Plywood needs to be handled correctly, be it during the production process or subsequently in its finished state when it has to be stored the right way. Matilda Veneer combines tight controls and procedures throughout the production process to ensure the finished plywood meets the high standards established by the company.
When the plywood arrives in Matilda’s warehouse and goes through their final quality control processes, they make sure all the effort invested in the production of these beautiful sheets is not undone through incorrect storage and handling. Once the plywood is sold and packed on the truck, the responsibility of ensuring the plywood remains in top condition transfers to the distributor/ reseller/ customer.
So, what can go wrong? How do we prevent it? And what should you be doing to ensure your plywood remains in top condition? Such problems usually are caused by people who simply don’t know the right way to look after their plywood before installing it into their next project.
Read on to find out what you should be doing to maintain your plywood in top condition:
The three key objectives are:
- Keeping the plywood flat by preventing twisting or bowing. Just because they started flat, doesn’t mean they will remain that way.
- Keeping the plywood dry. Exposure to moisture can lead to mould and decay.
- Keeping the plywood beautiful. Avoiding damage, stains, contaminants and UV light will keep your plywood looking great.
To ensure you’re doing everything in your power to look after your plywood, Matilda suggests the following storage and handling suggestions (reference - AS2271):
The storage area should be well-ventilated and protected from the sun, rain and wind that would otherwise bring about rapid changes in temperature and humidity.
Support for the sheets should be provided at both ends and the middle of the pack to avoid distortion. At Matilda, we use a minimum of four bearers on each pack for 2400×1200 sheets, more for larger sheets or packs of thin plywood.
The stack should be kept dry and clear of ground contact and away from risks of damage or contamination from external factors.
The sheets should be stacked flat, never on their edge.
To avoid staining, fading and surface checking, the sheets should not be exposed to the weather while awaiting installation. Remember, UV light will adversely impact the aesthetic of your raw timber products.
Following these simple guidelines will help to ensure the plywood you’ve purchased will stay in top condition and prevent issues at installation so that you can save time and money while ensuring the design outcomes exceed your expectations.
Matilda Veneer manufactures and distributes a broad range of unique and decorative plywood products including Hoop Pine, Matilda Fireply (Group 1 Certified Fire Retardant Plywood), Birch Plus and Lite Ply.
