Where to use

As discussed before, it is a must to identify the area where the plywood will be used.

• Plywood or kitchen: if you want to buy furniture in the kitchen, look for waterproof.
• Furniture or bedroom: Choose commercial or MR grade ply if wanting to use them in furniture in dry areas like your living room, bedroom, or study room.

Thickness of Plywood

Plywood thickness can range from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inches.  The most common is 1/2-inch. It is good to measure the thickness using a vernier caliper. Reduce the quality procedures, for the most part, spare cash on materials by bringing down the thickness.

Check for ISI Marks

Remember that the best quality ply is always ISI certified.

•  IS: 303 is the MR grade plywood or commercial ply
• IS: 710 is the Waterproof or Marine Plywood

Look for CM/L Number

Check the CM/L number before choosing a ply. The number is mentioned below the ISI mark. Every plywood manufacturer is allotted a unique CM/L number. It is the number of Plywood Manufacturers in India for different grades they are certified to manufacture according to the ISI norms. Don’t buy plywood that no CM/L number.

Check Weight Ply

Don’t always go for weight. The heavier ply is not always the correct choice. Instead, focus on layers of veneer (veneer is thin sheets of wood sawed off from trees). It is good if the layers are glued together using water-resistant glue. The plywood must be made of the best wood. Spruce, pine, mahogany, birch, douglas fir, oak, and maple are some of the types of wood that are used for exterior plywood.

Look for Hollowness & Core Gaps

When selecting plywood for your needs, always check the hollowness. For this, knock at the center and other parts of the ply. If it gives the same sound, then the ply is not hollow.

In addition, don’t fail to examine the side of the plywood to ensure core layers are visible as straight lines with no core gaps and much overlapping. What else? Inspect the surface of the plywood. It should be smooth and should not have ups or downs.

Conclusion

If you want to buy ply, always find the best plywood manufacturers. Don’t just blindly go for a big brand. But focus on the quality and all the points mentioned above. The most interesting part, there are several brands that give guarantees against their product. It is always good to opt for a brand that gives the maximum warranty period.