In spite of the fact that there is no big visible difference between interior and exterior plywood, they are not absolutely interchangeable. The difference between the products starts at manufacturing process, during which they acquire its exclusive properties.
Exterior birch plywood has a wider area of application and can be used indoors as well as outdoors, while interior plywood is intended only for indoor use.
What differentiates exterior birch plywood from the interior one is waterproof glue. After this special resin-based glue has hardened, it can withstand almost any environmental conditions. To increase the durability of exterior birch plywood, exposed directly to open air, it is recommended to treat it with some paint or other finish.
The material is also popular for indoor use as a subfloor. Exterior birch plywood of high grades is often used for decorative purposes. One can also find it as a part of furniture. Thanks to its waterproof properties, the material can be used in bathrooms and kitchens as it is not afraid of spilled water.
Exterior plywood made of birch has beautiful light structure. Alongside with its mechanical properties and nice appearance, the material is affordable even in spite of the fact that as a rule the price for exterior birch plywood is little higher than for interior one.
