QUALITY UNCOMPROMISED

How sustainably-sourced plywood is changing kitchen design

Plywood is used in many interior applications that need a high-quality, high-strength sheet material. Quality in this context means resistance to cracking, breaking, shrinkage, twisting, and warping — all important when building a kitchen. For a decorative surface, plywood cabinets can be faced with hardwood, including birch, oak, maple, ash, mahogany, teak, and many other hardwoods.

Plywood for kitchen use generally uses marine-grade plywood designed to withstand moisture. It uses a water-resistant phenol-formaldehyde glue to prevent delamination and retain strength in high humidity. Cabinet-grade plywood is generally made from hardwood with the inherent properties of the source wood providing the colour and pattern. Birch and ash are often used and have a beautiful light colour. The options for cabinet doors are endless: from plain contemporary and cottage panels to decorative dewe choose to work with Canadian Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified plywood to guarantee ethical manufacturing and ensure the plywood is formaldehyde-free.

One of the many great aspects of plywood is its affordability, making it an ethical and budget-friendly option. There are several certifications available to manufacturers who participate in these programs. Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), FSC, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Greenguard are all certification programs that ensure that production and construction practices are sustainable. Many of these programs offer tax benefits to the manufacturer and, ultimately, the end user.

signs. Choose to keep the wood aesthetic or add a paint finish to suit the kitchen style.

The adhesives used in plywood have become a point of concern for homeowners and environmentally conscious buildings. As a result, many manufacturers are turning to low formaldehyde-emitting glue systems, denoted by an “E” rating. Plywood produced to “E0” has effectively zero formaldehyde emissions. In addition to the glues being brought to the forefront, the wood resources themselves are becoming the focus of manufacturers, due in part to energy conservation and concern for natural resources.

The sustainability of plywood is determined by how the wood is being sourced and the manufacturing process. The wood wastage of the plywood manufacturing process is significantly less than traditional lumber practices, and