What is Structural Plywood, What are its uses?

Structural plywood is a very stable and workable type of plywood, with numerous applications for the building, shopfitting and cabinet making industries. Plywood is often best known for its use as internal cladding, but it can also be used externally.

Structural plywood is manufactured from a range of softwood and hardwood timber species. These timber species may not be durable when used in weather exposed situations. In exposed applications, structural plywood must be preservative treated to ensure it lasts its full service life and surface finished to minimise surface checking.

Structural Plywood is manufactured to AS/NZS 2269. It is available in grades based on face and back veneer quality from A to D. It is an appropriate material to use for bracing because of its natural strength, allowing creative freedom in the shape and design of windows.

Benefits of plywood include:

• Can be painted
• Keeps heat in or out
• Minimises expansion or contraction
• Strong
• Cost-effective
• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Resists impacts and heavy blows
• No special tools required
  
• Can be preservative-treated against decay
  
• Good thermal and sound insulation
  
• Quick and easy to use

To help you decide if it is structural Plywood you require for your next project, we have included a list of applications below.