Wednesday, August 21, 2013

6mm Plywood Luan Plywood

6mm Plywood Luan Plywood

6 mm Luan Plywood Installation

Quarter-inch lauan plywood is the top material for underlayment among home renovators and contractors. It's quality is unsurpassed, and it is extremly durable and long-lasting. Amoung Manufactuers of Vinyl Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Flooring, and Laminate Flooring, the choice is clear, and Luan is the top pick. Of course before you proceed with any home improvement product, you should check with your flooring manufacturer before you proceed with installation to confirm.
There are two types of Luan:

Luan Type 1 with an exterior glue, is the more resistant to delamination, and should be installed under very durable flooring

Luan Type 2 with a water-resistant glue.


The type is normally indicated on the panal edge. Usually on the 4 foot edge, on the 4x8 sheet. There are three possible standards of Luan, which are

BB - the highest grade and should be used whenever possible.









Luan Ply : Description

Luan Ply :  Description 


What is Luan Ply ?

Luan Veneer Ply is a manufactured wood panel made from thin sheets of luan wood veneer. It is the most widely used wood products.

It is flexible, inexpensive, workable, and re-usable, and usually can be manufactured locally. Ply is used instead of plain wood because of plywood's resistance to cracking, shrinkage, splitting, and twisting/warping, and because of its generally high strength.

Layers of Luan Wood, are called Vaneers, are glued together, with adjacent plies having their wood grain at right angles to each other, to form a composite material. There alternation of the grain is called cross-graining and has several important benefits: Luan Ply Vaneers reduce the tendency of wood to split when nailed at the edges, this is a benefit for many do it yourself jobs, especially when you consider that most do it yourself'ers are novices in jobs for the first time.

There is another advantage of Luan Ply Vaneers is that they reduce expansion and shrinkage, providing improved dimensional stability; and it makes the strength of the panel consistent across both directions. There is usually an odd number of plies, so that the sheet is balanced—this reduces warping. Because ply is bonded with grains running against one another and with an odd number of composite parts, it is very hard to bend it perpendicular to the grain direction.




Luan Plywood for Subfloor Review (Pros and Cons)

Luan Plywood for Subfloor Review (Pros and Cons)

So you have a home renovation project, and are trying to determine what type of underlayment to use for your flooring. As a subfloor on it's own luan wood is probably not the best material, but overlaid over concrete or another material that is already existing you'll probably find you have no problems. The one major concern you'll have with Luan Wood as an underlayment is that it has been known to collect moisture and this can cause it to warp, or unwanted expansion and shrinkage. So this is the negative side of using Luan Wood. If you're wondering what the positive side of Luan Plywood is, it's probably it's cost effectiveness, lets face it. Luan Plywood is probably one of the cheapest materials out there, far less than standard mahogany, or Balsa wood.



Securing Luan Plywood in Place

Quarter-inch lauan plywood is the top material for underlayment among home renovators and contractors. It's quality is unsurpassed, and it is extremly durable and long-lasting. Amoung Manufactuers of Vinyl Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Flooring, and Laminate Flooring, the choice is clear, and Luan is the top pick. Of course before you proceed with any home improvement product, you should check with your flooring manufacturer before you proceed with installation to confirm


Lauan Wood : What is It and Where to Get It?

Attach Luan to Concrete

Attaching Luan to Concrete Floors, is possible if you first overlay the concrete with a think material such as plywood, then use the Laun Material overtop of that. You should use fasteners to attach the thicker plywood pieces to the floor. The best option when using fasteners is to use nails or cememt nails. If you're using the nails made of cement you must first make sure that all the heads of the nails are covered in a putty or smooth finish. The reason for this is that the nail's hard top surface over time will destroy the the laun board material.



Lauan Wood :  What is It and Where to Get It? 

Lauan Plywood is made up from multiple layers of thin sheets of lauan wood pressed together and glued together with the grain alternating direction. This gives lauan plywood it's great strength  Luann usually uses a solid core material which is compressed between two layers of veneer.

The veneer is usually some species of low grade mahogany. Luann is typically used in interior applications such as for the under laying of laminate or vinyl flooring. It's also used to make hollow core for interior doors.


Benefits of Lauan Wood

 This alternation of the grain is called cross-graining and has several important benefits: Lauan Mahogany Plywood Vaneers reduce the tendency of wood to split when nailed at the edges, this is a benefit for many do it yourself jobs, especially when you consider that most do it yourself'ers are novices in jobs for the first time.

Another advantage of Lauan Plywood Vaneers is that they reduce expansion and shrinkage, providing improved dimensional stability; and it makes the strength of the panel consistent across both directions.

There is usually an odd number of plies, so that the sheet is balanced—this reduces warping. Because plywood is bonded with grains running against one another and with an odd number of composite parts, it is very hard to bend it perpendicular to the grain direction.

Where to get it:

Lowes and Home Depot Stores





How to Stain Luan Plywood

How to Stain Luan Plywood

When Staining Luan Plywood your frist step should include taking a look at the surface of the plywood for any scratches or defects. When applying the wood putty to fill unsightly scratches or gouges or voids in the plywood edges. Let putty material set and then follow application using to manufacturer's directions. Smooth the surface of the plywood, and sand if neccessary to complete the polished look of the material.

When this has been completed, your next step should be to wipe any residual stain off your plywood so that the finish is even. Then wipe parallel to the grain to ensure a nice look. It will also help to stop any streaking from appearing on the wood. Allow the plywood to dry. Then go to the next step.

If there is any uneveness, apply another coat, and then sealer of lacquer or finish to give it a quality and professional look.




Luan Wood is a Mahogany Plywood

Comparing Luan Wood To Balsa Wood

Main Differences:

Luan Wood is a Mahogany Plywood.


Balsa Wood is a ligher coloured hardwood. It can be made into Plywood, like Luan, but it is more commonly found in small dimensional solids.

Another Important Difference is Price. Balsa Wood is more expensive than Luan Wood, and usually when you hear a tradesman speaking of luan, he is actually talking about plywood. It is usually found in a demension of 1/8 inch to 1/4 inchs by 4 to 8 feet. The most common use of luan wood is as underlayment for vinyal, tile, or rolled flooring.








1/8 Luan Plywood Installation

1/8 Luan Plywood Installation


1/8 inch lauan plywood is the top material for underlayment among home renovators and contractors. It's quality is unsurpassed, and it is extremly durable and long-lasting. Amoung Manufactuers of Vinyl Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Tile Flooring, and Laminate Flooring, the choice is clear, and Luan is the top pick. Of course before you proceed with any home improvement product, you should check with your flooring manufacturer before you proceed with installation to confirm.


There are two types of Luan:

Luan Type 1 with an exterior glue, is the more resistant to delamination, and should be installed under very durable flooring

Luan Type 2 with a water-resistant glue.


The type is normally indicated on the panal edge. Usually on the 4 foot edge, on the 4x8 sheet. There are three possible standards of Luan, which are

BB - the highest grade and should be used whenever possible.

CC

OVL (Overlay)
APA’s installation guidelines for 1/4-inch plywood should be followed when installing lauan plywood, but installers BEWARE: Lauan is made under a wall-panel specification of the International Hardwood Products Association (IHPA). No manufacturing specifications support its use or gauge its performance as an underlayment.

What is Luan - Plywood Underlayment

What is Luan - Plywood Underlayment


Luan Plywood is made up from multiple layers of thin sheets of luan wood pressed together and glued together with the grain alternating direction. This gives luan plywood it's great strength.




 Luan usually uses a solid core material which is compressed between two layers of veneer. The veneer is usally some species of low grade mahogany. Luan is typically used in interior applications such as for the under laying of laminate or vinyl flooring. It's also used to make hollow core for interior doors.

 
CDX Plywood

Plywood Construction BooksWorking With Plywood
Build Your Own Hollow Wood SurfboardWood Pallet Recycling for Profit 
Hundreds of Boat Plans For SaleWood Burning Stove Plans 
Worldwide Marketplace For Wood ProductsThe Complete Intarsia Manual 
Build Your Own HomeBuild Your Own Handrailing
Affluent Boat Builders Build Your Own Surf Paddle
Unique CNC Hobby Router PlansCraft Furniture Plans
My Shed PlansWoodworking Plans 
More Boatbuilding Plans Woodprofits.com
Wood Pellets Woodenluremarking
Build a Woodburning Pizza Oven  Learn from the Master Contractor

Installing Luan as an Underlayment

Installing Luan as an Underlayment



Basic Instructions on Using Luan as an Underlayment for Laminate or Vinyl Flooring. 

CDX Plywood


1. Luan should be installed directly on top of the subfloor (This is due to the face that, luan itself is not strong enough to to be the concrete subfloor)

2. Leave a quarter inch gap around the edges of the luan, to allow for expansion/shrinkage. This is very important

3. Use pressure cuts to cut through the panel, with one direct cut. This ensures the board is clean around the edges, and there are no gaps in your work

4. Ensure that Staples are flush with the Luan Material. This is to avoid any bumps or unevenness showing up in the finished work. (bubbling, unevenness, etc. ) 


Removing Luan Underlayment 
Luan  can be removed fairly easily. Just cut it into strips as long as there is no vinyl backing left. Getting all the staples removed or beat down is by far the hardest part.

If it's ran underneath the cabinets use a sharp razor knife and score it several times and it should break off pretty clean.

A lot of staples will have slivers of luan caught underneath you should either pull out or use needle nose pliers to remove the sliver then hammer then down flush. When you remove the luan don't want anything sticking up.
 It's a good idea to refasten the subfloor onto the joist with screws or screw shank underlayment nails. You should see how flat it is too... may have to belt sand some seams.

Plywood Construction BooksWorking With Plywood
Build Your Own Hollow Wood SurfboardWood Pallet Recycling for Profit 
Hundreds of Boat Plans For SaleWood Burning Stove Plans 
Worldwide Marketplace For Wood ProductsThe Complete Intarsia Manual 
Build Your Own HomeBuild Your Own Handrailing
Affluent Boat Builders Build Your Own Surf Paddle
Unique CNC Hobby Router PlansCraft Furniture Plans
My Shed PlansWoodworking Plans 
More Boatbuilding Plans Woodprofits.com
Wood Pellets Woodenluremarking
Build a Woodburning Pizza Oven  Learn from the Master Contractor

Installing Subflooring for Laminate, Vinyl, Tile or Hardwood

Installing Subflooring for Laminate, Vinyl, Tile or Hardwood

CDX Plywood

When installing subflooring, screw the subfloor into the joists.
1. Use as thick a subflooring material as you can, or you can find. This will be important when moving on to the grout and tile work.

2. Stiffen the floor to ensure that the new subfloor will be strong than the previous flooring.

3. Nails may not be strong enough for installation and may pop out. Use a ring shank nail, and it is basically a screw.

4. Put down a layer of luan plywood, as an isolation membrane and to protect the tile from cracking. If necessary, luan plywood is a bit expensive but worth it if you are looking for a quality job. You can staple or nail for installation.


Plywood Construction BooksWorking With Plywood
Build Your Own Hollow Wood SurfboardWood Pallet Recycling for Profit 
Hundreds of Boat Plans For SaleWood Burning Stove Plans 
Worldwide Marketplace For Wood ProductsThe Complete Intarsia Manual 
Build Your Own HomeBuild Your Own Handrailing
Affluent Boat Builders Build Your Own Surf Paddle
Unique CNC Hobby Router PlansCraft Furniture Plans
My Shed PlansWoodworking Plans 
More Boatbuilding Plans Woodprofits.com
Wood Pellets Woodenluremarking
Build a Woodburning Pizza Oven  Learn from the Master Contractor

Luan Subfloor Installation

Luan Subfloor Installation


When installing luan, you can place the laminate directly over the luan plywood. This will work regardless of room temperture, and will lock out moisture if that is a concern of yours as well. When you attach the flooring, use staples with a quarter crown. They are small and fast, and they won't leave holes if you decide down the line to refinish the flooring. Also leave quarter inch expansion at all vertical walls. This is important to allow for strinkage and expansion during different climate conditions which you may experience throughout the year.






CDX Plywood











Plywood Construction BooksWorking With Plywood
Build Your Own Hollow Wood SurfboardWood Pallet Recycling for Profit 
Hundreds of Boat Plans For SaleWood Burning Stove Plans 
Worldwide Marketplace For Wood ProductsThe Complete Intarsia Manual 
Build Your Own HomeBuild Your Own Handrailing
Affluent Boat Builders Build Your Own Surf Paddle
Unique CNC Hobby Router PlansCraft Furniture Plans
My Shed PlansWoodworking Plans 
More Boatbuilding Plans Woodprofits.com
Wood Pellets Woodenluremarking
Build a Woodburning Pizza Oven  Learn from the Master Contractor