Plywood is an engineered wood product, not a single type of solid wood like oak or pine. It belongs to the family of manufactured boards, which also includes materials such as particle board and oriented strand board (OSB).
Understanding Plywood's Composition
Based on information from sources like The Home Depot, plywood is specifically created from thin layers of wood veneer.
Here's a breakdown of how it's made:
- Veneer Source: The process starts with debarked wood. Thin sheets of veneer are peeled from these logs.
- Layering: These thin sheets, referred to as plies, are then glued together.
- Cross-Grain Pattern: A key characteristic of plywood construction is that these layers are bonded with the grain of each successive layer positioned at alternating right angles (a cross-grain pattern).
This unique construction method gives plywood strength and stability, distinguishing it from solid lumber.
Key Characteristics
Here are some essential points about what plywood is made of and how it's constructed:
- Material Type: Engineered Wood
- Family: Manufactured Boards (like particle board, OSB)
- Primary Component: Thin sheets of wood veneer
- Veneer Source: Peeled from debarked wood
- Construction: Plies (veneer layers) glued together
- Layer Orientation: Alternating right angles (cross-grain)
This process results in a versatile sheet material used widely in construction and woodworking.
