What is Exterior Plywood?
Exterior plywood is an Appearance Grade plywood of high quality. When finished appropriately, it can be used for interior-lining applications and semi-exposed external applications. Exterior plywood is manufactured from hoop pine and offers F14 stress grade (minimum working stress in bending). It has a Type A Phenolic bond quite similar to marine ply.
General Features of Exterior Plywood
Ideally, exterior plywood is used for clean, stain-free surfaces of walls and ceilings and while interior plywood cannot be used outdoors, exterior plywood is more versatile and can be used both indoors and outdoors. When ply is manufactured for the purpose of external use, waterproof glue is used between each of its layers. This glue hardens to form a crystalline substance which is resistant to moisture.
This is a prime reason why exterior plywood is a constant presence in internal applications, especially in humid, high-moisture areas. Storage area and refrigerated area are two examples out of many such applications. Exterior plywood also works great as a subfloor. Its ability to resist moisture is put to good use in case of subfloors because it does not let moisture penetrate from beneath the floor surface, and it also tackles water spilled from above.
Exterior plywood is perfectly capable of holding its own against adverse weather conditions but it is advisable to give it a coat of paint or finish if you have to expose it to direct sunlight or water. Endurapanel, a product recently introduced in the market, treats exterior plywood with an especially formulated coloured stain that keeps its surface protected. The Ariaply in particular is good for ceilings, balconies and other exposed areas.
It can also be used for many other internal applications that may include–but not restricted to–sinks, countertops and interiors of cabinets.
Other Features and Benefits
It is manufactured in compliance with Australian Standard AS/NZS 2271 and AS/NZS 2269.
It has a face grade A (the best grade), back C and an X mark which implies it is designated for exterior applications.
It has a Zero (EØ) formaldehyde emission rating
It comes in two panel sizes: 2400×1200, 2700×1200
The available thicknesses for exterior plywood are: 1.5mm, 4mm, 6.5mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm, 32mm
It is suitable for wall and ceiling linings, semi exposed soffits (ceiling connecting external wall with the roof’s outer edge) and fitouts of shops.
It is also available with B or C grade face veneers
