The pros and cons of plywood

Plywood is a sturdy construction material. During manufacturing process, multiple sheets of wood are pressed together under high pressure, giving it extended longevity before deterioration.

By stacking multiple wood layers, plywood has an incredible strength and durability, especially compared to solid wood and medium – density fiberboard (MDF). Plywood is available in a variety of sizes and thickness, making it suitable for all types of construction projects. For example, thin layer, flexible plywood (also known as “Flexie”) is ideal for furniture making, while thick layers plywood like marine plywood, are excellent for outdoor projects.

Although this product has many superior advantages compared to other materials made from wood, plywood also comes with some critical drawbacks. The article below will discuss the pros and cons of this product.

Advantages

1. Strength and durability

Plywood is a well-known material for being sturdy. Depending on the requirements and manufacturing process, it can last up to 35 years without receiving any critical damage.

• Plywood can withstand more pressure than other wooden materials because it is designed for durability and structural support. As a result, plywood can offer superior strength.
• During the production process, every wood layer is arranged perpendicular (90 degree) to each other. This ensures that grains align in different directions. This cross-grain structure ensures that if there is a layer is weakens, other layers can still ensure load-bearing capacity. On the other hand, wooden planks made from solid wood block may have a better flexibility, its ability to withstand pressure and deformation is weaker compared to industrial plywood.

2. Cost-effective

Plywood is cheaper than solid wood block because plywood utilizes recycle wood materials and wood scraps, which can reduce the cost of final products. The plywood making process is simpler, waste less wood, and allow for mass production at a low cost. Additionally, the efficient use of resources and the non-dependence on solid wood quality also contribute to reducing costs, while still ensuring the necessary durability and aesthetics.

On average, a standard-sized plywood sheet ranges in price from $12 to $55, while high-quality items can exceed $100. The price of plywood depends on the quality (grade) of the board. The quality of the board is rated on a scale from A to D, with D being the lowest level when the plywood has many holes, dead knots, and a poorer water resistance compared to the other levels.

3. Easy to cut and shape

Plywood is very easy to cut, as long as you have the right tools and know the cutting angles. This type of material should be cut with a circular saw or a table saw with a sharp blade. You should not use a panel saw, as the blade quickly wears out when cutting through layers of wood veneer.

When cutting plywood, use a bench saw with clamps to secure the board and always wear protective gear such as safety glasses, long sleeves, and a dust mask.

Finishing plywood is also very easy. Plywood responds well to processes such as sanding, painting, staining, varnishing, and lacquering. You can use shellac to create a smooth surface or epoxy and polyurethane to make plywood waterproof (unless using marine plywood, which is already produced to be more waterproof than regular plywood).

Additionally, you can mimic surface effects to make the plywood look like marble or steel. Multi-layer plywood or plywood covered with oak veneer does not require much surface treatment, just edge banding to finish.

4. Environmentally friendly

Plywood is not only affordable but also eco-friendly due to its use of recycled wood and sustainable plantation resources.

• AMC Vietnam prioritizes on providing high quality plywood using certified plantation wood. We ensure all raw materials come with clear documentation, guaranteeing transparency and product quality from the outset.
• We always comply with the law and adhere to international standards in the manufacturing process to create products that meet the needs of the global marketplace while ensuring an environmentally friendly process. AMC Vietnam is committed to upholding these principles to ensure that every product delivered to our customers has the highest standards in terms of quality and safety.

Disadvantages

1. Not fully waterproof

Most plywood is not completely waterproof. While some high-grade products such as boiling water resistant (BWR), weather – resistant, or marine plywood provide better protection, it only holds up for a limited period of time.

• Prolonged exposure to water or high humidity can cause layers to delaminate, warp, and encourage mold, insects, and decay, reducing the product’s lifespan and posing health risk.
• To extend water resistance, plywood is often coated with laminates, films, epoxy, or other sealing agents.

2. More expensive than MDF

In comparison to MDF, plywood is more expensive due to its superior water resistance, durability, and ease of cutting.

• MDF, made from wood chips and fiber bonded with water-resistant glue, is cheaper. Its fine-grained structure makes it ideal for cabinets and shelves used in environments with moderate humidity.
• MDF’s affordability makes it popular in developing or middle-income regions, such as Southeast Asia, India, South America, and Africa.

3. Vulnerable

Since plywood made from sheet of wood layers sticks together with glue, it is easy to break down if you do not know how to use it correctly, especially when using screw to fasten the edges.

AMC Vietnam has researched and improved the production process, creating plywood sheet with better load resistance and superior screw – holding capability and structure strength. At the same time, we discovered the screwing method minimize delamination error.

4. Edge holes when cutting small

The composition of thin veneer layers makes the plywood have holes when cut. The size of the holes depends on the quality of the thin board, as well as the manufacturing technique, but overall, these holes directly affect the lifespan. If not properly treated, water, moisture, mold, and harmful insects will affect the product’s lifespan.

Conclusion

In production regulations, AMC Vietnam always uses high-grade raw materials, ensuring no surface holes, thereby creating products with fewer edge holes, meeting international quality standards, and providing excellent support during processing.

If you want to find high-quality plywood products with clear origins and long warranty periods, please contact AMC Vietnam for consultation. With a 24/7 hotline, we are ready to assist with any issues you may have!