What actually defines a plywood type?
A plywood type is the core species plus the face veneer grade (A to D) plus the bond or exposure class (EN 636-1/2/3, or MR versus WBP). Read those three together. The name on the label is not enough on its own.
What are the 3 types of plywood by ply count?
3-ply, 5-ply, and multi-ply. 3-ply is the thin, common board for light indoor work such as drawer bottoms; 5-ply is a middle-weight interior board; multi-ply has seven or more veneers for structural strength in roofing and framing.
What are the plywood grades A, B, C and D?
They grade the face veneer. A is smoothest and near knot-free; D is roughest with open defects. A and B suit visible, paint-ready surfaces; C and D suit hidden structural work. Panels are often labelled with two faces, such as B/C. An X, as in CDX, signals an exterior-capable bond rather than a separate grade.
Is marine plywood waterproof?
No. Marine plywood is defined by a void-free hardwood core and a durable WBP (weather and boil proof) bond, typically to a BS 1088-style standard. That resists delamination under repeated wetting far better than ordinary board, but plywood is water-resistant, not waterproof, and still needs sealing for full outdoor service.
What does melamine mean on a plywood spec?
It can mean three different things: the core glue resin (melamine-urea-formaldehyde, an EN 636-2 bond), a decorative face film pressed onto interior panels, or the pre-printed melamine laminate on cabinet carcasses. Ask which one is meant. The glue-class meaning and the decorative-surface meaning are not interchangeable.
Which Vinawood formwork panels are phenolic Class 3?
Only Pro Form and HDO use a phenolic EN 636-3 (Class 3) bond. Form Basic and Form Extra use MUF at EN 636-2. For emissions, specify CARB Phase 2 and EPA TSCA Title VI in the United States, or E1 under EN 13986 in Europe. MatteFace is a matte phenolic film formwork panel — buyers often search for it as MDO formwork plywood — not kraft-paper overlay or paint-grade signage.
