image

Top 5 Plywood Types for Furniture Making

a dining table in living room

August 28, 2024

When it comes to furniture making, the choice of plywood can significantly impact the durability, aesthetics, and functionality of the finished product. Plywood, often referred to as ply, is a versatile and cost-effective material that has become a staple in modern furniture manufacturing. This blog explores the top five best plywood types for furniture making, ensuring your home furniture stands the test of time while looking great.

Best Plywood for Furniture Making

1. Marine Plywood

Why Choose Marine Plywood for Furniture? Marine plywood, also known as marine ply, is renowned for its high resistance to moisture and humidity. This type of plywood is manufactured using waterproof glue, making it ideal for furniture pieces that may be exposed to water, such as kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.

Benefits of Marine Plywood
  • Water Resistance: Marine plywood is resistant to water damage, preventing warping and swelling.
  • Durability: It is designed to withstand harsh conditions, ensuring longevity.
  • Smooth Finish Marine plywood has a smooth surface, which is perfect for painting and varnishing, giving your furniture a polished look.

Best Uses Marine plywood is best suited for kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and any furniture that may come into contact with moisture.

2. MR Grade Plywood (Moisture Resistant)

Why Choose MR Grade Plywood for Furniture? MR grade plywood, or Moisture-resistant plywood, is a popular choice for indoor furniture. While it is not as water-resistant as marine ply, it offers adequate resistance to moisture and humidity, making it suitable for most home furniture applications.

Benefits of MR Grade Plywood
  • Cost-Effective: MR-grade plywood is more affordable than marine plywood, making it a budget-friendly option.
  • Versatility: It is suitable for a wide range of furniture applications.
  • Moderate Moisture Resistance: Provides sufficient protection against humidity for indoor use.

Best Uses MR-grade plywood is ideal for wardrobes, shelves, and general indoor furniture where moisture exposure is minimal.

3. BWR Grade Plywood (Boiling Water Resistant)

Why Choose BWR Grade Plywood for Furniture? BWR-grade plywood stands for Boiling Water Resistant plywood. It offers superior resistance to boiling water compared to MR-grade plywood, making it a durable choice for both indoor and semi-outdoor furniture.

Benefits of BWR Grade Plywood
  • High Durability: BWR plywood is built to withstand harsh conditions, including boiling water.
  • Versatile Applications: Suitable for a variety of furniture projects.
  • Enhanced Moisture Resistance: Provides better protection against moisture than MR-grade plywood.

Best Uses BWR-grade plywood is excellent for kitchen furniture, outdoor seating, and other furniture pieces that may face occasional exposure to water.

4. Fire-retardant plywood

Why Choose Fire-Retardant Plywood for Furniture? Safety is a crucial factor when selecting materials for home furniture. Fire-retardant plywood is specially treated to slow the spread of flames, providing an added layer of safety to your home.

Benefits of Fire-Retardant Plywood
  • Fire Safety: Reduces the risk of fire spread, enhancing the safety of your home.
  • Durability: Maintains structural integrity even under high temperatures.
  • Versatility: Suitable for various furniture applications where fire safety is a concern.

Best Uses Fire-retardant plywood is ideal for kitchen cabinets, children's furniture, and any furniture in fire-prone areas.

5. Flexible Plywood

Why Choose Flexible Plywood for Furniture? Flexible plywood, also known as bendy ply, is designed to bend and curve easily without breaking. This unique property makes it perfect for creating innovative and stylish furniture designs that require curved shapes.

Benefits of Flexible Plywood:
  • Design Flexibility: Allows for the creation of unique and modern furniture designs.
  • Ease of Use: Easy to work with, making it a favorite among furniture designers.
  • Durability: Despite its flexibility, it maintains structural integrity.

Best Uses Flexible plywood is ideal for creating curved furniture pieces, such as rounded shelves, curved cabinets, and artistic furniture designs.

Why Plywood is a Preferred Choice for Furniture Making

Plywood is a preferred material for furniture making due to its numerous advantages:

  • Strength and Durability: Plywood is manufactured by layering thin sheets of wood veneer, creating a strong and durable material.
  • Versatility: Available in various grades and types, plywood can be used for a wide range of furniture applications.
  • Cost-Effective: Plywood offers a budget-friendly alternative to solid wood without compromising on quality.
  • Eco-Friendly: Many plywood manufacturers use sustainable practices, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: Plywood can be finished with veneers or laminates to achieve the desired look and feel for your furniture.

Conclusion

Selecting the best ply for furniture is crucial for ensuring the durability, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of your home furniture. Marine Plywood, MR Grade Plywood, BWR Grade Plywood, Fire-Retardant Plywood, and Flexible Plywood each offer unique benefits suited to different furniture applications. By understanding the properties and uses of these plywood types, you can make informed decisions that enhance your home's interior while providing long-lasting furniture solutions.

Facebook

Linkedin

Instagram

YouTube

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q : What is plywood used for?

A : Plywood is an extremely versatile building material, and it can be used in a variety of applications, based on a variety of factors such as reinforcement and decorative surfaces. Due to its strength and cost, it is often used in interior and exterior building applications, from things like wooden furniture to interior cladding.

Q : What if the plywood gets wet?

A : Most BWP plywood boards will resist the harmful effects of raw water, and stronger woods are better equipped to manage prolonged water damage and film-coated plywood is an example. Like most timber, even if it is waterproof plywood, prolonged exposure to moisture will start to wear and damage the wood. Untreated pieces will also not hold for long, and warping and rotting will start much faster over time.

Q : Can plywood be bent?

A : Although plywood sheet can be bent, it should be specialized, as most other plywood will crumble and break if they are bent. The best plywood available for flexing should have grain close together so that the surface does not separate during bending. Near-vein hardwood surfaces are ideal, including plywood made from eucalyptus

Q : Can the plywood be sanded and polished?

A : Plywood can be sanded and polished. However, like any other wood, it is important to use the right equipment to ensure that the finish appears as desired. Individuals should start with 80-grit sandpaper to flatten the base surface before moving on to finer grinding for a smoother and more vivid polish on the wood.

Q : How thick is the plywood?

A : The thickness of the plywood varies depending on what pieces are being used. If plywood is being used as a support, it needs to be thicker and stiffer than if it were being used as veneer. Conventional plywood thickness can vary up to 6 mm to 19 mm as much as a quarter of an inch. Specialized plywood grades can come in more varieties when it comes to their thickness.