Import Plywood
Select A Species To Learn More & Order
Beech Plywood, European: Steamed
General Characteristics:
European Beech grows in the U.K., Europe, and Western Asia. It contains very little white sapwood with the majority being a pale pinkish heartwood. European Beech is also hard, stiff, and brittle with a straight closed grain. Most European Beech sold in the U.S. is steamed to darken the color of the wood. It is most commonly sold as an Alder substitute due to its similar color.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm A-2
- 12 mm A-2
- 18 mm A-1
- Plain-Sliced, Veneer Core
Bending Plywood (Meranti & Poplar)
General Characteristics:
The bending Meranti or Poplar panels are a strong underlayment substrate constructed of three flexible plies. These panels will bend parallel to the grain to a shape as small as 18″ in diameter. They are an ideal bending substrate for veneer and laminate when the project includes contours.
Availability:
- 3 mm Bending Poplar 4×8 (Column) & 8×4 (Barrel)
- 9 mm Bending Meranti 4×8 (Column) & 8×4 (Barrel)
- Veneer Core
Birch Plywood, Chinese: White, Natural & Red
General Characteristics:
Birch plywood from China often tries to follow domestic face and back grade rules. The core is a Chinese Poplar that is less stable than domestic plywood, although the Chinese are getting better at machine drying the core and holding the tolerances. The face and back veneers of the Birch are usually cut from Russian logs and the panels are available with Rotary Cut Whole Piece Faces and Backs. The core will contain more plies than the typical domestic plywood. These panels are available with Moisture Resistant (MR) glue. Natural Birch panels are being used for painted applications and White Birch panels for stained applications. Most of these products are being used in the construction of residential cabinets, store fixtures, closets, entertainment centers, and other furniture applications.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm B-4 & C-2
- 12 mm C-2
- 15 mm C-2
- 18 mm B-2, C-2 & D-2
- Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face, Veneer Core
- Poplar & Eucalyptus Core Species
Birch Plywood, Chinese: White, Pre-Finished
General Characteristics:
White Chinese Birch panels are available pre-finished with a durable, clear U.V. coating in both 1-side and 2-side configurations. These panels are a great time-saving alternative for your project by taking the finishing step out of the process.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm C-2 UV1S
- 12 mm C-2 UV1S & UV2S
- 15 mm C-2 UV1S & UV2S
- 18 mm C-2 UV1S & UV2S
- Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face, Veneer Core
- Poplar & Eucalyptus Core Species
Birch Plywood, Russian (Baltic)
General Characteristics:
Russian Birch is white, has a more open grain than domestic Birch, and is slightly less dense than domestic Birch. This multi-layer panel has excellent strength and stability and each layer of the core is the same species with minimal to no core voids. Russian manufacturers produce this panel in 5′ x 5′ dimensions, but it is available in 4′ x 8′ by special order. This panel is produced with moisture-resistant (MR) glue. Russian Birch is commonly used in the construction of drawer boxes and commercial fixtures. This multi-layer core produces an attractive edge without having to edge-band the finished product.
Availability:
- 3 mm 5×5 B/BB Grade
- 6 mm 5×5 B/BB Grade
- 9 mm 5×5 B/BB Grade
- 12 mm 5×5 & 4×8 B/BB & BB/BB Grades
- 15 mm 5×5 B/BB, BB/BB & BB/CP Grades
- 18 mm 5×5 & 4×8 B/BB, BB/BB & BB/CP Grades
- 25 mm 4×8 B/BB & BB/BB Grades
Birch Plywood, White: TigerLITE & TigerPLY
General Characteristics:
TigerLITE is an ultra-lightweight Birch face and back veneer panel constructed with a 9 ply Plantation Kiri core. 46 lbs. per 18mm panel. TigerPLY is a Birch face and back veneer panel constructed with a 9 ply machine-composed Poplar core with 2 step calibration.
Availability:
- 12 mm C-2 TigerLITE
- 18 mm C-2 TigerLITE
- 18 mm C-2 TigerPLY
Birch Plywood, White: TigerLITE Edge Core
General Characteristics:
TigerPLY Edge Core was specifically developed for “exposed edge” applications such as drawer sides. The core is virtually void-free with no overlapping, producing an attractive exposed edge.
Availability:
- 12 mm C-2
- 18 mm C-2
Cherry Plywood
General Characteristics:
These panels are laid up with domestic Cherry face and back veneers with import core veneers in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Cherry panels.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm B-2
- 12 mm B-2
- 18 mm A-1 and B-2
- Plain-Sliced, Veneer Core
- Poplar & Eucalyptus Core Species
Eucalyptus Plywood
General Characteristics:
Eucalyptus panels are certified to meet the demands of the modern wood industry while also being competitively priced in the market. These panels are lightweight, flat, and strong. Eucalyptus plywood is an excellent choice for a laminating substrate.
Availability:
- 12 mm B-C
- 15 mm B-C
- 18 mm B-C
- Veneer Core – the available grade panel is 100% Eucalyptus core with Pine face and back veneers
Faveria (White Virola) Plywood
General Characteristics:
Virola is a species from South America that has an open grain similar to Meranti plywood but varies in color from light to dark or with dark streaks. Faveria is a White Virola that does not vary in color like the Virola. Both are tropical hardwoods that are fairly stable, with the core also constructed of tropical hardwoods. Most Virola and Faveria panels have Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face veneers with Whole Piece or Spliced backs. Both of these products are available with Moisture Resistant glue. These panels are also used in the construction of cabinet boxes. They are also a great substitute for Meranti plywood. Since they do have tropical hardwood cores that are machine-dried, they are relatively stable.
Availability:
Special Order only
Hickory Plywood
General Characteristics:
These panels are laid up with domestic Hickory face and back veneers with import core veneers in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Hickory panels.
Availability:
- 12 mm B-2
- 18 mm B-2
- Plain-Sliced, Veneer Core
Mahogany Plywood, African (Khaya)
General Characteristics:
African Mahogany is also known as Khaya and grows in Africa. The color varies from a light to a dark reddish-brown, making it a great substitute for Honduras Mahogany. The grain is interlocked to straight, usually producing a “ribbon” appearance. The workability is great with excellent finishing properties.
Availability:
- 1/4″ A-4 and B-4
- 1/2″ A-1 and B-2
- 3/4″ A-1, A-4, and B-2
- 3/4″ 4×10 A-4
- Plain Sliced Faces
- Veneer Core and MDF Core
Maple Plywood, White
General Characteristics:
These panels are laid up with domestic Maple face and back veneers with import core veneers in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Maple panels.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm B-2
- 12 mm B-2 & C-2 (Raw & UV1S)
- 18 mm B-2 & C-2 (Raw, UV1S & UV2S)
- Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face, Veneer Core
Meranti Plywood
General Characteristics:
Meranti has an open grain similar to Mahogany. It is brownish/pink in color with a Meranti or Tropical Hardwood core. Meranti is a product of Malaysia or Indonesia. These panels are usually Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face with a Whole Piece, or Spliced back. Meranti is one of the most stable of import panels. Availability of this product varies due to logging restrictions or lack of logs in these two countries, driving the cost up. Meranti is available with Moisture Resistant or Exterior glue. Meranti is used as the substrate for countertops or plastic laminate cabinets when a veneer product is specified. It is also used in the construction of cabinet boxes, soffits of homes, and patterns. Meranti is one of the original substitutes for domestic plywood.
Availability:
- 2.7 mm Overlay & Better Grade
- 5.2 mm Overlay & Better, BB/CC & PBB/CC Grades
- 9 mm BB/CC Grade
- 12 mm BB/CC Grade
- 18 mm BB/CC Grade
- Veneer Core
Oak Plywood, Red
General Characteristics:
These panels are laid up with domestic Red Oak face and back veneers with import core veneers in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Red Oak panels.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm A-3, B-2, B-4 & FD/Pass Grades
- 12 mm B-2 & C-2 Grades
- 18 mm B-2 & C-2 Grades
- Rotary Cut, Whole Piece & Plain Sliced Faces, Veneer Core
Obeche (Ayous) Plywood
General Characteristics:
Obeche is commonly known as Ayous and grows in West Africa. It has an interlocked grain with a fine texture and white to pale yellow color. Obeche is a great option for the boxes of cabinets that will be faced with light-colored hardwood. It is also light in weight and somewhat soft. Machining and finishing properties are good.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm BB/CC
- 12 mm BB/CC
- 18 mm BB/CC
- Veneer Core
Okoume Plywood
General Characteristics:
Okoume is pink in color on the face and back. Face veneers are usually Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face. The core is a Chinese Poplar that typically has more layers than other imports. For instance, an 18mm panel will have 13 plies versus a 7 or 9 ply product from other countries. Having a Poplar core makes this product less stable than a tropical hardwood core. Okoume is available with Moisture Resistant glue or Marine glue. Okoume is most commonly used in the construction of cabinet boxes. Okoume is a good substitute for Meranti, Virola, or Faveria plywood. The cost of Okoume makes this product more attractive than other import plywood.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm BB/CC
- 12 mm BB/CC
- 15 mm BB/CC
- 18 mm BB/CC
- Veneer Core
Pine Plywood, Radiata
General Characteristics:
Import Pine plywood can be a Radiata Pine, Elliotis Pine, Pirana Pine, or other tropical Pine species. Import Pine is similar in color to our domestic Southern Yellow Pine with a more closed grain. Import Pine does not produce as much sap as our domestic Pine. Import Pine sands to a smooth finish, but has stability flaws like domestic Pine. Most import Pine is imported from South America or Chile. Import Pine plywood is used in the construction of painted cabinets and furniture pieces. It is utilized where it is not visibly seen, for reinforcement of the cabinet box. Import Pine panels are also used in the upholstered furniture industry.
Availability:
- 6 mm A-C
- 11/32″ Beaded 2″ OC
- 9 mm A-C
- 12 mm A-C
- 15 mm A-C
- 18 mm A-C
- Veneer Core
Poplar Plywood: White & Natural
General Characteristics:
The veneers for these panels are peeled, dried, and laid up in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Poplar panels.
Availability:
- 5.2 mm BB/CC
- 12 mm BB/CC
- 18 mm BB/CC
- Veneer Core
European Poplar Core Panels: Raw and UV Finished
General Characteristics:
Available with White Maple, Natural Maple, White Birch, and White Poplar Faces. This Italian Poplar core panel is superior to Domestic Poplar Core Panels when you are comparing panel weights and consistency from panel to panel. Considering the vast price and availability challenges in Russian Birch, This Italian panel is considered a quality alternative to Russian Birch. The Calibrated core is virtually void-free and is available in sizes that are ½” oversize. Italian Poplar Core panels are approximately 20% lighter than domestic poplar core panels that are produced with domestic thickness specs.
Availability:
- ¼” C-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ¼” B-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ½” C-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ½” B-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ¾” C-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ¾” B-2 (4×8 Raw, UV1S, & UV2S)
- ¾” C-2 4×10
- ¾” B-2 4×10
**For underlayment, 10’ x 5’ panels are also available
Sande Plywood
General Characteristics:
Sande grows in Central America and is used as an alternative to Meranti or Virola. The color is pale to brown with straight to interlocked grain. The coarse texture of this wood is difficult to finish but it machines excellently.
Availability:
Special Order only.
Sapele Plywood
General Characteristics:
Sapele grows in Africa and is most commonly used as a Honduras Mahogany substitute. The color is medium to dark reddish-brown that has a well-defined ribbon stripe. The grain is straight, sometimes wavy, and fine-textured. Sapele has excellent finishing and machining properties.
Availability:
- 1/4″ A-4 and B-1
- 1/2″ A-1
- 3/4″ A-2
- 3/4″ A-4 and 5×8
- Plain Sliced and Quarter Sawn Faces
- Veneer Core
Teak Plywood
General Characteristics:
Teak is grown in Burma, Southeast Asia, and India. It has a rich, golden-brown color that is sometimes wavy. Teak is heavy and dense with a coarse texture, making it difficult to machine and finish. Teak is most commonly used in the manufacturing of outdoor furniture and wooden boats or boat parts. Teak has natural oils that make it the best choice for exterior millwork projects. Teak grows in a limited area of the countries listed above, causing low availability and high costs.
Availability:
Special Order only.
Walnut Plywood
General Characteristics:
These panels are laid up with domestic Walnut face and back veneers with import core veneers in overseas mills. The panels offer an economical option in relation to domestically produced Walnut panels.
Availability:
- 18 mm A-1
- Plain-Sliced, Veneer Core