The modern market is filled with various sheet construction and finishing materials. Among them, FC plywood stands out for its characteristics. Due to such quality as universality, it is in demand not only among professional builders, but also among ordinary consumers who decide to make repairs or make their own construction. With this material, you can sheathe walls, level floors or use it in the manufacture of furniture with your own hands.
So, FC plywood - what kind of material is this? You can find out its characteristics and features by reading this article.
Features plywood FC
Plywood FC - what is it? The abbreviation FC includes the words “plywood” and “urea”. This is a multilayer moisture-resistant, in the form of square cloths, material made from peeled veneer of deciduous or coniferous species of wood, the layers of which are glued with urea-formaldehyde resins. Fibers on all veneer sheets used for gluing plywood are located at the same angle.
The manufacture of this building material is carried out in stages. First, the main inner layer is formed and glued, which can be made from whole veneer of any wood species or combined. Then it is glued on both sides with veneer sheets, which serve as finishing cladding. The use of silicate glue in the manufacture of FC plywood slightly reduces its water-resistant characteristics, however, it is possible to use plywood sheets of this brand in the decoration of walls, ceilings, floors indoors, as well as in the manufacture of formwork for strip foundations, furniture production.
In most cases, birch wood is used to make hardwood FC plywood. It is distinguished by high strength, wear resistance, good environmental properties, decorative texture, good surface qualities. Due to the characteristics of the source material, FC birch plywood is most in demand in comparison with other species.
Scope of application
Despite its low moisture resistance, FC plywood is used in various fields.
Facing walls and ceilings. High-quality plywood sheets that do not emit any toxic substances are suitable for sheathing surfaces in both residential and office premises.
Laying under the laminate flooring. Laying plywood as a substrate improves the sound and heat insulation of the floor covering. For lining under the laminate, sheets of 5-15 mm thickness are used. Before installation, the strips are cut into squares so that there is no internal stress of the material, therefore, for such purposes, low-grade plywood can be used by cutting out unsuitable parts. Under the parquet, the plywood substrate is made whole. Its thickness should be at least 2/3 of the height of the floorboard.
Furniture manufacture. For the manufacture of interior items used high quality plywood. Use it for the manufacture of chairs, sofas, various shelves, drawers.
In addition, FC plywood is used for the manufacture of exhibition stands, souvenir and packaging products.
FC plywood standards
Russian manufacturers produce plywood that meets all the requirements stipulated by several GOSTs, since there is no single such document for the production of this material. Standard size of plywood sheets: 1525x1525 mm. They also produce strips with other dimensions: 1270x1525 mm, 1475x1525 mm, 1220x2440 mm. The thickness of standard sheets is 3–24 mm.
Material grade
There are four varieties of FC plywood, which are determined depending on the number of different wood defects (cracks, knots, sprouts, patches and others) on each side of the strip. Therefore, the grade can have the designation "Plywood FC 2/2, 3/2, 4/2", etc.
The first variety allows cracks with a length of not more than 2 cm.
The second - provides for various wood inserts, a slight leakage of glue.
The third grade may have on 1m 2 no more than 9-10 wormholes no larger than 6 mm each.
Fourth - FC plywood of the lowest quality. This variety allows for an unlimited number of wormholes up to 4 cm in size, various edge defects.
For sale there is NSh, Sh 1, Sh 2 plywood FC. What are these designations? This is often asked by ordinary consumers who are not professionals. Depending on the degree of surface treatment, FC plywood can be of two types:
Marking 1 means that the plywood sheet is sanded on one side; 2 - on both sides; NSh - unpolished, the cost of which is slightly lower.
Benefits
Moisture-resistant FC plywood has a number of advantages, due to which it is popular among consumers:
originality of the invoice;
strength, wear resistance;
environmental friendliness;
ease of processing;
ease of installation;
safety in use;
light weight;
low price.
disadvantages
The lack of material can be considered that the plywood of the FC brand has limitations in heat resistance and water resistance. It swells very quickly and loses its shape. In this regard, the material is recommended to be used only indoors, since there indicators of air humidity are low.
How to visually distinguish FC plywood
If you want to buy a product of this particular brand and do not know how the FC plywood differs from its brothers, what kind of material it is, you should contact the seller for help. You can also independently determine the required type by its external characteristics. FC plywood differs from FB and FSF in that there are light yellow glue veins between the veneer layers on the end sides of the sheet.
Rules for storage and transportation
FC plywood should be stored in a dry, clean and covered area. Warehousing is carried out in stacks, the height of which should not exceed 5 flights with mandatory laying of bars for intervals of 45-50 cm. The shelf life of this material is 3 years. Transportation of plywood foxes should be carried out only in covered vehicles or wagons.