What is Ash plywood?

What is plywood?

Plywood (also known as veneer plies) may sound like a fairly new concept, but the first use of layered wood dates back to 1500 B.C. in Egypt. However, the first standardized plywood panels as we know them today were introduced in the United States only in 1928.

Plywood consists of thin sheets of wood (also called wood veneer) and an adhesive. The layered sheets and adhesive are compressed to fully bond and produce the final product. Plywood is used in construction for its strength and durability, and in furniture manufacturing for its versatility.

What is ash plywood?

The ash tree used for plywood provides a beautiful wood with sufficient strength, shock resistance and density. The grain is usually smooth and tight, making it the best plywood for decorative purposes. As for color, ash plywood is usually light brown throughout the heartwood section and light beige to light brown in the sapwood area. Depending on the individual parts and grades, ash hardwood plywood can sometimes be obtained without a clear demarcation line to show the difference between heartwood and sapwood.

The working properties of ash plywood are very good. This forestry product has sufficient strength and stiffness, but is relatively light and flexible. Ash plywood is suitable for projects that require bending and/or gluing. It holds nails and screws well and absorbs stains and polishes easily.

Ash plywood is often compared to oak in appearance, thanks to its open grain and relatively rough texture. It is available in a variety of grades, finishes and thicknesses to meet the needs of hobbyists, furniture makers and cabinet factory stores, among others.

Since ash plywood is not naturally resistant to decay, you will need to use a quality protective finish.

How sustainable is plywood?

The sustainability of plywood depends not only on the source of the wood, but also on the manufacturing process. Compared to traditional wood practices, there is much less waste of wood in the plywood manufacturing process. Choose FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified plywood to ensure ethical manufacturing and to ensure that the plywood is free of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has always been used in adhesives, but its use has been significantly reduced since 1979.

One of the many advantages of plywood is its affordability, which makes it not only an ethical choice, but also a budget-friendly one.

Plywood can be made from hardwoods, softwoods, bamboo or a combination of different woods. Best practice is to choose plywood that is sourced from local, sustainably managed forests and produced locally.

Ash plywood is a high-quality technical plywood used in a variety of industrial and engineering applications, as well as in the manufacture of decorative furniture and shopfitting installations.

Please contact us if you would like more information about the various types of plywood available.