BWP (Boiling Water Proof) plywood is very popular due to its excellent moisture resistance; however, another characteristic of BWP plywood is its superior ability to sustain structural load. BWP plywood is built to carry large daily loads in addition to providing long-term maintenance of its dimensional stability, regardless of whether it is used to make kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, shelving systems, storage units or furniture.
What Makes BWP Plywood Strong?
The strength of a piece of BWP plywood is derived from its cross-laminated construction. This method of construction includes numerous layers of a thin hardwood veneer, which are arranged perpendicular to one another and glued together using waterproof adhesive under high heat and pressure.
This method of construction produces:
● High structural strength
● Better load distribution
● Improved dimensional stability
● Resistance to bending and warping
These characteristics result in a strong, stable piece of plywood that can withstand typical daily structural loads.
How Load is Distributed
Unlike solid wood, which will swell, shrink, or split when loaded, BWP plywood evenly distributes all weight across the entire surface of the panel. The manner in which the veneers are cross-plied also provides a means of helping to prevent localised stress buildup as a result of concentrated loading.
For this reason, BWP plywood is capable of:
● Supporting large loads of furniture
● Preventing sagging in shelving
● Maintaining the alignment of cabinets
● Providing long-term structural stability
Common Load Bearing Applications
BWP plywood is commonly used in kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, storage units, bookshelves, beds, study tables and office furniture because of its exceptional strength and durability.
These applications are fundamentally dependent on the material used to support continued load without losing its original physical properties.
Factors Affecting Load Bearing Performance
Several factors will affect the load-bearing performance of BWP plywood, including:
● Thickness of plywood
● The quality of the hardwood veneer that is used to manufacture the plywood
● Adhesive bond strength of the plywood
● Span between supports
● Manufacturing process of the plywood
BWP plywood manufactured from a high-quality wood substrate with strong core construction will typically perform better than lower-quality plywood under loading conditions.
Conclusion
BWP plywood is one of the best combinations of moisture resistance and structural strength. Its cross-laminated construction, strong bond by the glue that is used, and excellent dimensional stability provide a structural member that can support very high loads while resisting deformation over time. Because of these characteristics, BWP plywood is a great option for use in furniture, cabinets, storage systems and other applications that require long-term stability and strength.
