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Base Term
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Synonym(s)
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Region(s)
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Notes
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|---|---|---|---|
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Oversize
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Jumbo, Big Sheet
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AU, USA
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"Jumbo" sounds casual; not always accurate. Sizes vary: AU jumbo = 2700x1200 or 3050x1525; US sizes differ.
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CD Ply
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Sheathing Ply, Structural Ply
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AU, USA
|
In AU, "CD Ply" is common, but in the USA, “Sheathing” is vaguer and may imply OSB. Watch for confusion.
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|
Formply
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Shuttering Ply
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AU, UK
|
"Formply" is often misused in DIY. Must meet AS/NZS 6669 to truly qualify. "Shuttering ply" is the UK term.
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|
Marine Ply
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Boat Ply, Waterproof Ply
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Global
|
Not all marine ply is equal — many cheap imports fail BS1088 or AS2272. Don’t trust the label blindly.
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|
Structural Ply
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CD Structural, Framing Ply
|
AU, USA
|
Needs compliance with AS2269 (AU) or APA ratings (USA). Commonly misrepresented at big box retailers.
|
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Decorative Ply
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Fancy Ply, Cabinet Ply
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AU, UK, USA
|
"Fancy ply" is trade slang.
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Laminated Ply
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Lam Ply, Laminboard, Sandwich Panel, Lamiboard
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UK, AU
|
Often refers to MDF or particleboard laminated — not real "plywood" core. Use with caution.
|
|
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)
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Microlam, Engineered Beam, Lam Beam
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USA, AU
|
“Microlam” is a brand. LVL must have structural certification. Very dense and heavy.
|
|
Tassie Oak
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Vic Ash, Mountain Ash, Plantation Oak
|
AU
|
All the same species group. Often used in plywood face veneers. Not an “oak,” marketing term only.
|
|
Stick Timber
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Framing Timber, Dimensional Lumber MGP10
|
AU, USA
|
"Stick" is slang for any lengths of structural timber (e.g., 90x45mm AU = 2x4 USA). Measurement units vary.
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|
Blue Board
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Cement Ply, Fibre Cement
|
AU
|
Not plywood at all, but often used interchangeably by renovators.
|
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Sterling Board, Strand Board, Brace board
|
UK, USA
|
OSB is less water-resistant than plywood. Sterling Board is just the UK name.
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|
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Hardboard
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Masonite, Weathertex
|
USA
|
Hardboard ≠ plywood. Made from wood fibers, not veneers. Brittle and not structural.
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Softwood Ply
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Pine Ply
|
AU, USA, UK
|
Usually Radiata (AU) or Southern Yellow Pine (USA). Use where looks don’t matter.
|
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Hardwood Ply
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Cabinet Ply, Birch Ply, HWE
|
Global
|
"Hardwood ply" isn’t always premium — often eucalyptus core with fancy faces. Void-free core is key.
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|
Green Ply, E0 Ply, Low-Fume Ply
|
AU
|
E0 and E1 refer to formaldehyde emissions, but not all “green ply” meets these levels.
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Plywood & Timber Slang — AU | UK | USA Infographic
Ply Online Admin |
