Hardwood vs. Plywood — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024
Hardwood is a solid wood from deciduous trees, known for durability and grain beauty, whereas plywood is a manufactured wood panel made from thin layers of wood veneer, valued for its versatility and uniform strength.
Difference Between Hardwood and Plywood
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hardwood is sourced from broad-leaved trees such as oak and maple, which generally grow more slowly, contributing to the wood's density and durability. Whereas, plywood is made by gluing multiple thin layers of wood veneer, typically derived from softer woods, which are oriented at right angles to each other to enhance strength and minimize expansion.
Hardwood is prized in furniture and flooring for its natural appearance and longevity, often showcasing attractive grains and colors that develop a rich patina over time. Plywood, on the other hand, is favored in construction and cabinetry for its cost-effectiveness and dimensional stability, which resists warping and cracking.
The production of hardwood involves milling the wood directly from the tree, making each piece unique in terms of grain and texture. Plywood manufacturing, however, involves a controlled process that ensures uniform quality and size across batches, which is ideal for large-scale constructions and applications requiring consistent performance.
Hardwood is typically more expensive than plywood due to its natural origin and the lengthy growth period of hardwood trees. Plywood offers a more affordable alternative with wide applicability, which includes use in areas where the material may be subjected to rough handling or moisture.
While hardwood can be refinished multiple times to restore its surface, making it a long-term investment, plywood usually cannot be sanded down and refinished in the same way due to its layered construction, which might expose lower layers of lesser quality wood.
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Comparison Chart
Material Origin
Solid wood from deciduous trees
Made from layers of wood veneer
Aesthetic Appeal
Natural grain, unique patterns
More uniform, less distinct grain
Durability
Generally more durable
Less durable but has uniform strength
Cost
More expensive
Less expensive
Common Uses
Fine furniture, flooring
Construction, cabinetry, underlayment
Compare with Definitions
Hardwood
Known for natural beauty,
Hardwood floors are favored for their classic appearance.
Plywood
A composite wood material made from layers of veneer,
Plywood is commonly used in DIY projects.
Hardwood
Requires more time to grow, reflecting in its cost,
Hardwood items are generally pricier due to the slow growth of the trees.
Plywood
Suitable for various construction needs,
Plywood sheets are essential for creating forms for concrete.
Hardwood
A dense wood from broad-leaved trees,
The dining table is made of hardwood to ensure longevity.
Plywood
Resists warping and cracking,
Plywood is preferred in humid climates because it holds its shape.
Hardwood
Often used in high-quality furniture,
He chose hardwood for the custom bookshelves.
Plywood
Not typically used for fine finishes,
For the cabinetry interiors, they used plywood for its durability.
Hardwood
Can be refinished and restored,
The hardwood floor was sanded and refinished to remove scratches.
Plywood
Characterized by cross-grained layers,
The cross-grained structure of plywood adds to its strength.
Hardwood
Hardwood is wood from dicot trees. These are usually found in broad-leaved temperate and tropical forests.
Plywood
Plywood is a material manufactured from thin layers or "plies" of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured boards which include medium-density fibreboard (MDF), oriented strand board (OSB) and particle board (chipboard).
Hardwood
The wood of a eudicot or a magnoliid, such as an oak, maple, or magnolia.
Plywood
A structural material made of layers of wood glued together, usually with the grains of adjoining layers at right angles to each other.
Hardwood
A eudicot or magnoliid tree.
Plywood
(uncountable) Construction material supplied in sheets, and made of three or more layers of wood veneer glued together, laid up with alternating layers having their grain perpendicular to each other.
After the hurricane there was a severe regional shortage of plywood, especially exterior plywood.
Hardwood
The wood from any dicotyledonous tree, without regard to its hardness.
Balsa is a hardwood, but a soft hardwood.
Plywood
(countable) A specific grade or type of this construction material.
We stock exterior plywoods, interior plywoods, and furniture plywoods.
Hardwood
(countable) (in more general use) As the preceding, but limited to those that are commercial timbers, and are at least average in hardness.
Ash, hickory and oak are some of the most prominent domestic hardwoods.
Plywood
(transitive) To fit or block up with plywood.
Hardwood
The tree or tree species that yields the preceding.
This hardwood has been planted extensively throughout the hills here.
Plywood
A laminate made of thin layers of wood
Hardwood
(uncountable) A joint term for the commercial timbers, without distinguishing which.
You should have used hardwood for this window sill instead of this junk.
Hardwood
The sport of basketball, in particular, an indoor basketball court; so named because the floor of an indoor basketball court is normally made of hardwood.
Hardwood
(of a floor) Made of interlocking hardwood boards.
Hardwood
The wood of broad-leaved dicotyledonous trees (as distinguished from the wood of conifers); also items made from such wood; as, decorative hardwood.
Hardwood
Made of the hard-to-cut wood of a broad-leaved tree, as e.g. oak; consisting of a hardwood; as, hardwood floors; - of wood and wooden objects.
Hardwood
The wood of broad-leaved dicotyledonous trees (as distinguished from the wood of conifers)
Hardwood
Made of the hard-to-cut wood of a broad-leaved tree, as e.g. oak;
Hardwood floors
Common Curiosities
What is plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood product made by gluing together layers of wood veneers.
Why is hardwood more expensive than plywood?
Hardwood is more expensive due to its natural origin and the longer time required for trees to mature.
Is hardwood better than plywood?
Hardwood is generally better for aesthetic and durability purposes, whereas plywood is favored for cost and stability.
Can plywood be used for flooring?
Yes, plywood can be used as a subflooring material or when engineered for decorative surfaces.
What are the environmental impacts of using hardwood versus plywood?
Hardwood harvesting can lead to deforestation if not managed sustainably, whereas plywood can be made from quicker-growing, less valuable species and uses almost the entire tree, often making it more sustainable.
Can both hardwood and plywood be painted or stained?
Both hardwood and plywood can be painted or stained, though hardwood often provides a more attractive finish due to its natural grain.
What types of projects are best suited for plywood?
Plywood is best suited for structural applications, temporary structures, and areas where material stability is crucial, such as in subflooring and wall sheathing.
How do the weights of hardwood and plywood compare?
Hardwood tends to be heavier than plywood, reflecting its density and solid composition, whereas plywood's layered structure can be lighter, depending on the type of wood used in the veneers.
What is hardwood?
Hardwood is wood from deciduous trees, often used for its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Is hardwood or plywood more resistant to moisture?
Plywood is generally more resistant to moisture due to its engineered nature and the use of water-resistant adhesives in its layers, making it less prone to warping.
How does the installation of hardwood floors compare to plywood floors?
Installing hardwood floors typically requires more precision and care, focusing on the alignment and treatment of each plank, whereas plywood used as flooring often comes in larger sheets that cover more area quickly and require less individual placement.
What types of projects are best suited for hardwood?
Hardwood is ideal for high-end furniture, decorative flooring, and any project where appearance and longevity are priorities.
Are there different grades of plywood?
Yes, plywood comes in several grades, ranging from high-quality, smooth-faced veneers suitable for visible surfaces to lower grades used for structural support hidden from view.
Can hardwood be recycled?
Hardwood can be recycled or repurposed for other projects more easily than plywood, which, due to its composite nature, might not be as easily reused in a decorative capacity.
How does the maintenance of hardwood compare to that of plywood?
Hardwood requires more maintenance, including regular refinishing, to maintain its appearance, while plywood needs less maintenance but may be harder to repair if damaged.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
