue used in Plywood
Boiling Water Proof(BWP)/PF
To determine whether plywood is waterproof or not one needs to know the resin used in manufacturing the plywood. BWP grade plywood is made from PF resin as per BIS . This type of plywood is used in places where water contact is expected or the furniture is exposed to extreme weather conditions. Boiling waterproof plywood has the highest resistance to water and is considered to be completely waterproof. This is the most resilient option present in the market when finding waterproof plywood for kitchen and bathroom spaces where exposure to water is considerably higher.
Moisture Resistance(MR) Grade/UMF Resin
MR grade plywood is made from UMF (Urea Melamine Formaldehyde) resin as per BIS guidelines. This type of plywood is used in places where there is zero water contact or the furniture is placed in the interior of the building. Though MR grade has a certain amount of water resistance in it but can not withstand moisture and extreme weather conditions for a long period of time. This is the most economical option present in the market when looking for plywood for interior use whether it be for furniture or flooring.
3. Technology
Ever since the invention of plywood in the 19th century, with the advancement of the technology the plywood manufacturing process has not changed as much, compared to the other industries. Especially in India, almost 95% of the types of plywood available in the market today are still manufactured using conventional methods.
Calibrated plywood is still a very new phenomenon in the Indian market today which many people still are not aware of. But considering the advantages of calibrated plywood over other conventional types of plywood, calibrated plywood is the future. Calibrated plywood has uniform thickness all across the board, which is achieved by calibration performed using modern high-end machines. Uniform thickness all around the ply makes it an ideal panel product for use in furniture, beds, kitchen cabinetries, wardrobes, sofas and other similar interior products.
Whereas, non calibrated plywood generally has a variation in thickness and warping issues which can deform and degrade the overall look of your valuable furniture. Hence, calibrated plywood is not only durable, but it can also enhance and upgrade the overall look of the furniture made from it.
At Wigwam, we aim to offer you the best plywood experience for beautiful and better homes. With our motto to deliver ‘ply as it should be’, we are instrumental in bringing forward a range of products for every interior need and applications. From providing ply made of hardwood to BWP grade plywood, Wigwam gives a versatile range of ply for all your furniture needs.
Get your hands on various types of plywood for furniture that suits your style with Wigwam.
Explore our products here: http://www.wigwamply.com/