What is Plywood?

Plywood is one of the most versatile and widely used sheet materials in the building world — and for good reason. It's strong, stable, easy to work with, and available in a wide range of grades and finishes to suit everything from structural work to high-end joinery.

At Wood Green Timber, we stock a full range of plywood sheets in various sizes and thicknesses, all available for collection or local delivery — and we offer a cut-to-size service to make your life even easier.

Plywood Explained – What Is It Made Of?

Plywood is made by bonding together thin layers of wood veneer with the grain of each layer running at 90 degrees to the one before. This cross-layering gives plywood its strength and resistance to warping — even under load or in changing conditions.

Plywood comes in many different types depending on the wood species used, the number of layers, and the grade of adhesive — from basic general-purpose softwood sheets to high-spec marine ply designed for moisture-heavy environments.

Types of Plywood We Stock

At Wood Green Timber, we carry all the most common (and not-so-common) types of plywood. Here's what we’ve got in stock:

Softwood Plywood

A great general-purpose sheet for roofing, flooring, hoarding, and structural use. Affordable and strong, available in various thicknesses.

Hardwood Plywood

Ideal for more demanding applications like boxing in, furniture bases, or interior panelling where a cleaner finish is required.

Marine Plywood

Designed for exterior or high-moisture environments. It uses waterproof glue and high-quality veneers, making it the best choice for wet conditions like bathrooms, kitchens, or external projects.

Birch Plywood

Known for its fine grain, smooth finish, and excellent stability. A favourite for furniture making, cabinetry, and CNC cutting.

Flexible Plywood

Perfect for curved work — arches, counters, curved cabinetry — where standard sheets won’t bend to shape.

Fire-Rated Plywood (Available to Order)

Fire-resistant plywood sheets, compliant with building regs, available on request — typically within 2–3 working days.

What Can Plywood Be Used For?

Plywood is genuinely one of the most adaptable materials out there. Here’s where it gets used most:

• Roof and floor decking in construction

• Wall linings, boxing in and partitions

• Shelving, storage, and furniture frameworks

• Decorative joinery and cabinetry (especially birch)

• Shopfitting and signage

• External applications (marine ply, when sealed properly)

• Curved projects using flexible plywood

If you need it cut to size, we’ve got you covered. Just send us your cutting list and we’ll get it sorted — same day or next day in most cases.

Choosing the Right Plywood for Your Project

Not sure which type of plywood you need? Here’s a quick guide:

• For general structural use → Softwood ply

• For a cleaner finish or internal joinery → Hardwood ply

• For curved work → Flexible ply

• For high moisture areas or outdoors → Marine ply

• For premium furniture or CNC work → Birch ply

Still unsure? Just give us a call or visit one of our branches. Our team knows plywood inside out and we’re happy to help you choose the right sheet for the job.

Ready to Order?

We’ve been supplying plywood across North London and Hertfordshire since 1981, with friendly service, fast turnaround and excellent stock levels. Whether you’re a seasoned builder or tackling a one-off DIY project, we’ve got what you need — in stock, cut to size, and ready to go.

Pop in, give us a call, or place your order online for next-day delivery or Click & Collect. We’ll take care of the rest.