Teak plywood is a great material for different kinds of projects such as shipbuilding or furniture making. It is great for outdoor use as it is resistant to damage and decay caused by various weather elements.
Teak plywood is made by gluing together 3 or more teak veneers. Teak plywood is also strong and durable, but it is more expensive than teak veneer.
This article will explain what teak plywood is and its difference from teak veneer. We will also talk about where teak plywood is used and some of the different types of plywood.
What Is Teak Plywood?
Teak plywood comes from the Teak tree which is native to countries in South and Southeast Asia such as India, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. Teak has many properties that make it a popular material for woodworkers.
While teak is a good material for indoor use, a lot of teak furniture is designed specifically for outdoor spaces. Teak wood has natural oils and rubber, making it resistant to water damage, rotting, and decaying. Teak is heavy hardwood and has a lot of use aside from being used in furniture making.
Teak plywood is a type of hardwood plywood and it has a rich golden brown color and a straight grain pattern. Teak plywood is made by layering teak veneers on top of each other. The layers are bonded together by using melamine formaldehyde resin. This bond makes the teak plywood shiny and stain-free.
Teak Plywood Vs Teak Veneer
Veneers are thin slices of wood that are typically less than 3 mm (1/8 thick) while plywood is made up of three or more layers of wood veneers. These veneers, or plywood layers, are glued together to make wood panels.
Teak veneers are usually glued to a surface such as walls, furniture, floors, or ceilings. Teak plywood is also used for pieces of furniture such as cabinets and shelves, and floorings. Teak plywood is made by gluing together 3 or more layers of teak veneers.
A teak tree is logged and it is shaved to thin slices that are 1/8 or 1/16 inches thick. Since teak plywood is made with several layers of teak veneer, teak plywood is more stronger and durable. However, when it comes to design options, teak veneer has a wider range and it is also more affordable than teak plywood.
Where Is Teak Plywood Used
As we said earlier, teak is a popular choice among woodworkers. Teak wood is most commonly used to make outdoor furniture because of its natural oils. This makes teak resistant to damage, especially when faced with harsh outdoor elements.
Teak plywood also has a lot of uses. Teak plywood is used to make furniture such as cabinets, dressers, console tables, and shelving. Aside from furniture, teak ply is also used in shipbuilding, decking, floorings, and panelings.
How Is Plywood Made?
Plywood has at least three or more layers of veneer. The outer layers of plywood are called the face and the back. The center layers of plywood are called the center. Selecting the face veneer is important as it is typically selected because of its decorative qualities and it is the one that is always seen. Teak plywood typically uses tropical hardwoods for its core veneers because they are strong and cost-effective.
The face of the plywood is what is seen and used while the back is the one not being used and is usually glued to a surface. The center layer of plywood is the core and if there are more than three layers of veneer, these layers are called cross-bands.
A plywood manufacturer follows a typical sequence when manufacturing plywood:
Cutting The Trees
Plywood companies usually have areas that they own where the trees that are being sourced are planted. These companies carefully select the trees that are ready to be cut down to be made into plywood. For plywood, trees that are cut down are typically smaller in diameter than trees that are used for lumber.
Log Preparation
Once the marked trees are cut down, the logs are brought to a debarking machine which removes the logs’ barks. Once the barks have been removed, the logs undergo a peeling or slicing process. This cuts the log down into sections and to appropriate lengths in preparation for the next step.
Veneer Drying And Grading
Once the logs are cut into sections, they are heated and soaked to make the wood soft for the veneer. The sections are then arranged and sorted according to their grade. The veneer grading system is based on the wood’s appearance after it has been dried.
Some companies dry the veneers manually while other companies have an automated system that stacks the veneers according to grade. Once the veneers are stacked and graded, they are then dried to remove moisture and for the veneers to shrink.
Gluing
Once the veneers have finished drying, the plywood is ready to be made. Three or more layers are stacked to make the plywood. In the case of teak plywood, multiple layers are involved, especially when used for heavy-duty projects such as shipbuilding.
Plywood typically has a three-ply sheet but some plywoods do have more than 3 layers. A glue is applied in between the layers and the stacked veneers are fed into a multi-opening hot press to stick the layers together. The core layers are typically made from tropical hardwood as teak’s natural oils and silica are tough on cutting the edges of the wood.
Finishing
Once the plywood has been formed, it is then sanded and finished to have a smooth, shiny surface. The wood finish that companies will use will depend on the kind of wood they used to make the plywood.
How To Care For Teak Plywood
Teak plywood is typically used for indoor furniture such as cabinets, dressers, and shelvings so it can be easy to care for teak plywood than you think.
For teak plywood furniture, dusting the surface frequently will keep it clean. Using a soft rag or a microfiber cloth will ensure that you won’t scratch the surface of the plywood.
If there are any stains on your teak furniture, you can clean it with a wood cleaning solution. You can also mix distilled white vinegar with water to remove the stain.
To prevent stains from permanently marking the teak plywood, make sure to clean it immediately so that it does not soak into the wood. You also want to avoid placing glasses filled with hot or cold liquid as the condensation from the glass can result in watermarks. These marks can be hard to remove if not cleaned right away.
Scratches on teak plywood are a lot trickier to remove. Using sandpaper to sand down the scratch can be effective if the scratch has not been there for too long. To prevent scratches on teak plywood furniture, use table mats or coasters to protect its surface.
Other Types Of Plywood
Teak plywood is not the only type of plywood there is. In fact, teak plywood is a type of hardwood plywood. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of plywood. Plywood has a standard thickness of 1 ¼, 1 1/8, ¾, 5/8, ½, 3/8, ¼, and 1/8 inches.
Hardwood Plywood
Hardwood plywood is typically made of hardwoods such as Red Oak, Birch, Walnut, and Teak. Hardwood plywood is typically used to make furniture and musical instruments.
Softwood Plywood
Softwood plywood sheets are typically made of softwoods such as Cedar, Redwood, and Pine. While these types of plywood are made with soft woods, this does not mean that they are not as strong as other types of plywood. These types of plywood are commonly used in building sheds, sub-floorings, and roof sheathings.
Marine Plywood
These types of plywood are not waterproof as you might think. Marine plywood is bonded together using water-resistant exterior glue.
Marine-grade plywood, such as teak marine plywood, is commonly used outdoors as it is rot and mildew-resistant. These types of plywood are also usually used for marine decking, planks, and hoverboards.
Shipping Cost Of Teak Plywood
Teak also has a high price point as it is not native to the U.S. This can make shipping costs higher than other kinds of plywood. If you are planning on getting teak plywood, try and call the phone of your local plywood company to check for their prices. You can also check if they have a stock of plywood or if they can ship it to where you live. You can also ask the store about another service they have for your project.
Wrap Up
Teak plywood is made up of multiple layers of teak veneer. It is a hardwood plywood that is strong and durable and is used in different projects such as furniture making and shipbuilding.
If you are eager to get started on your woodworking project with teak plywood, teak veneer, or lumber, check out our article Where to Buy Teak Lumber. If you have any questions, let us know via the comment section on our website!
