As necessary with all structural wood based panels, plywood like any other has to be fit for the intended end use in terms of the testing that has been carried out and / or claims made for that end use. This applies to both the specification and the purchasing of plywood. A structural plywood is denoted by an ‘S’ after the Technical Classification e.g.EN 636-3 S on the product marking e.g. CE mark. However, this simple designation gives no indication of the level of performance. Therefore buyers should always obtain performance data to ensure the specific product they are purchasing is suitable for the end use to which it is destined, and the structural role it will be expected to perform.
Common uses for structural plywoods are in:
• floor decking
• wall sheathing
• flat roofing
• concrete formwork
• external cladding
