It can be hard to find the best quality plywood while looking for wood for your furniture. It is confusing to make an educated decision with all the options in the market at present. You obviously want to make sure you get the strongest plywood such that it sustains for a long period of time rather than needing replacement after some years of use.
It is quite a popular myth that more expensive plywoods and those from bigger and more popular brands are better than those which are cheap. This is not always true. Sometimes, lesser-known brands produce the best quality plywood. However, how would you know whether the plywood in question was of good or bad quality?
In this article, we have highlighted the ways to run your own quality check on the plywood that you are thinking of purchasing. But first, let us look at the types of plywoods available in the market presently.
Types of plywoods
These are some basic plywood types provided by the best plywood brands in India.
1. Hardwood plywood
these are heavier types of plywoods which can be used in furniture that can handle heavy weight. Since it is heavy, it is also quite strong and sturdy.
2. Softwood plywood
these are a comparatively less heavy kind of plywood. This type of plywood is mostly used in structural applications.
3. Sanded plywood
these are plywoods that get a smooth finish after the manufacturing process. This kind of plywood is mainly used for surfaces that will remain visible in your place, for example, bookshelves or panels.
4. Structural plywood
this kind of plywood is manufactured for the purpose of being used in permanent structures. These are very strong but aren’t as pleasing to look at as, say, sanded plywood. These are commonly used in beams, and other such invisible places.
How to determine the quality of your plywood?
Finally, let us see how to differentiate good quality plywood from bad quality plywood. Make sure to use the CenturyPromise App to determine high-quality plywood!
1. Warranty
many brands offer extended warranty on the product that they sell. Therefore, it can be worth it to check how long that warranty extends. Do your research properly since some brands offer a warranty for as long as a lifetime!
2. Touch-test
another good determiner is what is known as the touch test. This is nothing but a physical examination of the wood. Check for any bumps or flaws that cannot be overlooked, which the wood might have.
3. The purpose you need it for
\how you will be using the plywood greatly impacts the opinion you will have regarding its quality. As mentioned above, plywood comes in many forms and types.
4. Appearance
when you go to the store to purchase plywood, look for any uneven lines or gaps that might be visible in the wood. This is a good indicator of the quality of the wood you’re looking to purchase.
5. The thickness of the ply
now, this is a tricky one. You will have to knock on the wood at different points to understand the quality of the wood. If the sound differs at various points, then the wood is probably of low quality. Remember, the ideal thickness for wood is around 4mm to 25mm.
6. ISI Mark
this is the Indian Standard Industry certification. If the wood you’re buying has this mark, then you can be sure that the wood is of excellent quality since this certifies that the wood meets industry standards.
7. Weight
the heavier the plywood, the better the chances of its quality being subpar. This is true because higher weight equals higher density which equals more strength. Needless to say, good quality plywood has more strength than bad quality plywood
8. Test reports
any reliable manufacturer should be able to provide you with quality lab test reports to account for what they claim to be true. Always ask for these before making your purchase as they serve as a guarantee for your buy.
Conclusion
This article is a reliable guide to purchasing plywood. From the types of plywood to determining the quality of this wood, all relevant information has been provided here. Remember that expensive does not always imply good quality. In case you are looking to purchase plywood, make sure to read this article thoroughly and do your research extensively!