What Is Plywood Made Of?

Plywood is an engineered wood product created by bonding multiple thin layers (veneers) of wood together. Each layer is oriented with its grain perpendicular to adjacent layers, creating a strong, stable panel that resists warping and splitting.

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The manufacturing process begins with logs being debarked and then peeled or sliced into thin veneers. These veneers are dried, sorted for quality, and then layered with strong adhesives between each sheet. The layers are pressed together under heat and pressure to create a solid panel.

How is Plywood Made

Plywood Composition Options:

Core Types

Softwood core: Typically pine or fir, provides good strength at lower cost

Hardwood core: Stronger and denser, offers superior screw-holding capability

Composite core: Made from particleboard or MDF, provides uniform thickness and smooth surface

Combination core: Features hardwood veneer outer plies with a center of other materials, balancing quality and cost

Veneer Grades:

• A-grade: Premium appearance with smooth, paintable surface, minimal patches
• B-grade: Solid surface with minor repairs, suitable for staining
• C-grade: Allows knots and patches, typically used for interior panels
• D-grade: Utility grade with knots, knotholes, and repairs, used for structural applications

Adhesive Types:

• Interior (Type II): Urea-formaldehyde adhesive suitable for indoor applications
• Exterior (Type I): Phenol-formaldehyde for weather resistance
• Marine-grade: Highly water-resistant phenolic adhesives with no voids
• Low-emission: Formaldehyde-free options for environmentally-sensitive applications

Treatment Options:

• Fire-retardant: Chemically treated to resist flame spread
• Preservative-treated: Contains fungicides and insecticides for humid environments
• Untreated: Natural wood properties for standard indoor applications
• Edge-sealed: Protects panel edges from moisture absorption

Our Selection

We proudly stock a comprehensive range of high-quality plywood, including:

Birch Plywood: Known for its light color, smooth surface, and excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Our Baltic birch features multiple plies with minimal voids, ideal for cabinetry, furniture, and decorative applications. Available in various thicknesses from 1/8″ to 1″.

Check out our Birch Plywood | Quote Request

Hardwood Plywood: Available in multiple species with beautiful face veneers for fine furniture and cabinetry. Our selection includes maple, cherry, walnut, and mahogany options in various core constructions. All panels feature premium face veneers with consistent color and grain patterns.

Check out our Hardwood Plywood | Quote Request

Oak Plywood: Featuring distinctive grain patterns and exceptional durability for premium applications. We offer both red and white oak varieties, with rotary-cut or quarter-sawn face options. Excellent for high-end cabinetry, furniture, and architectural millwork.

Check out our Red Oak Plywood and  White Oak Plywood

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All our plywood products meet or exceed industry standards for strength, stability, and performance.