At GL Veneer, Architectural Plywood is the epitome of function following form. Of course, the substrate core provides strength and stability, but it’s the defining natural beauty and of Architectural Plywood that elevates any design to new heights.
In this Log Blog, we’ll guide you through the world of Architectural Plywood, exploring its diverse applications and the pivotal role it plays in shaping the construction, architecture, and interior design industries. Not only today, but in the future as well.
First, let’s start by clarifying the difference between Architectural Plywood and what we’ll call, “Big Box Plywood.”
Big Box Plywood
If you’re like a lot of folks, the term “plywood” often conjures an image of generic, 4’x8’ sheets of raw wood stacked high at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or your local lumber yard. And you’d be right. It’s this type of plywood that you need for those down-and-dirty, utilitarian purposes — like construction jobs and DIY projects. The kind of uses that don’t call for the aesthetic appeal, customizable quality, or design finesse that designers need for their architectural endeavors.
Architectural Plywood
On the other hand, when we talk about Architectural Plywood – or “Veneered Plywood” as it’s sometimes called – we’re referring to “non-structural plywood.” This is a completely different type of material that not only features a sheet of beautiful wood veneer on one or both faces of the particle board, it also showcases your vision and craftsmanship.
Exactly what you want for any interior plywood or decorative hardwood plywood applications in your next project.
That’s not to say that Architectural Plywood isn’t durable, strong, and fire rated. It’s all those things. But first and foremost, you choose this material for its stunning eye appeal when the surfaces of the plywood will be visible in your final design. And nothing elevates the aesthetics of your project like the warmth and character of natural wood.
An incredibly versatile material, Architectural Plywood truly unlocks your creativity. So start dreaming up designs beyond traditional flat surfaces and wall panels. Architectural Plywood panels can transform mundane, two-dimensional applications into three-dimensional sculptural elements or mesmerizing works of art. The decorative options of Architectural Plywood include a wide variety of wood veneers, from domestic to exotic wood species. A range of color palettes covering any tone or hue you can imagine. And near endless texture choices.
At GL Veneer, we also fume and dye some of our veneers to amplify their rich color and character. Or apply wire-brushing techniques to add depth and texture to their look.
Different Applications
- Wall Panels – One of the most common applications of decorative plywood, wall paneling allows you to customize the look and feel of any wall or space. It gives you greater control over your visual narrative and the ability to instantly change the mood of any space to meet your architectural design sensibilities.
- Ceilings – Reaching near ubiquity in workspaces, restaurants, retail spaces, hotels, and offices, Architectural Plywood is valued for its aesthetic appeal and durability. A powerful double whammy for creating stunning, overhead features that enhance the ambiance of any room.
- Slats – Sometimes just a touch of modern elegance makes all the difference. And adding sleek, plywood slats to your walls might be the deft design move you need. These versatile slats can be arranged in a variety of patterns, allowing you to play with light and shadow to create a visually captivating, yet functional, space.
- Acoustic Panels – Blending visual appeal with sound reducing qualities, Architectural Plywood is perfect for commercial and residential settings where you want to elevate the aesthetics while minimizing noise. Especially open workspaces, hotels, and public venues.
On the flip side, Architectural Plywood provides an excellent base material for acoustic panels in spaces requiring precise sound management — concert halls, theaters, and conference rooms. When combined with sound-absorbing materials, plywood panels can improve sound quality while significantly reduce echo. Making them a functionally stylish design choice.
The Basics of Architectural Plywood
Despite the fact it’s considered a “non-structural plywood,” Architectural plywood offers more than pretty looks. It’s about integrity, too. With its relative strength and versatility, GL Veneer’s core plywood is a structural workhorse. One of the best platforms you can buy, the clean edges of our made-to-order Architectural Plywood exude the high quality and craftsmanship that simply can’t be matched by mass-produced alternatives.
Architectural Plywood in Contemporary Design
From structural supports to dynamic interior architectures, Architectural Plywood is the backbone of contemporary design. Whether it’s furniture, cabinetry, or entire interior design setups, GL Veneer’s plywood solutions offer the perfect harmony of form and function.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Not only does choosing wood veneer make you look good, it should also warm your heart. Using it maximizes tree utilization, while minimizing waste.
Which totally makes sense — veneer is sliced thinly, like deli meat, yielding 42 paper-thin sheets for every 1” thick piece of lumber. Effectively, it multiplies that lumber 42 times, replicating its face, grain, and texture across a space 42x the width of the original board. That translates into more material, less waste, and the most resource-efficient, cost-effective use of the tree. Mother Nature thanks you.
Where and How to Order Cut-to-Size Architectural Plywood
When you’re looking for custom solutions tailored to your design project’s unique needs, your search begins and ends at GL Veneer.
Our family-run business spans three generations of wood experts. That’s over 40 years of experience, expertise, and knowledge you simply won’t find anywhere else — but our team loves to share. Not only to fulfill your unique needs and expectations but surpass them.
Specializing in top-quality, flexible wood veneer sheets and Architectural Plywood, GL can cover all your needs — from blueprint-matched custom plywood and superior substrate options to our proprietary “Hot-Press” laminating process and custom finishing. All at our Huntington Park, CA facility that houses billions of square feet of wood veneer.
Beyond our more than 100 species of veneer, GL Veneer offers an extensive array of plywood options that allows us to produce over 1,000 customizable plywood products. Including an extensive range of architectural plywood panel sizes, from the standard 4×8 to 2×10 sheets to whatever your CAD designed, cut-to-size custom specs call for.
Despite our vast selection options, GL Veneer makes finding the perfect match for your project straightforward and quick — often taking just a few minutes to determine the necessary specifications for your job. While we’re always more than happy to guide you through the selection process, you can also read the “How To Order Custom Plywood” guide on our Log Blog to learn our step-by-step instructions on ordering custom plywood.
At GL Veneer, we live for the challenging projects that others might consider impossible. Around here, no project is too large or too small. We love them all. And we’ll always give yours our utmost attention, providing you all the insight and expert advice your unique needs call for.
All you gotta do is call, or touch base through our website. Reach us anytime at 323.582.5203, or Toll-Free at 800.588.5003. Or submit an inquiry through glveneer.com.
