Birch plywood is a popular and high quality wood with fine grain texture. It is made out of birch veneers that are bonded and layered in alternating directions up to the required thickness.
Standard range of birch ply varies in thickness along with the grading. The popular 18mm birch plywood offers great quality hardwood at an affordable cost. Birch ply that is birch throughout plywood is known for it’s strength and stability. Be aware of some suppliers offering alternating face grades like BB/BB and BB/CP. Generally, the best grade is B/BB for good finish and clean appearance.
Application: Birch plywood consists of a plain hardwood panel that has a smooth and neat finish often used as a home improvement material. Especially popular in furniture making and high end packaging here we list some of the reasons for it’s popularity:
- Aesthetic Look – It has a an elegant finish with very few knots giving you a wide choice of application methods. Depending on the look you wish to achieve, it can be left untreated or it can be stained.
- Durability – Strength and stability comes from the engineering process in which the layers of birch are formed.
- Safety – Thanks to its engineered construction the edges are not known to crack, shrink or splinter. This type of wood is therefore perfect in furniture making and as a good material for children’s toys.
- Sustainability: Birch trees are a fast growing species of wood widely available in the northern hemisphere. This makes it plentiful as a renewable source with less impact on the environment.
Plywood Types and Uses Summary
| Plywood Type | Birch | Hardwood | Softwood | Marine | Shuttering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Often Used For | Furniture making, children’s toys, high-end packaging | Joinery, furniture making, shelving, all types of millwork | Structural work, flooring, walls, roofs, fencing, windows, decorative purposes | Marine environment, structural work, outdoor furniture, porches, decking | Construction, ceilings and walls, shaping and holding concrete |
| Aesthetic |  | | * | ||
| Durable | | | |||
| Affordable | | | | ||
| Sustainable | | ||||
| High Quality | | | |||
| Water Resistant | | ||||
| High Strength | | | |||
| Disadvantages | Some suppliers offer alternating face grades like BB/BB and BB/CP | More expensive | Prone to splintering if not handled correctly with tools, lower grades may require filling | Further sealing needed for harsh environments | Some sheets are for single use only, phenolic faced is more expensive |
* in higher grades only
