Plywood Q# 2502
:
exterior use
Submitted
05.14.13
Q:
I'm interested in using PureBond plywood...not exactly for exterior use, but inside a greenhouse that I'm converted to a studio. So there may be some moisture that comes into the greenhouse, though mostly it will be dry. Using it for wall panels. Will PureBond plywood work in these circumstances? Is there a particular kind of wood that would be best? Thanks so much for your help.
A:
Our PureBond panels are manufactured with a water resistant adhesive that must meet testing requirements for Type II (water resistant) plywood in accordance with the HPVA HP-1-2009 Industry Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood, making it generally suitable for most interior applications. Ultimately, it is up to the end user to determine the suitability of a panel product to meet their specific needs and I generally refrain from recommending one for any specific application. However, based on your description of the end use, I would certainly not be comfortable with our Type II panels in that application. You may want to consider specifying a panel made with Type I or water proof glue. Thank you for your question.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2500
:
What is it made of
Submitted
04.27.13
Q:
Hi, Can you explain what the plywood 'core' is made up of? For some reason I am getting confused and am thinking there is a MDF component or layer within the plywood panel...is the PureBond the only adhesive used in a plywood panel? Thank you, Hillary
A:
It is understandably confusing, Hillary. The term plywood in the context of decorative panels basically means any component or combination of components that make up the core, or that part of the panel that is not seen, as compared to the very thin face and back wood veneers that make up the aesthetic element of the panel. The inner components may be particleboard (PBC), medium density fiber board (MDF), or thicker cut veneers of more innocuous and readily available species of logs like poplar and fir, or there may be a combination of these. At any rate, when we glue all the components as multiple plies of inner core with a decorative face and back in a construction most users call plywood core all in our own mills under our control, we use our proprietary PureBond adhesive system. We do not manufacture PBC or MDF, but we do purchase them from manufactures who use alternative adhesives that are now available with no urea formaldehyde or no added urea formaldehyde, and we do use them in our PureBond panels ordered with these core types. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for a great question!
Ang
Plywood Q# 2496
:
veneer is too thin
Submitted
04.03.13
Q:
Recently we have been having trouble with finishing hardwood veneer core plywood. Cherry especially so but also now seeing the same type of horizontal striations repeated across the width of a normal sheet in walnut and ash veneer core. We purchase plywood from several companies including Atlantic Plywood, Kerns, Goodfellows, and others. All my salesmen are telling me that they cannot guarantee that we will not see this problem. At first I thought it was a sanding issue, that the veneer core was not getting a second sanding and started inquiring about that. we were told that we needed to switch to MDF core for our veneer sheet goods . We still see the problem and it does not show up till finish goes on. the Issue I believe is the supper thin top veneer is allowing the glue spreader pattern to bleed through. This is not acceptable for high-end furniture that we build. Can you recommend a product and distributor that has a true furniture grade veneer core product in Cherry, Ash, Walnut, Mahogany and other hardwood species?
Thank you,
A:
I apologize for the lengthy delay in responding to your question.
Today's decorative faces are indeed super thin. Most are in the range of 1/46" or thinner (0.021"). Veneer core, as you know, consists of multiple plies of readily available, generally non decorative species such as yellow poplar, aspen, white fir, or pine, cut much thicker relatively speaking than the face and back. Because wood is a naturally hygroscopic material, it freely allows water in molecular form to move into and out of its cellular structure. As this happens, the wood will change dimensionally, and may even fracture along its weakest point, generally parallel to the lathe checks that develop inherently during the actual veneer peeling process. These fractures may or may not be visible early on, but as time goes by they may, and usually do become visible. Because of this tendency, exacerbated by the thinness of decorative faces available today, an engineered substrate such as particleboard or medium density fiber board may be more suitable alternatives to veneer core. Should veneer core be more desirable for some reason for a given application, consideration should be given to specification of a combination core such as Columbia Forest Products' Classic Core. This construction is essentially a veneer core panel except that next to the face and back are thin plies of MDF rather than veneer. The remaining inner plies are still veneer. This construction combines the best of both substrates to allow a veneer core look while eliminating exposure to the potential telegraphing of the unavoidable lathe checks through the panel surface.
Regarding the possiblilty of glue spreader roll pattern transfer, this is certainly a potential issue as well. If you are still experiencing the problem with engineered substrates, it would be advantageous to capture samples showing examples where the lines are present in the finished panel and have those sent to the providing mill for further evaluation. There are rigid processes in place in any hardwood plywood manufacturing facility to ensure that optimum glue spreads, stand times, and pre-press times are utilized to ensure the function of the bond without compromising the appearance of the panel. The mill should be able to determine if there was a hiccup in the process.
I hope this helps.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2495
:
columbia pure bond
Submitted
03.13.13
Q:
how well does it hold up under damp or high moisture content, and low temp
A:
Our PureBond panels are intended for end use in indoor applications. Optimum conditions to ensure acceptible performance include maintaining temperature between 65 and 75 degrees F, and relative humidity between 40 and 60%. Continuous exposure to conditions outside these ranges could spell trouble. Thank you for your question!
Ang
Plywood Q# 2494
:
purebond SIPs
Submitted
02.25.13
Q:
I am looking for SIP building materials for a new cottage which needs to be low or no emissions, due to chemical sensitivities. We want to use SIPs but don't find them with other than OSB, some with v-matched pine, but I want a simpler solution in kitchen where I will be hanging cabinets.
thank you
A:
We do not supply panels for Structural Insulated Panel Systems, but we do for kitchen cabinet manufacturers. To my understanding, SIPs are used for the exterior structure of a residential or commercial building. The system consists of an outer shell of OSB or structural plywood, with varying thicknesses of styrofoam insulating panels glued between. The inner side of an outside wall would need to be covered in some decorative material, either wall paneling or dry wall, and your cabinets would then be attached to the decorative wall. The OSB or structural plywood panels are manufactured with a phenolic adhesive system which emits extremely low levels of formaldehyde. I am sorry I could not be more helpful.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2493
:
Oak Panel Average Flames Spread Rating
Submitted
02.13.13
Q:
I'd like to use your 5/8 oak panel model PB58OAKC216FSC to cover a finished basement ceiling. The local building code requires that the average flames spread rating be less than 150 for that application. I've reviewed your Flame Spread Performance of Wood Products document, but don't see a description that matches that oak panelling. What is the average flames spread rating of your 5/8 oak panel.
A:
The Design for Code Acceptance published by the National Forest and Paper Association contains figures for a variety of wood products and species under the section "Flame Spread Performance of Wood Products." All the hardwood plywood items tested for this publication produced flame spread results between 76 and 200, which is the level published for Class C as set forth by the National Fire Protection Agency, NFPA-101. Similar products have been tested by Columbia Forest Products, all of which also meet the requirements for Class C. This statement applies to all our products. Due to the costs associated with testing, and the infrequency of requests for such rating, we rely on the testing data referenced herein. We have, as indicated, tested a variety of products, but by no means have we tested them all.
The rating system is based on a rating of 100 for red oak flooring.
Smoke developed in all tests is 450 or less.
To view the entire AF & PA document, follow the link: http://www.awc.org/Publications/dca/dca1/DCA1.pdf.
Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that the panels in question would meet the 150 level, but they do meet or fall below the 200 level. I hope this helps.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2492
:
bedroom closet door
Submitted
02.09.13
Q:
I'm making a pair of sliding closet doors for my bedroom. I've seen lots of plans for MDF molding-reinforced 1/4" plywood. But I'm wondering if I can just use two simple sheets of 1/4 or 1/2 inch ply for a modern feel. Our house sees extremes in humidity over the course of the year, and I'd be concerned about warping without the MDF reinforcement. Any thoughts? Thanks! Rand
A:
I wish I could be of more help, but due to the nature of wood to move, even engineered wood, warp will always be a concern in the environment you describe. I would suggest looking at similar applications that have proven to work in your area and attempt to replicate those designs. Even then, there is no guarantee against wood movement.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2491
:
glue
Submitted
02.01.13
Q:
is your Pure Bond glue as good as the old exterior glue ?
thank you
A:
Our previous adhesive was a urea formaldehyde glue that met the requirements for INTERIOR Type II performance in accordance with ANSI/HPVA HP-1. It was not represented as nor did it meet the requirements for a Type I or exterior product. Our PureBond system testing consistently shows that it out performs that of the previous UF adhesive, placing it high in the performance range for Type II or Interior. Thank you for your question.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2490
:
beadboard?
Submitted
12.26.12
Q:
your design gallery on line shows beadboard (panel section) - do you make sheets of purebond plywood with a beadboard profile? If so, what thicknesses, and can they be ordered through home depot as well? thanks!
A:
We do manufacture PureBond(R) beaded panels with MDF core that can be special ordered through The Home Depot in thicknesses including 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4". Other thicknesses may be available at times, but it is important to check availability before ordering. Thanks so much for your interest in Columbia Forest Products PureBond(R) panel products.
Ang
Plywood Q# 2489
:
formaldehyde
Submitted
12.19.12
Q:
Does New York State have Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products like CARB2 in California?
A:
Currently, to our knowledge, only the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard, CFR 3280 addresses formaldehyde emissions that would affect only manufactured homes in New York state. There are efforts underway to adopt a national standard consistent with the restrictions placed on formaldehyde emissions by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that would affect New York, but presently no other standards apply. Hope this helps!
Ang