Commercial plywood is the standard plywood you can access in any hardware store when you ask for plywood. Commercial plywood is usually a grade of plywood that is relatively cheap because it is manufactured out of veneers or slices of wood called the ply, which is glued or bonded together under high pressure.
Different veneer kinds popular in a specific region are used to make commercial plywood.
Commercial plywood, in simple terms, is the primary or standard plywood available. Commercial plywood is also termed MR-grade plywood. MR stands for moisture resistant. Moisture resistance means the plywood can withstand some amount of moisture, humidity, and dampness.
Most plywood is classified as 3-ply, 5-ply, or multi-ply, while speciality plywood can have any number of plies above three. One of the most popular varieties of plywood is three-ply. Since it is more attractive than thicker plywood boards, it is typically used inside and is around 2- to 3 millimeters thick. A versatile kind of plywood that is roughly 4 millimetres thick is called 5-ply. It can be used inside and outside, although it is best to avoid using it to frame any long-term buildings, such as a shed or a house. Any plywood that has seven or more plies is referred to as multi-ply. This plywood is sturdy and long-lasting enough to be used for structural, exterior, and roofing work.
Commercial plywood is mostly used to adorn the interiors of residences. Hanging lights, furniture, and bookcases are some of its main uses. However, commercial plywood is a great option for interiors due to its adaptability. It is a versatile material that is preferred by both home and commercial owners.
A crucial material utilized in the production and construction processes is commercial plywood. When compared to other, more specialist materials like oriented strand board, this sort of material has many advantages, including the ability to be cut relatively easily and the availability of large quantities for purchase at a reasonable price.
Two types of commercial plywood are available in the market i.e. Hardwood and Softwood.
Hardwood plywood refers to the plywood that is manufactured by bonding veneers together from hardwood. Softwood plywood refers to using veneers of softwood or softwood chips that are glued together that are then heat pressed in the manufacturing of softwood plywood.
BWP & BWR Plywood
BWP (Boiling Water Proof) and BWR ( Boiling Water Resistance) are the 2 major moisture-resistant commercial plywood. Since both are resistant to boiling water they are often used in kitchen cabinets, where the contact of water is high. BWP plywood stands for weather and boiling proof. They are considered marine-grade plywood. BWP can bare humidity and moisture for a longer time without delamination. Gluing up 3 to 4 layers of veneer can make BWP plywood. Phenolic glue is the one that is used to make the sheets together in BWP. BWR is called Boiling water resistance Plywood and is highly resistant to water. They are mainly used for home furnishing, office as well as outdoors. Here the plywood is made of phenolic resins.
Manufacturing of Commercial Plywood
Plywood, be it any grade or type, is typically made by gluing several veneer sheets together. The veneer sheets are manufactured from logs of wood obtained from different tree species. The veneer species varies with a geographical location like you will have Rubber plywood coming from the South of India, similarly, you have different veneer species from the North, East, and West of India.
Commercial plywoods are made from different veneer species, but the basic properties of commercial plywood remain the same. The inside material is the same. The only difference is its manufacturing process or treatment you can say (which varies from each manufacturing unit) and secondly, the adhesive used to glue veneers. Usually, Urea formaldehyde is used as an adhesive to glue veneers.
Commercial Plywood Sizes
The standard dimension of plywood is 4X8 feet. You may have hardwood plywood in less than normal size measuring about 2X2, 2X4, and 4X4 feet. The utility grade plywood is also longer than usual commercial plywood sizes and is about 4X10 feet.
Uses
The most common usage of commercial plywood is for interior structures like homes and businesses. Commercial plywood will help you achieve the finest results when money is tight and you want to get the best results. In dry spaces like living rooms, study rooms, workplaces, etc., it is ideal. The majority of the time, it is utilised to create furniture, including wall paneling, partitioning, etc. However, employing waterproof plywood, such as BWR grade plywood, is thought to be the best in situations when water contact is anticipated. Commercial plywood is popular in the plywood business and is favoured by many homebuyers and architects due to considerations including quality, pricing, and appearance.
- Commercial plywood is renowned for its adaptability and durability, which makes it possible to readily create the desired designs.
- The formation of alluring designs through cuts is possible with this plywood.
- Primary applications of commercial plywood includehanging lights, furniture, and bookshelves.
- Due to its vast scope, it can be used for various applications and many interior designs opt for this type of plywood for applications like home decorations.
- It is known for acting as the best substitute for conventional elements that were used in interior design like cement, synthetic paints, tiles, metals, and various other common elements
- Commercial plywood is widely used for a variety of applications because it is highly cost-effective and, unlike its competitors, does not compromise on quality.
- Commercial plywood’s incredibly high tensile strength and greater durability assist interior designers create extraordinary innovative structures and enable them to bring their artistic ideas to life.
Top Brands for Plywood in India
- CenturyPly
CenturyPly is an Indian manufacturer founded in 1986. Century Plyboards (India) Ltd deals in Plywood, Veneers, Laminates, Doors, Blockboards, Fiber Cement Boards, and Planks.
Plywood Range: Architect Plywood, Club Prime Plywood, SharonPly, Sainik Ply, Fire Safe Plywood, Centuryply Elasto, Teak
Sizes Available: 8′ x 4′ | 8′ x 3′ |7′ x 4′ | 7′ x 3′
Thickness: 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12 mm, 16mm,19 mm, and 25 mm
- Green Ply
Greenply Industries Limited (GIL) was formed in 1996 but actually founded under the name of Mittal Laminates Private Limited in 1990. Greenply manufactures products like Plywood, Decorative Veneers, Decorative Laminates, Blockboard, and Doors.
Plywood Range: Green Club Plus Plywood, BWP, MR, Absolute Calibrated Ply, Marine Grade, Gold Prima, Gold, Gold Platinum
Thickness: 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12 mm, 16mm,19 mm, and 25 mm
- Kit Ply
Kitply Industries Limited is founded in 1982. Manufacturer of Plywood, Natural Veneers, Blockboards, Doors, etc.
Plywood Range: Kitply Gold, Swastik Gold, PF, Swastik Plus, Curvy, Vista, Royale, Densified.
- Sarda Plywood
Sarda Plywood Industries Limited was founded in 1957 and manufactures Plywood, Blockboard, Doors, and veneers. Sarda plywood is also known as DURO plywood which was introduced in 1968.
Plywood Range: Duro Titanium, Titanium Plus, Duro Pumaply, Pumaply Club, Duro Tech Ply, Tower Ply, Duro Dynamo, Duro Marine, Duro Flex, Duro Fireshield.Duro Derby.
- National Plywood
National Plywood Industries Ltd was founded in the year 1973. National plywood manufactures Plywood, Laminate, Blockboard & Flush Door.
Plywood Range: Platinum Club, Silver Plus, Club Plus.
References :
- Nitin., ContractorBhai. 2018. What is commercial ply? – ContractorBhai.
- Mccoymart, T., 2022. What are Commercial Plywood – Its Types and Sizes, Mccoymart
- Lane, C., 2015. Top 5 Plywood Brands In India. [online] CivilLane
- Soni, H., 2022. THE BENEFITS OF BWP AND BWR PLYWOOD – Wudbell
- Ply, G., 2019. Everything You Need to Know About Commercial Plywood Manufacturers – Goldwood Ply.