B.T.

M - V
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T.Y BTM – Sem V

Types of Plywood
There are a variety of ways in which plywood is classified and these classifications are usually
based on the different aspects of plywood such as the wood used, the number of plies it has, its
suitability for indoor and outdoor use, its grading as per quality specifications, and its intended
uses.
In this article we will have a detailed look at the different types of plywood
available. How shopkeepers classify plywood
If you visit any of the plywood shops in your locality and ask for the types of plywood available,
the most likely answer that you can expect to get is that there are two types, commercial and
marine. Some dealers also will say that there are waterproof types available.

The major types of Plywood.

Interior and Exterior Grade plywood
As the names suggest, interior grade plywood is meant for indoor use, while exterior grade is
waterproof and can be used outdoors. The most common type of plywood that is used for making
furniture for our homes and offices is Commercial plywood (which is Interior MR grade). The
acronym 'MR' stands for 'Moisture resistant'.
BWP (Boiling Water Proof)or BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) plywoods are called exterior
grade plywoods. They are made using phenolic resins and are adequately waterproof.
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Commercial, Waterproof, and Marine Grade

When dealers in India say Commercial ply, they mean MR grade, and when they say 'Water
proof plywood' what they generally mean by that is BWP/BWR grade plywood. However there
are many shopkeepers as well as interior designers who often refer to BWP/BWR grade plywood
as 'Marine ply' as this has become sort of a naming convention in the plywood market. (however
technically speaking this is incorrect, since the actual 'Marine grade plywood' is different from
BWP/BWR grade waterproof plywood. Its of a superior quality and used in marine applications).

A plywood sheet having ISI mark photographed at a carpenter's shop The IS specification
number IS:303 is mentioned above, and a CM/L number (Licence number) is mentioned below
the ISI mark.
The Indian Standards quality specification for all these so-called commercial plywoods is
detailed in the document IS: 303. Plywood companies that have a BIS (Bureau of Indian
Standards) certification are allowed to have the ISI mark printed on their plywood sheets. The IS
specification number has to be printed above the ISI mark, and the CM/L number (Unique
Licence Number)is printed below the mark.
Marine Plywood
Marine Plywood is of a superior quality compared to Commercial ply and it is also costs a lot
more. It is not usually used for indoor applications such as for making furniture. It is rather used
for applications such as for boat building and other industrial uses where the plywood is bound to
get a prolonged exposure to water.
For making furniture, commercial plywood is usually sufficient.(BWP/BWR resist water better
than MR types. So for kitchen furniture using BWP/BWR is quite common). For furniture that is
unlikely to get wet, MR grade ply is usually good enough.
The Indian Standards quality specifications for marine type of plywood are described in the
standards document IS: 710.
Types of plywood based on the type of wood used
Generally hardwood is used for making plywood, because it is stronger and more durable,
however some manufacturers may also use softwood for making lower cost plywoods. Still other
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manufacturers can use a combination of both woods, with some wood veneers of hardwood and
others of softwood.
Hardwood Plywood
For example made from teak wood, or gurjan wood or birch wood. If all the veneers used in
making the plywood have been obtained from hardwood trees it will be termed as 100%
hardwood plywood and its cost will be higher.
Softwood Plywood
For example made from woods like cedar, SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir) or Mango wood.
Categorization based on the particular wood (tree) used in its making.
For example:
Gurjan plywood
Teak plywood
Redwood plywood
SPF Plywood
More terminology and usage based classifications
MR grade: Moisture Resistant
The most common type of plywood used for indoor furniture. Note that moisture resistant does
not mean water proof. It only means that the plywood can resist a certain amount of humidity or
dampness.
BWR and BWP grades
The BWP (Boiling Water proof) grade is generally used to indicate grade of External grade
blockboards (which are different from plywood and consist of blocks of softwood at the core)
and BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) grade is used to indicate External grade plywood. Both
these naming conventions BWP and BWR mean almost the same thing in terms of quality.
Such types of plywood can be called adequately water-proof for most furniture requirements.
Flexible Plywood:
Also called 'flexi ply' in India. In some countries such as US, it is also known by another name
'bendy ply'. This type of plywood is not stiff and can be easily rolled up. Useful for creating
rounded shapes in furniture.
FR grade: Fire Retardant
Used in places where fire risks have to be reduced such as in the case of public theatres, malls or
shopping complexes, restaurant kitchens and the like. The surface of this type of plywood is
treated with chemicals that delay the burning process of wood (hence called fire retardant).
Indian standards document number IS: 5509-1980 has detailed quality specifications for this
type.
Marine grade: Marine Grade Plywood
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Commonly used for marine applications such as in the construction of boats and ships. Has better
resistance to water than any other type of plywood. Indian Standard specifications for marine ply
are detailed in the IS document number IS: 710
Termite-Resistant and Borer-proof
As the name suggests, offers protection from external pests that can destroy the wood.
Structural Plywood
Suitable for construction applications where structural stability is required. Quality specifications
detailed in document IS: 10701
Concrete Shuttering Plywood
Used in building construction work to create the wooden moulds into which concrete will be
case. Hence called concrete shuttering plywood. Can be reused several times before being
discarded or used for other purposes. Indian standards specified in IS: 848-1974
Film-faced shuttering plywood has a shiny phenolic film over the surface, so that the concrete
does not stick to the plywood, and the dampness does not damage the ply.

Classification of plywood based on size, thickness and number of plies

Plywood sheets are made by bonding several individual wood veneers (plies) together. Veneers
are thin layers of wood usually obtained by rotary cutting timber logs obtained from trees. Rotary
cut means that the logs are rotated along their longitudinal axis using machines, and a cutter
peels layers (slices) from the log while it is being rotated. These thin slices of wood (called
veneers) are then pressed and bonded together using phenolic resins.
A plywood sheet is made up of at least 3 veneers (plies) if not more.
For example:
3 ply
5 ply
13 ply etc.
(Number of plies are always an odd number)
When more number of veneers are used, the thickness as well as the cost of the plywood
increases.
Thickness:
18 mm ply
19 mm ply etc.
Standard size sheets are manufactured by most manufacturers across India. While thickness is
usually measured in mm (metric system), the prevalent naming convention for sheet sizes is still
in feet. Prices are also based on cost per sq.foot.
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Sizes of the sheets:

6 x 4 sheet (6 feet by 4 feet)
8 x 4 sheet (8 feet by 4 feet) etc.

Listed here are the standard Plywood sizes and thickness in India.

Ways in which Plywood is decorated

Laminates:
Decorative Laminates or others (which are actually a blend of paper and plastic) are glued over
the plywood surfaces. Laminates are available in a very wide variety of colours, patterns and
textures, and is the most common way of decorating plywood furniture and panels.
Paints:
Paint has for long been a way of protecting wood and increasing its beauty. It is a low-cost
alternative to laminates or veneers and a large choice of wood colours are available.
Polish:
Wood Polish is usually used on wooden furniture that is made of quality hardwoods such as teak,
however polishing plywood is not uncommon. Carpenters often use wood polish (of darker
colours) on some parts of furniture (such as the underside of tables and the inside planks of
single and double beds).
Veneer:
Wood veneers are thin slices/sheets of quality woods such as teak, which can be glued over the
plywood surface to increase its beauty and make it look richer. Most casual observers cannot
differentiate between a piece of solid teakwood furniture and one that simply has a teak veneer
on the outside. Veneers are usually the costliest way of decorating plywood.
Classification of plywoods based on Indian Standards specification number
IS: 303 - MR Plywood, BWP/BWR Plywood, Flexi Ply
IS: 710 - Marine Plywood
IS: 10701 - Structural plywood
IS: 5509-1980 - Fire Retardant Plywood
IS: 4990 - Shuttering Plywood
Company Branded plywood vs. locally made brands of plywood
The laminates and plywood market in India still has a very large unorganized sector. This
consists of many small-scale plywood manufacturers making plywood sheets and selling it to the
local market. The bigger reputed plywood companies manufacture most of the types of plywood,
while the local brands mainly focus on Commercial MR grade plywood. Additionally many of
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the bigger plywood brands have now also ventured into the manufacturing of particle boards and
MDF boards.

Lets know the difference between MR grade vs BWR grade plywood

what is the difference between MR grade vs BWR grade plywood and which plywood is better
for commercial use as well as in house. this article helps you to understand the difference
between MR grade vs BWR grade plywood and clear you doubt on it.

Plywood is used in furniture making because of its high versatility and great finish, which gives
your furniture the best look and appearance. Plywood has several advantages over normal solid
wood .Hence, most of the furniture makers and manufacturers prefer plywood rather than normal
wood. As plywood is highly water resistant, it can be used to make both outdoor as well as
kitchen fittings. Moreover, it is more affordable than solid and pure wood furniture’s. The
modification and change in design can be easily implied on plywood. An excellent benefit of
using plywood is its characteristics of not warping like normal wooden furniture’s. They do not
warp off and remain in their original shape or design.

Selection of best quality plywood determines the quality of your construction. There are different
grades and varieties of plywood available in the market. Different grades of plywood are used in
making different kinds of furniture’s. The strength of each grade depends upon the layers of the
wood strip placed to form the plywood. Generally, plywood are made from different varieties of
wood including oak, maple, pine, spruce, fir etc.

MR Grade plywood:–
MR grade plywood or better known as moisture resistant plywood is a type of commercial
plywood, which is widely used in robust construction needs. This grade of plywood has the
unique characteristic of moisture or humidity resistance. This type of plywood is generally used
in various indoor furniture making like kitchen rooftops, cabinets, doors, tables etc. MR grade of
plywood is known for its high internal strength. They are used in making furniture’s of home or
office.MR grade ply has more internal density than any other grades and hence used in robust
furniture making works. Also they are devoid of any warping effect, which ensures the longevity
of your furnitures.MR grade plywood is made from, IS: 303 of Indian National Standards.

BWR Grade Plywood:–

BWR grade plywood or better known as Boiling Water Resistant plywood is basically a water
resistant plywood. It is completely waterproof in nature and is widely used in making home and
office furniture’s. As the ply ensures of high water resistivity, it can be used for making both
indoor as well as outdoor furniture’s. It can be used in making lawn chairs, garden tables and
chairs, indoor furniture’s as well as kitchen fittings. BWR grade of plywood is generally made
from phenolic resins. This phenolic resins are nothing but synthetic plastic resins. Therefore,
BWR grade plywood possesses the characteristics of high water resistivity. BWR grade plywood
is made from, IS: 303 of Indian National Standards.
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Veneers vs. Laminates

What is a Veneer?
Veneer is a very thin slice of wood obtained from a tree log. That is why it is also known as
wood veneers, since they are actually slices of wood.
How are veneers made?
Logs obtained from trees are mounted horizontally on a machine, and rotated about their
longitudinal axis while a cutter peels off layers from the log. Such types of wood veneers are
called rotary-cut veneers. The other type is sliced veneers in which logs are sliced instead of
being rotated and peeled. Sliced veneers are more costlier to produce but these are capable of
providing us with veneers of a higher quality.
What is a Laminate?
Laminates, also known as decorative laminates are artificially produced materials made from
paper and plastic resins. Similar to veneers these are also used as an overlay over wooden
surfaces to increase their beauty.
How are laminates made?
Laminates are made from two different kinds of paper soaked in resins. One is a brown base
paper that is soaked and saturated with a synthetic phenolic resin (plastic resin), and the other
paper is a decorative paper on which the design pattern is printed. This decorative paper is
soaked and saturated in transparent melamine resin. The use of resins make the paper hard and
brittle. The two papers are placed over each other and hard-pressed together to manufacture the
laminate sheet.
Veneers vs. Laminates:
The question of whether to choose laminates or veneers often arises when we are re-decorating
our furniture. Another often asked question is whether to go for Veneered MDF or Laminated
Plywood for the kitchen cabinets or other such furniture. The major points of comparison
between veneers and laminates are listed below.
1. Which looks better?
Both laminates and veneers are decorative overlay materials, meant to increase the beauty of the
underlying wood. If you prefer a natural look and feel, veneers is a good choice, because its a
wooden material, a slice of wood. There are many kinds of good looking wood veneers obtained
from different trees. e.g. teak, cherry, oak, maple etc.
On the other hand, there are also laminates available in the market that resemble wood grain
patterns and look exactly like wood, though they are not. Since decorative laminates are made
from designs printed on paper, there is a wide variety available.
The basic point is veneers are natural, while laminates are artificial materials.
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2. Which is costlier?

High quality veneers are generally costlier than laminates. The cost of laminates depends on the
brand and quality.
3. Which ones are easier to maintain?
Laminates are easier to maintain. They are scratch-resistant, waterproof and usually retain their
look for years. In comparison, veneers require more maintainence. They need to polished from
time to time, so that they look as beautiful as ever.
4. Which one is better. Veneered MDF or laminated plywood?
This is matter of choice. Amongst substrate wood materials, good quality waterproof plywood
made using phenolic resins is usually considered stronger and better than MDF (Medium density
fibre boards), but the suitability of material depends on the kind of furniture being made.
For example in the case of kitchen cabinets, veneered MDF is often used for making the doors
(shutters), while the box frame is made from plywood since it has a greater structural strength.
In terms of aesthetic value, veneered MDF (natural veneer glued over MDF wood) looks better
than laminated plywood in many cases. But laminates on the other hand, offer a wider variety
such as high-gloss, plain vanilla look, thousands of design patterns and colours, as also the
popular ones that resemble natural wood grain patterns.