Plywood Vs Solid wood | Comparsion between Plywood and Solidwood

This article discusses the pros and cons of using plywood and solid wood for our home furniture needs.

 

There are many things to consider, the most important of which is, stronger plywood or solid wood, and is it really worth the money to spend on solid wood furniture?

 

We will get to that, but first, to achieve a common position, here is a quick introduction of the two products.

 

Plywood is an engineered wood product. This is done by glueing individual layers (called veneers) on top of each other. These individual veneers are obtained from logs by rotating them and peeling thin layers from the logs.

 

Solid wood, on the other hand, does not require much introduction. It is a natural wood obtained from trees. The trees are first cut down, and then the logs are cut into small pieces, and these blocks are used to make furniture. The most popular solid trees are teak, oak, cherry, maple, mahogany and Indian rosewood.

 

STRENGTH COMPARISON BETWEEN PLYWOOD AND SOLID WOOD:

 

Solid wood is considered stronger compared to plywood because it is a homogeneous material. It depends on which wood we are talking about. Good quality hardwoods (get from deciduous trees such as teak are denser, heavier and stronger than softwoods such as pine or mango wood.

 

Plywood on the other hand is made of sheets glued together artificially and if the 'glue shear strength' is low, the individual layers will separate. It depends on the quality of the plywood. The best quality plywood sheets are mostly made of hardwood veneers

 

Which one looks better Plywood or Solid wood?

At this point, the solid wood again gets better marks than the plywood. For example, teak wood is very popular because of its strong and durable, but it is also beautiful with its straight wood grain shapes and its golden brown colour.

 

The faces of the regular commercial plywood available at local plywood stores are not decorative. Therefore, pasting natural wood veneers or decorative laminates on the top faces of the plywood requires extra cost and effort to enhance its beauty.

 

Which of the two is easier to care for Plywood or Solid wood?

Laminated plywood surfaces are easy to maintain because they are scratch-resistant, moisture resistant and can be wiped with a damp cloth. For best results, it is best to use a thicker laminate. Very thin laminate can be damaged and difficult to replace.

Good quality solid wood such as teak wood is water-resistant and is also good for outdoor furniture. It does not require much care, however, it darkens with age (every two years), so it is important to use sawdust and wood polish to regain its original shine and colour.

 

Which one will last longer Plywood or Solid wood?

Depending on the wood used in both cases. Good quality (waterproof quality) plywood is better than commercial MR grade (moisture resistant) plywood. Marine-grade plywood is better than both of them. The better the plywood, the longer its life will be.

The life of a solid wood depends on the type of wood used. Hardwood is stronger and more durable than softwoods such as mango or pine wood.

 

What about the cost?

Good quality solid wood is more expensive compared to plywood.

This is mainly due to high demand and low supply. The distribution of wood from forest reserves should be controlled and regulated for environmental reasons, whereas the tree coming from the plantations will take a long time to mature.

In our opinion, above all, this low supply of natural wood is the No. 1 reason for gaining a place in new engineered wood products such as particleboards (made of sawdust) and MDF (made of wood fibres). In the furniture market.

 

Comparison based on the type of furniture:

For furniture such as bookshelves and cupboard doors, plywood is not a very suitable material because it has a tendency to bend in the middle when using very long pieces. The most suitable for such cases is blockboard (which is cheaper) or solid wood.

In terms of cabinets, solid wood is considered the best choice available, followed by veneer plywood or laminated plywood. For example, the solid teak wood wardrobe is better than a teak veneer plywood, although its price is higher. (Decorative veneer plywood is one, the basic material here is plywood, on top of which is an excellent natural wood covering).

For single and double beds, the material used most often is plywood.

For doors, plywood is not the best choice, because of its tendency to bend. Considered better are solid core flush doors decked up with a decorative veneer, or solid wood doors.

For desks, chairs and dining tables, either solid wood or plywood can work equally well.

 

In conclusion, we would say that natural solid wood is better than plywood in most respects. The only major downside is that it costs much more.

Also Read: How Strong Is Plywood To Make Furniture? | Plywood Strength Comparison With Other Wood Products

Also Read: What Are The Alternatives Of Plywood | Homeslibro

Also Read: Water Proof Plywood Faqs | Guide For Your Furniture | Homeslibro