Plywood
Plywood is an engineered wood panel made from thin timber veneers bonded in cross-laminated layers, manufactured in Australia to AS/NZS 2269 for structural applications and AS/NZS 2272 for marine applications. Big River Group, an Australian manufacturer trading for over 130 years, produces structural and marine-grade hardwood plywood at its Grafton NSW mill, one of Australia’s last remaining plywood manufacturing operations, where plywood has been made since 1936. Standard sheets are 2400 x 1200mm, in thicknesses from 7mm to 25mm in the ArmourPly structural range, with thicker sheets available on request.
All plywood is PEFC chain-of-custody certified and available through our 25 locations across Australia and New Zealand with crane truck delivery to site. Browse the range below, or jump to structural plywood and decorative plywood.
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Anti-Slip Plywood
Plywood with extra moisture protection in wet or damp exterior environments.
Ramps, walkways & high-traffic areas
Appearance Grade Structural Plywood
Made from Radiata Pine, Big River’s Appearance Grade Structural Plywood is a very cost effective option and is used...
Structural and general building
ArmourForm F27 Formwork Plywood
Structural plywood for concrete formwork. F27 stress grade.
Commercial concrete formwork
ArmourPly Structural Plywood
Structural plywood for bracing, flooring, and general construction
Bracing and flooring substrate
Deckply Range
Deckply is a high-quality plywood panel developed and engineered predominantly from graded eucalyptus veneers to the...
Concrete formwork
Hardwood Plywood Interior A/C
Interior-grade hardwood plywood for cabinetry and shopfitting
General cabinetry and shopfitting
Hoop Pine Plywood AA
Premium appearance-grade plywood for cabinetry and furniture.
High-end joinery and cabinetry
Sheet Products
Sheet Products – Melamine, MDF, Particleboard & Shelving Big River supplies multi-purpose sheet products that are...
Structural and general building
Sound Barrier Fencing
Armourply Sound Barrier Sound attenuation and visual screening or fencing for exterior applications.
Structural and general building
T&G Ply - Flooring & Roofing
Armourply T&G Flooring: T & G Structural ply flooring and roofing is ideal for residential applications, but is also...
Floor substrate and finishing
V-Grooved Plywood & Panelling
Armourply V-Grooved plywood Typically used for Ceilings, walls, lining and cabinet making, Big River sells a range of...
Wall panel systems
How to Choose the Right Plywood
What thickness and sheet sizes does plywood come in?
The standard Australian plywood sheet is 2400 x 1200mm. Big River’s ArmourPly structural range runs from 7mm to 25mm in standard production, with thicker sheets available on request. Because the range covers several product lines, sheet sizes, thicknesses and stress grades vary by line rather than by thickness alone. The table below sets out what each line offers.
| Product line | Stress grade | Thickness (mm) | Sheet size (mm) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F11 structural, radiata pine | F11 | 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 32, 35, 39, 45, 50 | 2400 x 1200 | Bracing, residential flooring, lining |
| Appearance grades AA to DD | F11 (F14 on request) | 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 32, 35, 39, 45, 50 | 2400 x 1200 | Wall panelling, bracing, ceiling |
| Grade CD structural flooring | F11 (F14 on request) | 15, 17, 19, 21, 25 | 2400 x 1200, 2250 x 1200 | Structural residential flooring, mezzanines, transportables |
| Grade DD | F11 | 12, 15 | 2400 x 1200 | Confirm with your branch |
| V-grooved, grade BD | F11 | 9, 13, 18 | 2400 x 1200 | Ceilings and walls, lining, cabinet making |
| Sound barrier profile | F11, F14 | 25, 27, 32 | 2400 x 1200 | Sound attenuation and visual screening or fencing, exterior |
| Anti-slip | F17 | 12, 17, 19, 21, over 21 | 1800 x 1200, 2400 x 1200, cut to size | Permanent and temporary walkways and stairs |
| Hardwood | F22, F27 | 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39 | 2400 x 1200, 1800 x 1200 | Commercial and industrial flooring, interior only |
Sheet sizes and grades vary by product line, so confirm availability with your nearest Big River location before ordering.
What is the difference between structural, marine and decorative plywood?
Structural plywood (AS/NZS 2269) is engineered for load-bearing applications: flooring, bracing, roofing and sheathing. Marine plywood (AS/NZS 2272) meets stricter requirements for veneer quality and void-free construction, making it suitable for prolonged moisture exposure in marine, wet area and infrastructure applications. Decorative plywood prioritises face veneer quality for visible interior finishes. Products such as Hoop Pine AA are manufactured to AS/NZS 2271, the exterior plywood standard, whose A-Bond glue line also makes them well suited to interior joinery and linings. ArmourPly is manufactured to AS/NZS 2269 from Australian hardwood eucalypt species, in stress grades up to F27 for heavy-duty structural work.
| Structural | Marine | Decorative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | AS/NZS 2269 | AS/NZS 2272 | AS/NZS 2271 (exterior plywood standard) for exterior-bonded decorative panels such as Hoop Pine AA |
| Bond | A-Bond | A-Bond | Product dependent (Hoop Pine AA is A-Bond) |
| Veneer requirement | Minor internal voids permitted | Virtually void-free core, higher-grade faces | Face veneer quality prioritised (A and B faces) |
| Typical application | Flooring, bracing, roofing, sheathing | Marine, wet areas, infrastructure | Interior linings, joinery, architectural finishes |
| Moisture exposure | Weather resistant (A-Bond glue line) | Prolonged moisture exposure | Typically interior use; bond type varies by product |
What do the plywood bond types A, B, C and D mean?
The adhesive bond determines where plywood can be used. A-Bond (phenol formaldehyde) is permanent and waterproof, and is required for all structural, marine and exterior applications. B-Bond (melamine urea formaldehyde) suits protected exterior and semi-exposed conditions. C-Bond and D-Bond are interior only and must not be used in structural or wet applications. Always verify the bond type against the intended exposure conditions for your project.
What stress grade plywood do I need?
Stress grades from F8 through F27 indicate bending strength capacity. F8 and F11 suit residential bracing, general sheathing and hoardings. F14 and F17 are specified for flooring, structural linings and medium-duty applications. F22 and F27, available in ArmourPly hardwood plywood, are specified for heavy-duty industrial flooring, transport and infrastructure where maximum load capacity is required. Match the grade to the structural demand of the application, and confirm against the relevant span tables.
What do the plywood veneer grades A, B, C and D mean?
Veneer quality grades from A (highest) through D determine surface appearance, not structural capacity. Hoop Pine AA provides premium face quality for clear finishing and architectural joinery. CD and DD grades suit structural applications where appearance is secondary. Specify the face grade to the application: higher grades cost more but deliver a finish-ready surface.
Is Big River plywood made in Australia?
Big River Group has manufactured plywood at its Grafton NSW mill since 1936, one of Australia’s last remaining plywood manufacturing operations, and the company has been trading for over 130 years. All Big River plywood is produced under the EWPAA product certification scheme with JAS-ANZ accreditation, and the Grafton mill holds PEFC chain-of-custody certification (PEFC/21-31-174) for sustainably sourced timber. As the manufacturer, our location teams can advise directly on stress grade, bond type and veneer grade selection for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between structural and marine plywood?
Structural plywood is certified to AS/NZS 2269 for load-bearing applications and allows minor internal voids between veneers. Marine plywood is certified to AS/NZS 2272 with stricter requirements – virtually void-free core construction and higher-grade face veneers – making it suitable for prolonged moisture exposure. Both use A-Bond (phenolic) adhesive, but marine plywood offers superior resistance to water penetration and delamination.
What stress grade plywood do I need for my project?
F8 and F11 are suitable for residential wall and roof bracing and general sheathing. F14 is commonly specified for flooring underlays and medium-duty structural applications. F17 suits commercial flooring and higher-load structural work. F22 and F27 are specified for heavy-duty industrial flooring, transport applications, and infrastructure where maximum load-bearing capacity is required.
What does A-Bond mean in plywood?
A-Bond refers to a phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesive that forms a permanent, waterproof glueline between plywood veneers. It will not deteriorate under wet conditions, heat, or cold, making A-Bond plywood suitable for structural, marine, and full weather exposure applications. All structural and marine plywood manufactured to Australian Standards uses A-Bond adhesive.
Is Big River plywood made in Australia?
Big River Group has manufactured plywood at its Grafton, NSW mill since 1936 – one of Australia’s last remaining plywood manufacturing operations. The ArmourPly range is produced from Australian eucalypt hardwood veneers and carries EWPAA certification, JAS-ANZ accreditation, and PEFC chain-of-custody certification (PEFC/21-31-174) for sustainably sourced timber.
Can plywood be used for interior wall and ceiling linings?
Decorative plywood with high-grade face veneers (A or B grade) is widely used for interior wall linings, ceiling panels, and joinery. Hoop Pine AA plywood is a popular choice for clear-finished architectural applications. For areas requiring fire performance, check the Fire Group Number rating – some plywood products achieve Group 3 fire ratings suitable for wall and ceiling linings under the NCC.
Is marine plywood waterproof?
Not entirely, and the distinction matters. The A-Bond phenolic glue line in marine plywood is permanently waterproof and will not delaminate in wet conditions. The timber veneers themselves are not impervious to water. What AS/NZS 2272 marine plywood adds over structural plywood is a virtually void-free core and higher-grade veneers, which give it superior resistance to water penetration and delamination during prolonged moisture exposure.
What is the difference between structural and non-structural plywood?
The glue bond and the grading. Structural plywood uses an A-Bond (Type A phenolic) glue line and is stress graded and certified to AS/NZS 2269, so it can carry structural loads. Non-structural plywood uses a less durable bond and is not rated for load-bearing use. If a panel is not stress graded, it is not a structural panel, regardless of thickness.
What size sheets does plywood come in?
The Australian standard sheet is 2400 x 1200mm. Big River also produces 1800 x 1200mm sheets in hardwood F22 and F27 grades and anti-slip plywood, and 2250 x 1200mm in structural flooring grades. Anti-slip plywood is also available cut to size. Other sizes may be available on request through your local Big River location.
Related Product Categories
Structural Timber
Framing timber, LVL beams, and timber mouldings for residential, commercial, and industrial construction across Australia.
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Decorative Walling
Interior wall panel substrates and decorative finishes for commercial fitouts, hospitality, retail, and residential feature walls.
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