Most oak plywood, have a thin coat of oak veneer that is stuck on top of lesser grades of plywood or other materials. This special treatment makes them slightly more expensive than other plywood, though they become much more effective and useful. These plywood boards are manufactured by fixing layers of thin wooden sheets together. These sheets are also known as veneers. The plywood is treated with veneer by compressing them on top of the wooden boards using heat and pressure. These plywood are much stronger as compared to standard wooden boards because of the layers of added wooden sheets.
Plywood Grades
Plywood is always sold in grades, and these grades refer to the quality of the finishing and treatment given to them. All types of plywood, have to be stamped so as to comply with the National Plywood Standard PS of 1-83 in America. Depending on the basis of the grades, you can choose to make home furniture with grades that are of high quality. The oak plywood grades range from A, B, C & D, wherein 'A' is the most superior in quality with no blemishes and extremely well sanded. While 'D' grade plywood have the least finishing and have surfaces that have not been smoothened out. The 'D' stamped grades have the maximum amount of blemishes permissible for commercial use. Though some plywood also come in grade combination, that is the upper surface has been given a different grade of treatment as compared to the woods undersurface. The upper surfaces are always given a comparatively superior finish.
For instance, an oak plywood may be categorized into plywood grades. Plywood with grade A-C, happens to be the best quality available in the market. This grade would have an excellently finished face and a not so well treated under back. Another category of grade is B-C which is also excellent for exterior plywood uses. C-D graded plywood are meant purely for tough construction and structural purposes, such as for home construction and to be used as a part of buildings materials. Though C-D graded plywood are also used as exterior uses sometimes.
Standard Plywood Sizes
Interior oak plywood are used for the construction of interior structures such as cabinets and its shelves, as protective coverings for walls and buildings. This wood is preferred because of its resistance to moisture as well as for its strength and durability. While exterior plywood are treated with a special protective coat of glue that makes them far more resistant to moisture and damage as compared to interior alternative. The plywood sizes and types that are available in the U.S. come in sizes of 3/4" or 23/32", 1/2 or 15/32 " and 1/4" or 7/32". This plywood is available in boards that may consist of three, five or seven piles. The standard dimensions of these plywood boards is about 1.2 m x 2.4 m (4 feet x 8 feet). Though it is about 1/8 inches thick. The plywood meant for roofing are commercially available in sizes that are 3/8 inches while plywood boards for wood flooring as well as basement flooring have a standard size of 5/8 inches.
Prices for these plywood may vary from one grade to the other, though domestic prices of red oak and white oak plywood for grade A-1 may cost you anywhere between $95 to $135. Solid plywood furniture is the best to use as they are not very prone to damage, from scratches and stains as compared to Oak veneer furniture. That is because solid plywood do not contain added wooden products such as particle boards.
Oak plywood is comparatively much more long-lasting, provided its solid oak and is maintained well. While oak veneers always tend to chip off after a while. Sometimes they start to warp and have bubbled protrusions that begin to appear if the wood gets wet or damp for a long time.
