1. Introduction

Plywood is the essential material used in almost all home furnishing. These are various types and brands of plywood in the market with their rates ranging according to their quality. The main purpose of this article is to articulate the uses of different types of plywood and how they can differ from other types of plywood and other materials.

2. Different types of plywood available in the market

There are variety of plywood available in the market ranging from home furnishing to commercial uses. Most of these plywood is made within India and their quality ranging according to the manufacturing unit.

Plywood can be of different types, but broadly they can be classified into the following types –

1. 303 grade commercial plywood
2. 710 grade plywood
   • Alternative plywood
   • Full red (FR) plywood
   • PF grade plywood
3. Block boards
   • Pine block board
   • Hardwood block board

3. Plywood types

3.1  commercial plywood

Commercial plywood comes into the category of 303 grade plywood. This plywood is generally cost friendly and mainly used for commercial purposes as the name suggests. This plywood comes with a warranty of 15 years.

 The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 11 ply/13 ply based on the thickness
• Moisture proof plywood

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 4 mm
• 6 mm
• 9 mm
• 12 mm
• 17 mm
• 19 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• Commercial buildings
• Office furnishing
• Modular kitchens
• Basic furniture

3.2  Alternative plywood

Alternative plywood comes into the category of 710 grade plywood. This plywood is made from using the combination of Yellow and Red tinged wood core, hence the name alternative plywood. This plywood comes with a warranty of 20 years.

The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 11 ply/13 ply based on the thickness
• Boiling water resistant (BWR) plywood
• 100% Gurjan

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 6 mm
• 9 mm
• 12 mm
• 16 mm
• 19 mm
• 25 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• Home furnishing
• Office furnishing
• Modular kitchens

3.3  Full Red (FR) plywood

Full Red (FR) plywood comes into the category of 710 grade plywood. This plywood is made with long panel full red tinges core, Hence the name Full Red (FR). This plywood is triple pressed and hence perfectly calibrated. This plywood comes with a warranty of 20 years.

The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 11 ply/13 ply based on the thickness
• 100% Gurjan
• 100% Calibrated for perfect thickness
• Boiling water resistant (BWR) plywood
• Warp resistant – bend proof plywood

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 6 mm
• 9 mm
• 12 mm
• 16 mm
• 19 mm
• 25 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• Home furnishing
• Home essentials (TV units, beds etc.)
• High end Modular kitchens
• High end furniture

3.4  PF grade plywood

PF Grade plywood comes into the category of 710 marine grade plywood. This plywood is made using phenol formaldehyde (pf) Adhesive and hence the name PF grade plywood. This plywood is also triple pressed and hence 100% calibrated for the thickness. This plywood comes with a warranty of 25 years.

The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 11 ply/13 ply based on the thickness
• Boiling water proof (BRP) plywood
• 100% Gurjan
• 100% calibrated – perfect thickness
• PF adhesive used – plywood unaffected by water or other liquids
• Warp resistant – bend proof plywood
• Can withstand Moisture, Humidity and Dampness

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 6 mm
• 9 mm
• 12 mm
• 16 mm
• 19 mm
• 25 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• High end home furnishing
• High end home essentials (Beds, units etc.)
• Strong furniture
• High end office furnishing

3.5  Pine Block Board

Block boards are generally made with pine frames and filling the center with strong core with extra stability. For this type of block board, we use pine frame and also pine sticks to fill the center, hence the name pine block board. The pine which is used in this block boards is imported from New Zealand. This block boards comes with a warranty of 15 years.

The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 13 ply
• Boiling water resistant (BWR)
• New Zealand pine
• Light weight

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 19 mm
• 25 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• Sliding doors
• Home cabinet doors
• Back of furniture

3.6  Hardwood Block Board

Block boards are generally made with pine frames and filling the center with strong core with extra stability. For this type of block board, we use pine frame and also hardwood sticks to fill the center, hence the name hardwood block board. The pine which is used in this block boards is imported from New Zealand. This block boards comes with a warranty of 15 years.

The main qualities of this plywood are –

• Borer free
• Powder free
• Thermite resistant
• 13 ply
• Moisture resistant (MR)
• Warp resistant – bend proof
• Strong core
• New Zealand pine frame with hardwood in the middle

This plywood comes in various thickness based on its application. Their thickness range includes –

• 19 mm
• 25 mm

The main uses of this plywood are –

• Doors
• Home cabinet doors
• Back of furniture

4. Conclusion

These are the different types of plywood basically available in the market and their uses. Most of the times customer buys the plywood which is more than required for his use. Also there are many alternatives to the plywood in the market like particle boards and MDF. But the main advantage of the plywood over its counters is its strength, longevity and holding capacity. These three traits of the plywood are unrivaled by any other product in the market.