Birch Plywood
European Birch Plywood
Baltic Birch Plywood
Plywood importers delivering commercial quantities to businesses across the UK
Part packs or full loads... we can assist
Plain, Overlaid or Coated
Decorative or Constructional
Full Size, Cut or Machined
We deliver throughout the UK
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Birch is a hardwood with an excellent strength to weight ratio and performs well in applications requiring strength and rigidity. Light in colour with a smooth surface, it's also ideal for decorative use.
Rotary cut veneers are laid-up with grain alternating at 90 degrees, bonded with glue, pressed, edges trimmed and faces sanded.
"Baltic Birch" plywood is a general designation of plywood manufactured using silver birch (Betula pendula) harvested from regions such as Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Russia.
Birch Plywood is exceptionally versatile and used in many industries:
Joinery
Construction
Shopfitting
Furniture
Thickness & Plies
Plies are the laminations / layers
Standard core plies are approximately 1.4mm thick
Both faces are sanded to calibrate overall thickness and to smooth the surface
Outer plies are therefore less than 1.4mm
| 0.4mm | 0.8mm | 1.2mm | 1.5mm | 3mm | 4mm | 6mm | 6.5mm | 9mm | 12mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ply | 2 ply | 3 ply | 3 ply | 3 ply | 3 ply | 5 ply | 5 ply | 7 ply | 9 ply |
| 15mm | 18mm | 21mm | 24mm | 27mm | 30mm | 35mm | 40mm | 45mm | 50mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 ply | 13 ply | 15 ply | 17 ply | 19 ply | 21 ply | 25 ply | 29 ply | 33 ply | 37 ply |
| 0.4mm | 2 ply |
|---|---|
| 0.8mm | 2 ply |
| 1.2mm | 3 ply |
| 1.5mm | 3 ply |
| 3mm | 3 ply |
| 4mm | 3 ply |
| 6mm | 5 ply |
| 6.5mm | 5 ply |
| 9mm | 7 ply |
| 12mm | 9 ply |
| 15mm | 11 ply |
| 18mm | 13 ply |
| 21mm | 15 ply |
| 24mm | 17 ply |
| 27mm | 19 ply |
| 30mm | 21 ply |
| 35mm | 25 ply |
| 40mm | 29 ply |
| 45mm | 33 ply |
| 50mm | 37 ply |
Packing
Quantities shown are standard mill packing in "large" and "small" pack volumes
For special orders the pack quantities can be altered
| Thickness | 3mm | 4mm | 6mm | 6.5mm | 9mm | 12mm | 15mm | 18mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 130 | 100 | 65 | 65 | 44 | 33 | 26 | 22 |
| Large | n/a | 100 | 90 | 90 | 65 | 50 | 40 | 35 |
| Thickness | 21mm | 24mm | 27mm | 30mm | 35mm | 40mm | 45mm | 50mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 19 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Large | 30 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 12 |
| Thickness | Small | Large |
|---|---|---|
| 3mm | 130 | n/a |
| 4mm | 100 | 100 |
| 6mm | 65 | 90 |
| 6.5mm | 65 | 90 |
| 9mm | 44 | 65 |
| 12mm | 33 | 50 |
| 15mm | 26 | 40 |
| 18mm | 22 | 35 |
| 21mm | 19 | 30 |
| 24mm | 16 | 25 |
| 27mm | 14 | 22 |
| 30mm | 12 | 20 |
| 35mm | 11 | 17 |
| 40mm | 10 | 15 |
| 45mm | n/a | 13 |
| 50mm | n/a | 12 |
Panel Sizes
Standard Press
| Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|
| 2440 x 1220 | 8ft x 4ft |
| 1220 x 2440 | 4ft x 8ft |
| 1525 x 1220 | 5ft x 4ft |
| 1525 x 1270 | |
| 1525 x 1525 | 5ft x 5ft |
| 1525 x 3050 | 5ft x 10ft |
| 1250 x 2500 | |
| 2500 x 1250 |
Large Press
| Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|
| 1830 x 3050 | 6ft x 10ft |
| 1830 x 3340 | 6ft x 11ft |
| 1830 x 3660 | 6ft x 12ft |
| 1830 x 3850 | 6ft x 12ft 6" |
| 2150 x 3050 | 7ft x 10ft |
| 2150 x 3340 | 7ft x 11ft |
| 2150 x 3850 | 7ft x 12ft 6" |
| 2150 x 4000 | |
| 2290 x 4000 |
Extra Large Press
| Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|
| 1830 x 3050 | 6ft x 10ft |
| 1830 x 3340 | 6ft x 11ft |
| 1830 x 3660 | 6ft x 12ft |
| 1830 x 3850 | 6ft x 12ft 6" |
| 2150 x 3050 | 7ft x 10ft |
| 2150 x 3340 | 7ft x 11ft |
| 2150 x 3850 | 7ft x 12ft 6" |
| 2150 x 4000 | |
| 2290 x 4000 |
Oversize plywood / Large press plywood / Jumbo plywood
Large & extra large press size panels are made to order at the mill.
The minimum volume is one pack per thickness.
Plan for a lead-time of approximately 8 weeks.
Cut to size orders
Sizes shown above are press sizes offered by plywood mills
We can cut any dimensions from these sizes, plus we offer a machining service.
Panels can either be cut directly at the mill (subject to volume) or processed in the UK.
Scarf-Joined Panels
Even larger sizes are possible, beyond the press dimensions above. These panels would be scarf-jointed.
This involves cutting the edge at a shallow angle and bonding the panel edges together.
The joint is sanded smooth and is very strong.
Glue Line
Exterior Glue
Interior Glue
In general, exterior glue is dark brown and interior glue is colourless / clear.
Some items are manufactured with an exterior but colourless glue using melamine urea formaldehyde.
Bonding Specifications
| Conditions | Dry Interior |
|---|---|
| Bond Class | EN314-2 class 1 |
| Colour | Colourless |
| Alternative Names | MR / Moisture resistant |
| Material | Urea-formaldehyde resin |
| Conditions | Humid interior |
|---|---|
| Bond Class | EN314-2 class 2 |
| Colour | Dark Brown |
| Alternative Names | MR / Moisture resistant |
| Material | Melamine-formaldehyde resin |
| Conditions | Exterior |
|---|---|
| Bond Class | EN314-2 class 3 |
| Colour | Dark Brown |
| Alternative Names | WBP / Weather & boil proof |
| Material | Phenol-formaldehyde resin |
| Conditions | Bond Class | Colour | Alternative / previous names | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Interior | EN314-2 class 1 | Colourless | MR / Moisture Resistant | Urea-formaldehyde resin |
| Humid Interior | EN314-2 class 2 | Dark Brown | MR / Moisture Resistant | Melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin |
| Exterior | EN314-2 class 3 | Dark Brown | WBP / Weather & boil proof | Phenol formaldehyde resin |
| Exterior | EN314-2 class 3 | Colourless | Melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin |
Face Grades
The ongoing sanctions against Russian birch plywood have created supply shortages of legal material. Particularly affected are the high quality face grades used for decorative applications.
In order to offer legal alternatives, our
veneered plywood
section has been expanded to include panels with a birch plywood core and a light coloured species on the face: such as ash, maple or white
beech.
E Grade (or premium)
- Highest quality plywood
- Selected for a light surface appearance
- No external defects
- Very light pin knots permitted
- Repair patches (plugs) not permitted
- Colour variation between panels is minimal
Not currently available - alternative products:
E Grade (or premium)
- Highest quality plywood
- Selected for a light surface appearance
- No external defects
- Very light pin knots permitted
- Repair patches (plugs) not permitted
- Colour variation between panels is minimal
Not currently available
Alternative products:
B Grade
- Very high quality plywood
- Slight colour variation permitted
- Often used decoratively
- No external defects
- Pin knots permitted
- Maximum 3 repair patches (plugs) per M2
Not currently available - alternative products:
B Grade
- Very high quality plywood
- Slight colour variation permitted
- Often used decoratively
- No external defects
- Pin knots permitted
- Maximum 3 repair patches (plugs) per M2
Not currently available
Alternative products:
S Grade
- Very high quality plywood
- More discolouration permitted
- Often used for staining
- No external defects
- Pin knots permitted
- Maximum 3 repair patches (plugs) per M2
Not currently available - alternative products:
S Grade
- Very high quality plywood
- More discolouration permitted
- Often used for staining
- No external defects
- Pin knots permitted
- Maximum 3 repair patches (plugs) per M2
Not currently available
Alternative products:
BB Grade
- High quality plywood
- Predominantly unfilled and sanded veneer
- All major defects replaced with wood patches
- A restricted number of solid minor knots are admissible along with small, closed splits
- Some brown stain permitted
- Allow for colour variations
WG Grade
- For use where surface appearance is not important, reverse grade
- Sound knots permitted
- All major defects replaced with wood patches
- Open splits and checks up to 4mm wide
- Discolouration, streaks, roughness, glue penetration and plugs permitted
C Grade
- The lowest grade birch plywood
- Not sanded, open defects of wood structure and processing defects are allowed
- For construction purposes when face grade is not important i.e. packaging
Other Specs
Moisture Content
10% (+/- 2%) to EN315 and DIN 68705
Weight / Density
640-700 kg/M3
Formaldehyde
In accordance with the standard EN 13986
the formaldehyde emission meets the Class E1 requirements (test method EN 717 Part 2)
Documents
Fire Rated Birch Plywood
Fire rated birch plywood to
EN13501-1 Euroclass B s1, d0
A high quality and durable finish available in matt or satin
Factory applied coating system
A clear absorption based fire retardant with decorative lacquer
Complies with most new project requirements for BS EN13501 surface spread of flame and reaction to fire
Prices
Request a Quote
We deliver throughout the UK
Birch Plywood is a reliable and consistent material
It's our preferred panel for overlaying, machining and treating
Links to variants of Birch Plywood:
