Today, we have many choices of plywood materials, so it is difficult for us to choose one among them, and it is very confusing. Often, a question comes to our mind: which plywood is better for our use?
Among the many types of plywood, maple and birch plywood are famous and widely used for home and outdoor furniture. So, in this blog, we will compare maple and birch plywood and know which plywood is better for you.
Both maple and birch plywood are durable materials, but there are some differences between them in terms of their properties and characteristics.
Maple plywood is generally considered harder and denser compared to birch plywood. This can make maple plywood slightly more resistant to dents and impacts.
What is Maple Plywood?
Maple plywood is a type of hardwood plywood made from maple wood veneers. All layers or veneers are glued together with their grains running at right angles to each other. This cross-grain construction enhances the strength and stability of the material. Maple wood is known for its fine grain, darker reddish-brown color, and smooth texture.
Maple plywood is commonly used in various woodworking projects, furniture making, cabinetry, and other applications where a durable and aesthetically pleasing wood material is desired.
What is Birch Plywood?
Birch plywood is a hardwood plywood made of thin layers or veneer of birch wood. All layers are glued perpendicular to each other. Birch plywood is known for its panel strength, grain texture, and durability.
Birch wood comes from birch trees, which are deciduous hardwood trees belonging to the genus Betula. It is native to temperate climates in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Birch plywood is widely used for cabinets, furniture, and flooring..
Choosing Between Birch and Maple Plywood for Cabinets
Based on my experience, both Maple and birch plywood are excellent choices for making cabinets because both these plywoods are very durable, stable, and moisture resistant.
But if we talk about scratch and dent resistance, maple plywood wins over birch plywood because Maple is harder and denser than birch.
Price: Maple vs Birch Plywood
Birch plywood may be more budget-friendly; on the other hand, maple plywood can be slightly more expensive, but prices can vary based on grade and region.
Appearance
Birch plywood is usually light in color with a fine, uniform grain, and maple plywood comes in a variety of colors, from light to medium, with a distinctive grain pattern.
Working Experience
Working with Maple and birch plywood is fun and easy to work with hand and machine tools. You need the right and sharp tools to work with plywood sheets, as fuzzy surfaces are often a problem when cutting plywood with dull blades.
Pros and Cons of Maple plywood
Pros
- Maple plywood is very durable and strong.
- It is less prone to dents and scratches.
- Maple plywood is readily available.
- Maple plywood is known for its appealing
- Maple takes stain and finish well
- Easy to work
Cons
- Expensive than most plywood.
- Maple plywood is not very weather resistant.
Pros and Cons of Birch Plywood
Pros
- Birch plywood typically popular for its light color with a fine
- Birch hardwood plywood is durable and resistant to wear and damage.
- It is versatile and widely used for indoor furniture.
- Birch plywood is often more budget-friendly compared to some other hardwood plywood types.
Cons
- Birch plywood is prone to warping and bending over time.
- Birchwood is not rot-resistant
- It’s not ideal choice for outdoor
