10 Types of Plywood - Guide to Plywood Uses, Ratings & Grades

Plywood is one of the most essential materials used in building, furniture, and Do-It-Yourself. Plywood is strong, versatile, and budget-friendly, making it a favorite among property owners and constructors alike. In this guide, we will explore different types of plywood, their applications, grades, and how to choose the right plywood for your needs.

What is Plywood?

Plywood is a man-made wood panel made up of thin layers (or "plies") of wood veneer bonded together. The layers are arranged in alternating grain directions, which increases strength, stability, and durability. Various forms of plywood are used extensively in interior and exterior applications, from furniture and cabinetry to flooring and roofing. The selection of the appropriate types of plywood is based on considerations such as moisture resistance, strength, and purpose.

10 Plywood Types & Uses

1. Hardwood Plywood

 

 

Constructed from strong hardwoods such as teak, oak, and birch, it provides excellent strength and a smooth finish. Suitable for high-end furniture, flooring, and cabinetry.

• Strong and durable

• Smooth and glossy surface

• Ideal for high-end interiors

2. Softwood Plywood

 

 

Produced from softwoods such as pine and fir, this plywood is light in weight and economical. Widely used in building and structural applications.

• Easy to cut and mold

• Ideal for walls, roofing, and subfloors

• Affordable option

3. Marine Plywood

 

Very water-resistant, marine plywood is used for wet conditions such as boats and kitchens. Constructed using waterproof glue for durability.

• Moisture and decay resistant

• For high-humidity areas

• Costlier due to superior quality

4. Structural Plywood

 

Made for load-bearing purposes, it is stable and strong, making it suitable for building. Often used in flooring, beams, and industrial buildings.

• High stability and strength

• For heavy-duty applications

• Suitable for buildings and bridges

5. Decorative Plywood (Veneer Plywood)

 

Has a decorative veneer layer, thus ideal for decorative interiors. Used in furniture, wall panels, and decorations.

• Improves the visual value

• Comes in different textures and finishes

• Used for high-end furniture and design

6. Fire-Retardant Plywood

Treated with fire-resistant chemicals, this plywood is utilized in public buildings and commercial areas for safety purposes.

• Reduces fire risks

• Best suited for kitchens and public areas

• Offers additional safety compliance

7. Flexible Plywood (Bendy Ply)

Easily moulded and bendable, it is ideal for curved furniture and interior design innovation.

• Permits innovative designs

• Available in thicknesses

• Applied to curved furniture and decoration

8. MDF Plywood (Medium-Density Fiberboard)

 

Composed of compressed wood fibres, it offers a smooth finish, suitable for doors, cabinets, and decorative panels.

• Smooth to paint and easy

• Inexpensive substitute for solid wood

• Applied to furniture and wall panels

9. Shuttering Plywood

 

Made for application in concrete framework and construction, it is waterproof and long-lasting.

• Gives a smooth finish to concrete

• High load-carrying capacity

• Applied in formwork use

10. Blockboard Plywood

 

Made with wood strips sandwiched between veneer sheets, it does not warp and is generally applied to doors and partitions.

• More stable and stronger than ordinary plywood

• Best suited for tables, doors, and partitions

• Lightweight but strong

Types of Plywood Available at Kyzo

At Kyzo, you will come across a number of high-grade plywood options designed to suit varying requirements. A few of the top-selling varieties are:

CenturyPly Bond 710 BWP Plywood – High-end, waterproof plywood for superior usage.

Greenply Absolute MR & BWP Plywood – Both moisture-resistant and boiling waterproof versions.

CenturyPly Club Prime & Architect Plywood – Superb plywood suitable for furniture and interiors.

KHIDKI Gold MR & BWR Plywood – Affordable and durable plywood solutions.

GreenPly Green GOLD & Ecotec BWP 710 – Reliable for strength and durability.

KHIDKI Silver Plus Calibrated MR & BWR Plywood – Higher strength and water resistance.

Discover the entire Plywood collection at Kyzo to get the appropriate plywood for your project requirements.

Types of Ply Count & Their Significance

Plywood is classified according to the number of layers (plies), which affects its strength, flexibility, and usage.

3-Ply Plywood: 

Ideal for interior use like furniture and decorative panels. It is light and best used for non-structural purposes.

5-Ply Plywood: 

Stronger and more durable, and hence used for cabinetry, flooring, and overall construction.

Multi-Ply (7 or more layers): 

Intended for high-strength applications, e.g., roofing, industrial structures, heavy furniture. It offers better resistance to warping and improves durability.

Plywood Ratings & Grades

Selecting the right plywood means looking at its rating (strength and durability) and grade (finish and appearance).

Plywood Ratings:

Exterior Plywood: Extremely durable and water-resistant, ideal for use outdoors.

Exposure 1 & 2: For semi-exposed areas such as construction and subfloors.

Interior Plywood: For use in interior applications only, e.g., cabinetry and furniture.

Structural 1: Heavy-duty plywood for load-bearing construction.

 

Plywood Grades:

A-Grade: High-quality, smooth surface with few imperfections, suitable for cabinetry and furniture.

B-Grade: Not quite as high in quality as A-grade but still of the same quality suitable for visible surfaces.

C-Grade: Contains more knots and imperfections and is mostly suited for structural framing such as subflooring.

D-Grade: Lowest possible grade and will often be seen in temporary builds where appearance matters not.

The Right Plywood for Your Build

Application: If used for the outdoors, then use moisture-resistant marine plywood; if indoor, then use decorative plywood.

Strength Requirement: Heavy-duty structural construction calls for high-strength plywood, but lighter plywood is adequate for furniture and ornamentation applications.

Moisture Resistance: For wet applications such as kitchen and bathroom spaces, marine plywood is the ideal choice.

Finish & Appearance: Hardwood plywood has a shiny, upscale finish, whereas softwood plywood is budget-friendly for concealed areas.

Typical Plywood Sizes & Thickness

General sizes: 4x8 ft, 5x5 ft, and employed in furniture, flooring, and building construction.

Thickness levels: 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch.

* Thicker plywood is ideal for heavy-duty use, whereas thin plywood is used for aesthetic purposes.

Plywood Alternatives

In case plywood is not the best choice for your project, use:

• MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard): With a smooth surface, ideal for painting but is weak
  
  
• Particle Board: Affordable but not as durable as plywood
  
  
• Engineered Wood Boards: Less water-damaged than MDF and particle board, ideal for particular uses

Best Plywood for Your Needs

The best plywood varies according to your project needs. For outdoor weather resistance, the best is marine plywood. For furniture making, hardwood plywood is the best choice, and for heavy-duty use, structural plywood is the best.

Get quality plywood at Kyzo, where performance and affordability meet.

 

FAQs

Q1. What is plywood made of?

Ans. Plywood is composed of several thin layers of wood veneer bonded with powerful adhesives to improve durability and minimize warping.

Q2. What are the 4 types of plywood?

Ans. Plywood comes under Hardwood, Softwood, Marine, and Structural Plywood. Hardwood is used in furniture, softwood is used in cost-saving construction, marine plywood is resistant to moisture, and structural plywood is suitable for load-carrying uses.

Q3. What are the 5 Indian plywood grades?

Ans. Indian plywood is graded as A, B, C, D, and Structural 1, with A-grade offering the finest finish and Structural 1 designed for high-strength applications.

Q4. What is the best type of plywood?

Ans. The best type depends on the project: Marine plywood is ideal for moisture resistance, hardwood plywood is best for furniture, and structural plywood is suited for heavy-duty use.

Q5. Why are 3-ply, 5-ply, and multi-ply plywood different?

Ans. 3-Ply: Suitable for furniture and interior use.

5-Ply: More durable, suitable for flooring and cabinetry.

Multi-Ply: Suitable for construction and structural use, with maximum durability.

Q6. How is plywood graded?

Ans. Plywood is graded according to durability and water resistance. Exterior plywood is waterproof, Exposure 1 & 2 plywood is partially exposed, Interior plywood is for indoor use in dry environments, and Structural 1 plywood provides superior strength for load-carrying uses.