Standard plywood thickness uk: Birch Plywood UK Supply – Range of Thickness & Grades

Weather and boil proof is used for marina plywood. 

Plywood Sizes 

Plywood comes in many thicknesses generally from 3 up to 25mm. With the board size most commonly available being 2440 x 1220mm.

Building regulations for plywood 

Under Building Regulation 7. BS 5268 Part 2, Section 4, specific grades of plywood are recommended for load-bearing use. Plywoods are manufactured in different countries so they may have different standards, you should always check with the supplier that the boards you need/ want to use in specific construction meet the Building Regulation Standards for your application requirements. 

Plywood thickness | Thickness of plywood sheets

Today, the scope of plywood is very extensive. For various works and operating conditions, a certain brand, grade and thickness of plywood are suitable. Conventionally, plywood can be divided into 3 types: thin, medium and thick. Thin plywood is up to 6 mm. The average thickness of plywood sheets can be attributed from 8 to 15 mm. Thick plywood is considered to be from 18 mm and above.

Thin plywood

The thickness of this material varies from 0.4 to 6 mm. Despite the fact that such plywood cannot bear serious loads, it is an indispensable material in certain areas. Depending on the application, thin plywood can be divided into 2 groups:

Plywood got its name because of its main area of ​​application. In previous years, such material was actively used in the design of aircraft. And today, aviation plywood is a very popular material in amateur aircraft modeling. In addition, this material is often used in the manufacture of musical instruments, instrumentation and souvenirs. The obvious advantages include the high flexibility of plywood, as well as a high-quality surface. The surface roughness should not exceed 100 µm. Such plywood is produced not lower than 1-2 grades.

This plywood is available in all grades, the surface can be either sanded or unsanded. The thickness of 3 mm is used less often than others. This is due to the cost of this plywood. Due to the peculiarities of production, it often costs more than 4 mm. At the same time, 3 mm plywood has increased flexibility. Such material is used in rather highly specialized areas, for example, in the manufacture of souvenirs and various decorative products.

4mm and 6mm thickness is much more popular. It is actively used in furniture production, automotive industry, production of containers and souvenirs. In furniture production, these dimensions are often used as the bottom of drawers, as well as the back walls of cabinets and chests of drawers. It is also used to produce packaging containers for various items. For example, tool cases.

Plywood of medium thickness

Plywood sheets of 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm can be classified as medium thickness. These dimensions are actively used in construction, furniture production, automobile and carriage building, and the advertising industry. It is also often used in the manufacture of various containers, roofing. Produced in various varieties. The surface can be either polished or unpolished.

High varieties have a beautiful texture and aesthetic appearance. This is a great option for interior work, covering floor and wall surfaces. At the same time, low varieties differ only in appearance. The cost of low grades is much lower, and therefore these grades are most often used in various rough construction works.

These thicknesses are produced mainly in 2 types: grade FK and FSF.

FK plywood is intended for indoor use, because considered an environmentally friendly material.

FSF plywood can be used outdoors as is a material with high moisture resistance. At the same time, this material is not intended for indoor use, due to the use of phenol-formaldehyde glue in the manufacture of plywood.

Thick plywood

These sheets mainly include 18 mm, 20 mm, 21 mm, 24 mm, 30 mm plywood. The main feature of thick plywood is high strength characteristics. That is why it is used as load-bearing elements in the manufacture of furniture and load-bearing structures in construction, for example, when erecting formwork. There are also thicker sheets plywood up to 40 mm thick . But this size is very highly specialized. Such plywood is mainly used in interfloor ceilings, car building, and formwork.

Thick plywood is produced mainly in 3 types: FK, FSF, FOF (laminated). Laminated plywood is mainly used in the manufacture of formwork. The most common two thicknesses of laminated plywood are 18 mm and 21 mm. The basis of laminated plywood is fsf plywood, additionally covered with a film. Lamination allows to achieve high resistance to aggressive environments.

At Mosfanera you can always buy plywood wholesale and retail. All presented products meet the requirements of GOST and all products have certificates. Our managers will help you make a choice of plywood by brand, thickness, standard size and grade. If necessary, we are ready to offer you cutting plywood according to the size of the customer.

Plywood: Standard dimensions, thickness, weight

When buying plywood, it is important to focus on its dimensions. You can accurately calculate the cost of the material so as not to buy too much. The main parameters (weight, dimensions, thickness) are needed to perform calculations.

Standard dimensions of plywood sheet

Plywood dimensions are regulated by GOST. There are different standards for softwood and hardwood materials. In addition, there are regulatory documents with additional requirements. Main categories:

• Small-sized plywood: width and length are – 1220 or 1525 mm. It is in demand when finishing small areas, it is convenient because the master can handle it himself, without an assistant. It turns out more joints than when using large fragments.
• Large format. Typical dimensions of plywood sheets: width from 1830 mm (anything less refers to small-sized) to 3000 mm. The larger the finishing area, the more convenient it is to use large sheets.
• Non-standard plywood sheets. Produced in accordance with GOST 3916.1-2018. Length: from 1200 mm to 3660 mm. Material with a length of 3000 mm or more is ordered mainly for production purposes. You should think in advance about the transport for transportation.
• Moisture resistant plywood. There are 2 types: square (with a side of 1525, 1475, 1270, 1220 mm) and large format: 1830×1525, 2440×1220, 2500×1250, 3050×1525 mm.

State standards provide for a permissible deviation of dimensions from nominal up to 4 mm. Most enterprises produce a limited list of standard sizes or work according to their own specifications.

Plywood thickness

In accordance with the generally accepted classification, the following types of plywood are distinguished:

• Aviation: from 1 to 3 mm. The thinnest has a thickness of 1 mm (peeled). It is in demand in modeling, also used in the manufacture of furniture, musical instruments, packaging, souvenirs and gifts. Roughness – up to 100 microns. Grade – the first or second.
• Thin plywood FK, FSF (moisture and super moisture resistant construction). Thickness 3, 4 or 6 mm. If flexibility is a priority, the choice is unequivocal – 3 mm, in all other cases, material with a thickness of 4 or 6 mm is preferable. Scope: production of containers, souvenirs, automotive industry, furniture production.
• FK and FSK medium thickness: 8/9/10/12/15 mm. The material of the first and second grade is often used as a decorative material, the third and fourth – for rough finishing. Scope: construction and repair, mechanical engineering, manufacturing of advertising structures, roofing.
• Thick plywood: 18/20/21/24/30mm. Increased strength allows it to be used for the manufacture of load-bearing elements, frames. It is extremely rare to find material with a thickness of 40 mm (formwork, construction of wagons, as part of interfloor ceilings).

The most popular film faced plywood thicknesses are 18 and 21 mm. It differs from the building one by the presence of a lamination film, which protects the material from the destructive effects of aggressive environments.

The maximum permissible deviation of the plywood thickness from the nominal one is 2 mm. Real indicators differ and vary from 0.3 to 1.7 mm. The problem of inconsistencies between sheets at the joints is solved by using a substrate.

Application area for plywood of various thicknesses and sizes

The size of the plates affects the number of joints, the thickness affects strength, flexibility, and load capacity. In fact, this is the main parameter that is taken into account when choosing plywood. Options for using the material:

• 3 mm. Suitable for the manufacture of lightweight structures. The main area of ​​application is modeling.
• 4 mm. Used mainly as a lining. The most popular size is plywood 1525×1525 mm.
• 6 mm. Suitable plywood thickness for flooring, furniture making. Sheets 1525×1525 and 2440×1220 mm are in high demand.
• 8-10 mm. The best option for construction and renovation, including as a floor covering.
• 12-15 mm. From 9 layers provide high load capacity. Such plywood is in demand in the manufacture of furniture, storage equipment (shelves / racks) and similar structures.
• 18-30 mm. Plates are used for the construction of low-rise structures (arbors, decorative structures), as well as interfloor ceilings. This is a popular material for the manufacture of formwork for strip foundations.
• 35-40 mm. The main option for the production of countertops, auxiliary elements (for stairs and other structures). Most often, the width varies between 1220-1525 mm, length – 2440 or 3000 mm.

The minimum thickness of laminated plywood is 6 mm, the maximum is 40 mm. Slabs with a thickness of 18 and 21 mm are mainly used in the construction of strip foundations, ceilings, architectural elements such as columns and the like. Plywood with 24 mm lamination is in demand in monolithic construction (formwork is made from it), mechanical engineering (sides of trucks, trailers). Plates of 30 mm are used in the construction of dams, load-bearing elements.

Plywood sheet weight/calculations

The characteristic is required to determine the tariffs for the handling, transportation and storage of goods. Mass depends on volume and density. Weight calculation is made according to the formula: m=V (volume) * p (density). Volume, in turn, is calculated as follows: V= Length * Width * Thickness. Density is usually indicated on the packaging. Possible options:

• 600-700 kg / m3 – brands FK, FSF, laminated, as well as from birch.
• 450–550 kg/m3 – softwood.

Here is an example of how to calculate the weight of a plywood sheet. To do this, take birch plywood FSF 6 mm 2440×1220 mm.

1. Determine the sheet volume in meters:
   0.006 x 2.44 x 1.22 = 0.0178 m³
2. The number of sheets in a cube is determined by dividing one cubic meter by the volume of the sheet:
   1 / 0.017 = 56.179 (number of sheets in m³)
3. To determine the weight of a sheet, you need to divide the density by the number of sheets:
   680 / 56.179 = 12.1 kg (weight of one sheet).

Plywood weight 1525×1525

Thickness, mm	3	4	5	6	8	9	10	12	14	15	18	21	25	30
Number of sheets in m³	143. 33	107.50	86.00	71.67	53.75	47.78	43.00	35.83	30.71	28.67	23.89	20.48	17.20	14.33
kg/sheet Birch	4.7	6.3	7.9	9,5	12.7	14.2	15.8	19.0	22.1	23.7	28.5	33.2	39.5	47.4

Plywood weight 2440х1220

Thickness, mm	4	6	6.5	8	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30	35	40
Number of sheets in m³	83. 98	55.99	51.68	41.99	37.33	27.99	22.40	18.66	16.00	14.00	12.44	11.20	9.60	8.40
kg/sheet Birch	8.1	12.1	13.2	16.2	18.2	24.3	30.4	36.4	42.5	48.6	54.7	60.7	70.8	81.0
kg/sheet Needle/OSB	—	10.36	11.22	—	15.54	20.72	25.90	31.08	36.26	41.44	46.62	51.80	—	—

Plywood weight 1525×3050

Thickness, mm	4	6	6. 5	8	9	12	15	18	21	24	27	30	35	40
Number of sheets in m³	53.75	35.83	33.08	26.87	23.89	17.92	14.33	11.94	10.24	8.96	7.96	7.17	6.14	5.37
kg/sheet Birch	12.7	19.0	20.6	25.3	28.5	38.0	47.4	56.9	66.4	75.9	85.4	94.9	110.7	126.5

Conclusion

Knowing the exact parameters of plywood (length, width, thickness, weight), you can most accurately determine whether a certain type of this material is suitable for certain jobs.