| Structural Exterior Plywood | EN 636-2 or EN 636-3; equivalent structural specifications may apply | Exterior-bonded panels designed for humid conditions; EN 314-2 Class 3 is commonly associated with exterior bonding performance | Balanced cross-laminated veneers with sound glue lines and controlled core gaps | Face veneers may contain repaired knots and natural color variation; back face can be lower visual grade | Wall sheathing, roof components, transport structures, outdoor construction, and general structural work | Confirm the required design values, thickness tolerances, formaldehyde class, fire performance, and local building-code acceptance |
| Marine-Use Plywood | Project-specific marine plywood specification; verify applicable national or maritime requirements | Durable waterproof adhesive and carefully controlled manufacturing; the term “marine” alone does not guarantee permanent immersion performance | High-quality, low-void core with tight veneer joints and consistent thickness | Usually smooth, defect-controlled faces suitable for coating, laminating, or detailed finishing | Boat components, docks, wet-area construction, exterior joinery, and demanding coated assemblies | Specify edge sealing, coating systems, fastener protection, and exposure limits; no plywood should be assumed to be maintenance-free |
| Film-Faced Formwork Plywood | Project formwork specification; structural classification and overlay requirements should be stated separately | Weather-resistant adhesive; phenolic film and sealed edges improve resistance to water and concrete alkalinity | Stable, multi-ply hardwood or softwood core with minimal local defects and reliable screw-holding capacity | Smooth resin-impregnated film face; common overlay weights range approximately from 120 to 240 g/m² depending on the specification | Concrete formwork, slabs, columns, walls, and reusable temporary structures | Check panel flatness, film type, edge sealing, release-agent compatibility, reuse expectations, and cleaning procedures |
| Furniture and Interior Plywood | EN 636-1 for dry interior conditions; furniture specifications may add appearance requirements | Interior-bonded panel for dry conditions; not intended for repeated wetting or exterior exposure without additional protection | Uniform veneer thickness, balanced layup, low core voids, and good machining stability | Clear or lightly repaired face, consistent grain, low sanding defects, and suitable substrate for paint, laminate, or veneer | Cabinetry, wall panels, doors, furniture, retail interiors, and decorative joinery | Review visible-face grading, color consistency, formaldehyde emissions, machining tolerances, and indoor air-quality requirements |
| Decorative Hardwood Plywood | EN 635 appearance classification or an equivalent project-specific face-grade schedule | Bond type is selected according to the intended service environment; appearance grade does not by itself define water resistance | Cross-banded construction selected for dimensional stability and a visually consistent face | Face grade may range from virtually clear to repaired natural appearance; specify open defects, color variation, and matching requirements | High-end furniture, wall cladding, ceilings, doors, hospitality interiors, and architectural features | Approve physical samples or control panels because veneer appearance is affected by species, slicing method, lighting, and finish |
| Bending Plywood | Manufacturer and project performance specification; thickness and bending radius must be defined | Usually intended for interior dry service unless an exterior-grade adhesive is specifically documented | Very thin veneers or specially oriented plies that allow bending across or along the panel direction | Smooth, flexible face suitable for veneers, laminates, paint, or upholstery substrates | Curved furniture, columns, acoustic forms, exhibition structures, and interior architectural elements | Confirm minimum bending radius, grain direction, spring-back behavior, fixing method, and whether wet forming is permitted |
| Lightweight Core Plywood | Project structural or furniture specification; mass and stiffness must be verified by test data | Bond performance varies with the core material and adhesive system; exposure class must be confirmed before use | Low-density wood core, balsa-type core, or engineered lightweight core between stronger face veneers | Typically smooth, calibrated faces designed for laminating, painting, or veneering | Vehicle interiors, modular construction, furniture, partitions, doors, and weight-sensitive assemblies | Compare density, bending stiffness, screw withdrawal, edge fixing, moisture response, and transport weight—not only the nominal thickness |
| Structural Hardwood Plywood | EN 636 structural grades, national structural plywood standards, or an engineered design specification | Selected according to dry, humid, or exterior service conditions; structural performance must be supported by declared values or test results | Dense, cross-laminated hardwood veneers provide high strength, impact resistance, and good fastener retention | Face quality ranges from utility grade to decorative grade; structural strength and visual appearance are separate selection criteria | Heavy-duty flooring, vehicle bodies, industrial packaging, machinery platforms, and demanding structural components | Account for panel weight, handling equipment, transport regulations, moisture cycling, fire requirements, and connection design |
