Technology in the Mearns

Sheet material used in construction projects comes in a wide variety of forms. Plywood is a very common, strong and relatively inexpensive way to cover large flat surfaces. Layers of wood (veneers) are glued together with the grain of adjacent layers being at 90 degrees to the next. This adds to the strength of the sheet.

Sheets come in sizes of 2440x1220 mm which is close to 8feet by 4 feet and 3050x1525 mm which is close to 10 feet by 5 feet. You will have to buy entire sheets of material and therefore might best group together with someone else to share a sheet. Use the planner sheet to help map out what you need.

Plywood hardwood exterior WBP 2440 x 1220 mm
mm	price each
4	£7.40
6	£9.80
9	£14.00
12	£18.40
15	£22.60
18	£27.40
25	£36.70


Exterior WBP 3050 x 1525 mm
mm	price each
12	£40.00
18	£54.90


Marine grade 2400 x 1220 mm
mm	price each
6	£16.40
9	£20.70
12	£26.10
18	£42.50
25	£52.20


Plywood softwood sheaving grade 2400 x 1220 mm
mm	price each
9.5	£10.80
12.5	£14.10
18.5	£20.40


Birch plywood 2440 x 1220 mm
mm	price each
4	£14.60
6	£17.10
9	£19.50
12	£24.60
15	£28.30
18	£35.20
Veneered plywood 2440 x 1220 mm 4mm thick
Sapele	£12.70
Oak	£14.70
Ash	£13.80
Pine	£17.90

Exterior plywood comes with different grades of surface finish. When hardwood is specified that the outer layer (veneer) has been made using a hardwood (as opposed to coniferous softwood). However the actual hardwood used is unspecified.

WBP stansd for Water and Boil proof which means that the board will withstand wet conditions. In reality continued exposure to water will make the board split in time.

Marine grade plywood is the same as above except that it will withstand salt water conditions for longer.

Softwood sheaving grade means that the outer layer is made of softwood (unspecified) and is generally of a lower quality.

Birch plywood is also a hadwood faced plywood. This time the outer layer is specified as birch.

Veneered plywood has a decorative thin slice of wood on the surface. Note this is quite thin (4mm) and is used for providing a low cost high quality looking flat surface for large areas.