| Plywood is probably the most widely available | | | | protect the outer veneer. |
| manufactured board material. It is made by bonding | | | | Internal plywood is of a similar quality as Exterior |
| together a number of thin veneers of softwood or | | | | grade but it does not use water resistant adhesive. It |
| hardwood - or a combination of each. There is | | | | can be used for wall panelling, flooring and furniture. |
| always an odd number of veneers and the direction | | | | Shuttering Ply is used in the construction industry for |
| of the grain runs alternately to give the material | | | | making shuttering boxes for containing concrete while |
| strength; the more veneers used, the stronger the | | | | it goes off. Although water resistance to a degree, |
| plywood. Both the type of glue and veneers | | | | the sides of this material are not finished with a |
| determine the suitability of a sheet for a particular | | | | decorative veneer and is generally not suitable for |
| application. The finish quality of plywood varies | | | | use where the a quality finish is required. |
| enormously, some have attractive grains while others | | | | Marine Plywood is made with waterproof adhesive so |
| can have a large number of knots. | | | | that it will stand immersion in water, the veneers |
| Exterior grade plywood (WBP - Weather and Boil | | | | themselves will not last forever under water so the |
| Proof) is specially made using a water-resistant | | | | material should still be finished with paint or varnish. |
| adhesive to withstand a certain amount of moisture | | | | Plywood is normally available in 2440 x 1220 sheets |
| and can be used for outdoor constructions - sheds | | | | (or subdivisions) and in thicknesses from 3 to 35 |
| etc. and is sometimes used as a cladding material, | | | | mm.Visit the Woodworking Plans Website pages for |
| particularly for insert panels under windows. WBP | | | | more woodworking articles. |
| does require additional protection (paint or varnish) to | | | | |