Why can plywood be used indoors?

Plywood has been widely used as a finishing material. Plywood sheets are successfully used for exterior and interior decoration of residential premises, sheds, garages, summer cottages, construction of formwork. Plywood is made from different types of wood, but it has several advantages over it. It is not affected by mold and fungus, lighter, has excellent sound-absorbing properties, keeps heat, easy to install, has a smooth surface, made from environmentally friendly materials and, at the same time, inexpensive worth it. Quality plywood can last a long time.

But plywood also has disadvantages, the main of which is a possible health hazard. Many people are aware of the harmful effects of plywood on humans and are wary of buying it for home decoration. Such concerns have a foundation. Of course, plywood made from wood itself cannot be harmful. The danger lies in the adhesives that are used in the production for gluing plywood layers.

Types of plywood for glue composition

Five types of plywood are distinguished depending on the type of glue:

• FSF - sheets are glued with phenolic resin. It can be used both indoors and outdoors, taking into account the additional marking by the resin content;
• FB - is treated with bakelite varnish, then glued. It is plywood for humid and aggressive environments, sea water and tropics;
• FC - glued with urea resin. Such material is suitable for interior finishing of buildings;
• FBA - Albuminocasein glue is used. It is an environmentally friendly product.
• FOF - laminated plywood. This is birch plywood impregnated with synthetic phenol-formaldehyde resin. On two or one side it is covered with a film.

Plywood can be hazardous to health if it uses glue based on phenol, resorcinol or formaldehyde. Although there are acceptable standards for phenol emission during operation, over time a large dose may accumulate. Especially if plywood is covered with a significant area. Therefore, it is better to use such plywood for exterior decoration and in non-residential premises.

The use of plywood based on phenol-formaldehyde adhesives can cause symptoms of poisoning in humans: nausea, vomiting, headache. It’s dangerous for a long time in rooms finished with such plywood!

Interior plywood

Experts call the FB, FC and FBA brands safe for indoor use. Their impregnation does not adversely affect people's health. These types of plywood can be used for various needs:

• Installation of partitions;
• Production of interior doors;
• Furniture assembly;
• Interior decoration;
• Finishing window sills, slopes;
• Flooring of rough and finish floors.

Types of plywood for wood

Plywood also varies in the type of wood from which it is made. There are birch, coniferous and combined plywood. Of these, the most durable and durable is birch. For interior decoration indoors, it is preferable to use it.

Coniferous is lighter in weight, cheaper, but impregnated with phenol-formaldehyde resins. It is used mainly in non-residential premises, where a person is not constantly.

Combined plywood combines the properties of birch and coniferous. Also affordable. But when choosing, you need to look at what glue was used to impregnate the layers. If urea or casein, then such plywood will be the best option for decoration of premises.