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Looking for an elegant yet less expensive alternative to wood for your modular kitchen? Your search ends right here. Plywood is the best material that you can use to dress up your cooking space and take it to the next level
What Exactly Is Plywood And What Are Its Benefits?
Plywood is an engineered material that is made under high pressure by glueing together several thin layers of wood (or veneers) with a resin. This results in the creation of a single thick, flexible, uniform board/flat sheet. The veneers can be obtained from different kinds of good quality wood like neem, birch and teak and are often selected in odd-numbered batches (~3/5/7 sheets).
It is considered as the most sought-after material for modular kitchens in urban homes and apartments (mostly for cabinets) because:
- It is comparatively cheaper than solid wood but retains its natural beauty and high quality. However, it is costlier than MDF. Check out the difference between MDF and plywood here.
- It is versatile as it is available in multiple thicknesses, finishes, grades and types with add-on laminates and wood veneer.
- It is eco-friendly and convenient to use as it can be recycled, so there is minimum wastage.
- It is heat- and moisture-resistant and is also able to withstand heavy load and friction.
- It is durable, flexible and long-lasting as it is strong and does not shrink or crack easily in varying temperatures.
Which Plywood Is Best For Modular Kitchen In India?
While this question seems too basic, it is still an important one since the type of kitchen plywood designs you choose depends upon multiple factors like weight, colour, temperatures and associated air conditions it is exposed to, etc.
Here are some of the most popular plywood types for modular kitchens available in the market today:
- Commercial/Moisture-Resistant Plywood: It is cheaper than BWP and BWR plywood; durable, fungus-resistant, impact-resistant, moisture-resistant but not waterproof; ideally can be used in kitchen cabinets that are far away from any water sources.
- Boiling Waterproof (BWP) Plywood: It can withstand exposure to water for longer periods and at varying temperatures; is of high quality, more expensive than commercial plywood and BWR plywood. This is the best plywood for modular kitchens.
- Boiling Water Resistant (BWR) Plywood: It is resistant to steam and water; is of high quality, more expensive than commercial plywood, sturdy but of a lower grade than BWP.
- Laminated Plywood: Laminated plywood for modular kitchens is basically plywood that has a laminate film applied to either one or both the sides of the raw plywood substrate; chemical-resistant, moisture and water-resistant, long-lasting and durable; laminates for plywood are available in different designs and colours.
- Firewall/Fire Retardant Plywood: It is non-leachable, has a low rate of burning and so delays the fire to spread, and provides more safety.
- Marine-Grade Plywood: It is the most superior grade of plywood; water-resistant and water-proof.
- Softwood Ply: It is weaker, softer and lighter; less durable, quicker to burn, easier to carve, less expensive.
- Hardwood Ply: It is stronger, harder and heavier, highly durable, slower to burn, difficult to carve, more expensive
- Calibrated Ply: It makes the kitchen look more visually appealing and aesthetic; it has maximum precision.
What Are The Most Common Plywood Sizes And Thicknesses Available In India?
- Plywood Sizes: 8 ft by 4 ft, 6 ft by 4 ft. (required plywood size for modular kitchens)
- Plywood Thickness: Half an inch.
Hope this blog post has given you an idea of the valuable benefits of plywood and which plywood is best for modular kitchens in India. If you’re still confused and want more guidance on the same, get in touch with our interior design experts at DesignCafe and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.
We’re also looking forward to seeing your modular kitchen transformation journeys in the comment box below. Good luck!
