Hardwood Plywood
Hardwood plywood is a durable, high-performance sheet material used across construction, joinery and fit-out. Made from bonded hardwood veneers, it offers excellent strength, a smooth workable surface and reliable screw-holding — making it the material of choice wherever both structural integrity and finish quality matter.
At Elliotts, we stock a comprehensive range of hardwood plywood sheets in thicknesses from 3.6mm to 25mm, all in the standard 2440 x 1220mm (8x4ft) sheet size. Available to order from your local branch for click & collect, or local site delivery.
What Is Hardwood Plywood?
Hardwood plywood is manufactured from multiple layers of hardwood veneer bonded together under heat and pressure with a resin adhesive. Each layer (or 'ply') is laid with its grain running perpendicular to the layer above, which gives the panel its characteristic cross-grain stability — meaning it resists warping, twisting and shrinkage far better than solid timber.
The face veneers are typically sanded smooth, giving hardwood plywood a cleaner surface than softwood ply. This makes it ideal for applications where the material will be painted, stained, lacquered or left visible.
What Is Hardwood Plywood Used For?
Hardwood plywood sheets are used across a wide range of structural and non-structural applications:
Construction & Structural
- Concrete formwork and shuttering
- Structural flooring and sub-floors
- Roofing and wall sheathing (structural CE2+ grade)
- Temporary site structures and hoardings
Joinery & Interior Fit-Out
- Internal and external joinery
- Furniture carcasses, shelving and cabinetry
- Shopfitting, racking and display panels
- Wall panelling and feature walls
Trade & Commercial
- Van, lorry and trailer linings
- Signage and soffits
- Packing, pallets and protective crating
- Boat interiors and marine applications (marine ply grade)
Hardwood Plywood Sizes & Thicknesses
We supply hardwood plywood sheets in the following thicknesses, all in the standard 2440 x 1220mm sheet size:
- 3.6mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Light joinery, crafts, decorative panels
- 5.5mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Panelling, furniture backs, thin shelving
- 9mm , 2440 x 1220mm , General joinery, van linings, partitions
- 12mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Flooring, structural panels, shopfitting
- 15mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Furniture carcasses, heavy shelving
- 18mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Most popular — flooring, formwork, joinery
- 25mm , 2440 x 1220mm , Heavy-duty structural and load-bearing use
18mm hardwood plywood is our most popular thickness, suitable for a wide range of flooring, joinery and formwork applications.
Using Hardwood Plywood Outside? Seal the Edges
Regardless of the grade of plywood used, any sheet material used in external or humid conditions MUST have all edges sealed before installation. Unsealed edges allow moisture to penetrate the veneer layers, causing the panel to swell and delaminate over time.
We recommend Protek Edge Seal Protection to reliably seal plywood edges. Apply to all four edges before any outdoor or moisture-exposed installation.
"You MUST seal the edges. It's the single most important thing you can do to protect your plywood." — Bob Tee, Former Timber Specialist at Elliotts.
Why Buy Hardwood Plywood from Elliotts?
- Wide range of thicknesses from 3.6mm to 25mm in stock
- Expert timber advice from our in-branch and Sales Hub teams
- Click & Collect from your local Elliotts branch
- Free delivery on orders over £300 (standard 2–3 working days)
- Class 3 exterior grade available to order
Not Sure Which Plywood Is Right for You?
We've put together a range of expert guides to help you choose:
- Choosing Plywood: A Complete Guide — which type suits your project?
- Plywood Classes Explained — understanding Class 1, 2 and 3
For bespoke requirements, larger volumes or products not listed online, contact our Timber Specialists in our Sales Hub. Our team can advise on specification, source specific grades and arrange delivery to site.
