What is plywood?

 When learning about interior or construction materials, many people ask: what is plywood and is it durable? This is a widely used material thanks to its reasonable price and high applicability. From tables, chairs, cabinets to floors, plywood appears in most civil works today. Let's explore the details of this type of wood to understand its characteristics and how to use it effectively!

What is plywood?

Plywood is a material created by compressing layers of wood chips, sawdust or wood chips with specialized glue under high pressure and temperature. This type of wood was created to replace natural wood, helping to save forest resources and production costs.

The plywood production process begins with collecting raw materials such as wood chips, sawdust, then drying and mixing with adhesive. This mixture is put into a press with great pressure and high temperature to form a solid wood panel. Finally, the wood panels are cut, sanded and covered with a surface layer such as melamine, veneer or laminate.

There are many types of plywood on the market today, the most popular of which are MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), HDF (High Density Fiberboard), particle board (PB – Particle Board), and Melamine-coated plywood. Each type has its own characteristics in terms of durability, load-bearing capacity, moisture resistance and price to suit different usage needs.

Comparison between plywood and other types of wood

1. Natural wood vs. plywood: the differences

Natural wood is directly exploited from trees, retaining the natural wood fiber structure and color, while plywood is a material made from wood chips, wood fibers or sawdust bonded with industrial glue. Natural wood often brings luxurious beauty and superior durability, while plywood is more flexible in design, size and suitable for mass production.

2. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages between plywood and natural wood

Natural wood is durable, strong, can be carved delicately, but is expensive and prone to warping and termites if not treated carefully. In contrast, plywood is cheaper, has a variety of designs, is less warped, is easy to construct but is less durable, has lower water resistance and force than solid wood. Choosing the right type of wood depends on the purpose of use, budget and aesthetic requirements.

Applications of plywood in life

1. Using plywood in furniture: tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves

Plywood is widely used in the interior field thanks to its flexible processing capabilities and affordable prices. Products such as desks, wardrobes, bookshelves or beds made of plywood not only ensure functionality but also bring high aesthetics when combined with coatings such as melamine or veneer. In addition, thanks to the diversity of colors and surfaces, plywood easily fits many design styles from modern to minimalist.

2. Plywood in construction: flooring, partition walls

In the construction industry, plywood is used as flooring, partition walls and ceilings thanks to its good load-bearing capacity and dimensional stability. This material helps reduce the load on the construction, is quick to construct and easy to maintain. In particular, some types of plywood are moisture-proof and termite-proof, suitable for hot and humid climates like in Vietnam.

3. Application of plywood in industry

In addition to furniture and construction, plywood is also used in many industrial fields such as the production of cargo boxes, pallets, molds and packaging materials. With the ability to withstand large loads and easy to mass produce, plywood helps save costs and improve production efficiency in factories, processing plants and logistics.

Advice on using plywood

1. How to choose good quality plywood

When choosing plywood, you should prioritize products with clear origins, smooth, flat surfaces, no peeling and no strong chemical odors. You should check the hardness, bearing capacity as well as the uniform thickness between the panels. In addition, depending on the purpose of use such as interior decoration or flooring, you should choose the appropriate type of plywood such as MDF, HDF or plywood to ensure durability and aesthetics.

2. Advice on maintenance and cleaning of plywood

To prolong the life of plywood products, you should place them in a dry, airy place, avoiding direct contact with water and strong sunlight. When cleaning, just use a soft, damp cloth to wipe off dust and dirt, do not use strong detergents. Periodically check areas that are prone to warping or mold for early treatment, helping to maintain the stability and beauty of the product.

Conclusion

After learning in detail about the characteristics, applications and how to choose, you must have a clearer view of the question of what is plywood. This is a widely used material thanks to its reasonable price, ease of construction and suitability for many needs in modern life. Although it cannot completely replace natural wood, plywood is still a smart choice if you know how to choose the right type and preserve it properly. Hopefully, the article has helped you have more useful information to apply in practice.