What Is Plywood? Everything You Need to Know About Engineered Wood and

Plywood is one of the most widely used materials in modern construction, interior design, packaging, and even marine applications. You’ve probably seen it at home improvement stores, construction sites, or inside furniture—but how much do you really know about what plywood is, how it’s made, and how it differs from other engineered wood like LVL or film-faced panels?

Let’s explore what makes plywood such a valuable material and why it continues to dominate the global wood industry.

Understanding Plywood: The Basics

Plywood is an engineered wood product made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneer. These layers are arranged so that the wood grain of each sheet is perpendicular to the next. This cross-laminated construction gives plywood remarkable strength, stability, and resistance to warping, making it more reliable than solid wood in many situations.

Plywood is typically manufactured with an odd number of layers commonly 3, 5, 7, or more to maintain a balanced structure. It comes in a variety of thicknesses, sizes, core types, and surface finishes, depending on its intended use.

What makes plywood stand out is its ability to maintain its shape under pressure, moisture, and temperature changes. That’s why it's used for everything from home interiors and furniture to subfloors and construction scaffolding.

How Plywood Is Made

The process starts with peeling logs to create thin sheets of veneer. These sheets are dried, sorted, and bonded together using adhesives. The type of glue used plays a major role in determining where the plywood can be used. For instance, interior plywood may use MR (moisture-resistant) glue, while exterior and marine plywood require WBP (weather and boil-proof) glue or phenolic resins.

The veneers are pressed under high temperature and pressure to create a single, solid board. The outermost layers, known as face veneers, are often selected for their aesthetic quality, while the inner core layers may vary in grade.

Common Applications of Plywood

Plywood’s strength-to-weight ratio and versatility make it suitable for a wide range of applications. In construction, it’s used for wall sheathing, roof decking, and subfloors. In furniture making, it's a preferred material for cabinets, shelving, tables, and even doors. In the packaging industry, plywood is used for crates and pallets, especially for heavy-duty or export packaging. And in marine applications, special types of plywood are used for boat building and dock construction.

Types of Plywood You Should Know

Not all plywood is created equal. Let’s look at three commonly used types LVL, Birch Plywood, and Film-Faced Plywood and how they compare.

LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is often mistaken for plywood but serves a different structural purpose. Instead of alternating the grain direction, LVL consists of multiple veneer layers with their grain running in the same direction. This gives LVL an edge in strength and makes it ideal for load-bearing applications. You’ll find LVL used in beams, headers, and other structural components where strength and consistency are essential. Because LVL is engineered for maximum performance, it’s often used in large-scale construction, scaffolding planks, and infrastructure projects.

Birch Plywood is a premium plywood type made entirely from birch hardwood veneers. Sourced mainly from Northern Europe, birch plywood is known for its fine grain, high durability, and minimal core voids. It has an excellent surface finish and is widely used in high-end furniture, cabinetry, acoustic panels, and laser cutting applications. Birch plywood also offers superior screw-holding capacity and a refined appearance, making it a favorite for architectural and designer work.

Film-Faced Plywood is a high-performance plywood covered with a resin-impregnated film on both surfaces. This film often phenolic or melamine provides a smooth, waterproof, and abrasion-resistant finish. It’s designed to withstand outdoor exposure and repeated use, which makes it the go-to material for concrete formwork, scaffolding platforms, and truck flooring. Thanks to its water resistance and durability, film-faced plywood can be used up to 10–20 times in casting applications if properly maintained.

What’s the Difference Between Plywood, LVL, and Film-Faced Plywood?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, especially by importers, construction professionals, and engineers sourcing materials internationally.

The key difference lies in their structure and intended use. Standard plywood has cross-laminated veneers, making it versatile for both construction and non-structural uses. LVL, on the other hand, has all veneers aligned in one direction, which makes it stronger along its length and suitable for structural applications. Film-faced plywood is essentially a standard plywood panel enhanced with a waterproof coating, designed for high-wear, high-moisture environments.

In short:

Use plywood for general-purpose applications, furniture, and interiors.
Choose LVL for load-bearing structures and framing.
Select film-faced plywood when water resistance and durability are priorities, especially in concrete casting or outdoor use.

How to Choose the Right Plywood Type

Selecting the right plywood depends on your project’s requirements. Ask yourself the following:

Is the material going to be exposed to moisture?
Does the structure require high load-bearing strength?
Is surface appearance important?
Will the panel be reused multiple times?
What is your budget?

For indoor furniture, birch plywood is ideal due to its clean look and stability. For beams or columns, LVL is more appropriate. And for outdoor or construction use, film-faced plywood will deliver better performance under harsh conditions.

Technical Considerations When Buying Plywood

If you're sourcing plywood internationally, you should also consider:

Glue type: MR, E0/E1, WBP, or phenolic
Core material: poplar, eucalyptus, or birch
Surface grade: BB/BB, B/BB, etc.
Certifications: FSC, CE, CARB, JAS
Dimensional tolerance and moisture content
Packing method for container shipping

Suppliers with experience in global exports typically offer consistent quality, custom sizes, and flexible logistics to meet different market needs.

🔎 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I choose the right plywood for my business?
It depends on your application, budget, and quality expectations. If you're unsure whether to use commercial plywood, film-faced, or LVL for your target market, read our detailed guide on How to Choose the Right Plywood for Your Business.

2. Is Vietnamese plywood better than Chinese plywood?
Each has pros and cons. Vietnamese plywood is known for consistent quality, better price stability, and flexible production, while Chinese plywood may offer more customization. Discover the full comparison in Vietnam vs China Plywood – Which Offers Better Quality & Value?.

3. Where can I view your plywood products?
We offer a wide range of plywood types including LVL, Birch, Film-Faced, Packing Plywood, and custom-made panels. Visit our full Plywood Product Page to explore specifications, photos, and export details.

Final Thoughts

Plywood isn’t just a board—it’s a versatile material engineered to solve real-world challenges in construction, manufacturing, and design. Understanding the differences between regular plywood, LVL, birch plywood, and film-faced plywood helps you make smarter, more efficient choices for your project.

Whether you’re building a home, designing a hotel interior, or exporting packaging products, the type of plywood you choose matters. Each version offers its own advantages, and selecting the right one can save time, cost, and effort down the line.

If you’re looking for a reliable source of plywood with consistent quality, technical support, and global shipping experience, Vietnam has emerged as a trusted manufacturing hub. Companies like TT Plywood offer a wide range of plywood types tailored to meet the demands of different industries and international standards.