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Good or Evil: 14 Hints for Choosing Plywood in Australia (Infographics)

Plywood bricks with words 'Good' and Evil' on the wooden surface

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  1. Certifications & Standards: Look for Australian Standards marks (e.g., AS/NZS 2269 for structural plywood) or European Standards marks (BS1088 , EN13986). Certification means the board meets performance and safety standards.
  2. Number of Plies (Layers): More plies typically mean better strength and stability. Good-quality plywood often has 5 or more thin, evenly spread plies, depending on thickness.
  3. Uniform Thickness: Measure across different parts of the sheet. Good plywood is consistent in thickness; bad plywood may have uneven spots due to poor pressing.
  4. Smooth, Flat Surface: High-quality plywood has a smooth, even surface with minimal patches or undulations. Watch out for bumps, splits, or warping.
  5. Tight Veneer Bonding: Try pressing or tapping lightly on the surface. Hollow sounds or lifting veneers indicate weak bonding—common in cheaper plywood.
  6. Weather Resistance: For outdoor or wet-area use, good plywood should be WBP (Weather and Boil Proof) or marine grade. Substandard boards will swell or delaminate in water.
  7. Check the Core Gaps: Good plywood has minimal or no core gaps when viewed from the side. Big gaps inside weaken the sheet and cause bending or delamination.
  8. Weight vs. Strength: Quality plywood feels dense and solid. If it's unusually light for its size, it might be made with soft filler woods or low-grade cores.
  9. Face Veneer Appearance: On decorative plywood, the outer veneer should be smooth, uniform in grain, and free from knots or filler. Poor-quality sheets often have patched faces.
  10. Check for Delamination: Inspect the plywood edges and surface for signs of delamination—where the layers are peeling or separating. This is a clear indicator of poor adhesive quality or improper pressing during manufacturing.
  11. Inspect the Edge Finish: High-quality plywood has clean, well-cut edges without splintering. Rough or uneven edges may suggest inferior materials or rushed production.
  12. Test for Bending Strength: Gently try flexing the sheet. Quality plywood should be firm with slight flexibility depending on thickness, while low-grade sheets may bend excessively or crack under pressure.
  13. Smell the Sheet: Plywood made with low-quality or high-formaldehyde adhesives may emit a strong chemical smell. Good plywood, especially those rated E0 or E1 for emissions, will have little to no odour.
  14. Supplier Reputation and Traceability: Reliable plywood comes from reputable manufacturers or distributors who can provide documentation like batch numbers, technical data sheets, and origin certification. Avoid unbranded or untraceable products. Look for Certification stamps such as FSC or PEFC.
10 hints for choosing plywood in Australia Infographics
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