The Ultimate Guide to Identifying High Quality Plywood

Furniture making for your dream interiors is a herculean task. It’s not enough to just know about the aesthetics. You may build a chair that looks good, but what if it is lumpy and undurable? A gnawing termite might reduce your beautifully designed cupboard to mounds of dust. Hence, knowing about the features of best plywood sheets beforehand can result in making a wise investment for your home and furniture.

Back in the day, Plywood used to be a priced commodity and it was usually available in the highest quality. But over the years, it has grown in demand and is highly sought-after by architects, designers and homeowners. As a result, multiple plywood suppliers came in.

Here are Few Tips to Identify the Best Quality Plywood

1. Application Area 

There are different types of plywood which can be used for different purposes. The MR i.e., Moisture resistant, BWR i.e., boiling water-resistant, and BWP i.e., boiling waterproof to name a few. Each of these plywood has unique properties that are suitable for different areas. So firstly, identify the room or area where the plywood would be used. For example, if you are purchasing a ply for bedroom wardrobe, study or living room then consider MR grade or a commercial one. However, for bathrooms or kitchens Gurjan or waterproof plywood is more suitable.

2. Thickness

Before buying plywood be sure to evaluate the thickness. It is also important to make sure that the thickness does not vary across the plywood. The thickness of the sheet is determined by the number of plies. More plies generally form a thicker and stronger board. Plywood thicknesses start up from 4mm and extend up to 25 mm which is available in the market. The best plywood in India comes with calibration to ensure uniform thickness.

3. ISI Mark 

ISI marks set a standardisation and the best quality plywood is always ISI certified. To protect yourself from being cheated or duped, always check if it has an ISI mark. It is the best way to know whether the plywood is genuine or not. Commercial Or MR Grade Plywood is IS: 303 and Marine or Waterproof Plywood is IS: 710 and so on. Each Plywood manufacturer has a unique CML no., which helps in identifying plywood manufacturers easily. So, look for the CML number also underneath the ISI mark.

4. Warranty 

Brands that trust their products’ quality, usually give extended warranty which sometimes lasts up to a lifetime! Always look out for warranty information on all products as Warranty is a good indicator of product quality.

5. Physical Examination

Last but not least, is the physical test. If you’re going to the store to buy plywood, do a full physical examination. Ways to check plywood quality are as follows –

– Make sure the surface is smooth by checking for bumps
– Check if the plywood has even thickness on all sides
– To check overlapping or gapping, ask for a piece of ply and inspect the cross-section
– See that there are no hollow spaces by knocking on different places of the ply
– Make sure the plywood is warp/bend free

It might seem confusing and overwhelming to choose the best plywood sheets. But if you know what you’re looking for it becomes much easier and faster! A good-quality plywood can surely increase the lifespan of your furniture. In case you’re wondering where to buy good quality plywood, reach out to Bhutan Tuff’s enquiry and we’ll deliver it to you! All our products are ISI certified! Learn more about plywood and the different types by visiting our website.