If you are a builder, you would know that choosing premium quality veneers and architectural plywood is one of the most important steps in a project. The selection will have a significant impact on the entire building process and the final result. However, installers in most cases struggle to find plywood products that exactly match their design requirements. It is important to find a supplier who has a large stock of plywood products to avoid issues like last-minute shortages. With experienced plywood suppliers in Melbourne like Maxiply coming to the fore, installers and designers can choose the products that best suit their design at affordable rates. In addition to choosing a reliable supplier, the grade, size, and edges of the plywood are all factors that determine the quality of plywood. Read further to know all the factors in detail.
THE GRADE
They are divided according to the glue bonds used in their manufacturing. Type A bond is resilient towards all weather conditions and it is therefore specified for exterior plywood. Type B bond is also appropriate for structural applications whereas C and D types are unfit for structural uses. However, this does not mean that C and D are not fit for structural applications. For purposes like subflooring, D can be used. A-A graded plywood is widely preferred for building rooftops and walls. Structural plywood is best suited for high foot traffic areas like the kitchen as they are non-corrosive and resistant to chemicals.
THE FLATNESS
Expert builders always prefer flatter plywood over curved plywood since bowed products are not useful in the construction of floors, rooftops, or doors. Therefore, make sure that the plywood you choose is at least 96% flat. If not, it will soon pave the way to structural errors. Also, avoid sheets that are warped at different angles.
THE TYPE
Softwood, hardwood, aircraft, exterior, marine, lumber core, overlaid, and structural plywood are some of the common plywood varieties available in the market. They are bought according to the requirements. For instance, Softwood plywood is best suited for roof sheathing and shelving whereas marine plywood is ideal for constructing benches and shelves. Click here to know about the manufacturing of plywood in detail. Expert plywood suppliers in Melbourne ensure that their client is familiarized with the application of every product they sell to avoid any possible hassle.
THE EDGES
The more the number of layers, the better the quality of the plywood. While purchasing the plywood, make sure that edges are thicker and uniform. One does not have to be a ply expert to check the edges of a plywood sheet. Thinner veneers may affect the finishing. In addition, the joints between the piles have to be smoother and the grains should also be close. Notice if there are knots on the sides because voids indicate that the product is faulty. If you do not pay attention to the voids in the sheet, it is highly likely that you will find more of them when you cut them.
THE SIZE
Though this might appear trivial, the size of the plywood has so much significance in building projects. The conventional plywood size is 4 x 8 ft. Installers usually buy plywood in this size and later cut them according to their needs. Along with the size of the plywood, thickness is one major indicator of plywood strength.