®

WISA ARCHITECTS’ GUIDE

Specifying Finnish Plywood

Uniclass PEFC/02-31-112

L6617 Promoting Sustainable

Forest Management
www.pefc.org

CI/SfB
Ri4

20170115 January 2017

UNCOATED PLYWOODS FORMWORK PLYWOODS EXAMPLE 1. TYPE OF APPLICATION
Structural floor in a new build domestic dwelling
using platform frame construction

Plywood
WISA-Birch WISA-Form Beto

Specification

Use class

WISA-Spruce, WISA-Spruce Special WISA-Form Birch Thickness

Number of plies

Grain direction

Edge profile
WISA-Sprucefloor WISA-Form Slab Panel size

Face grade

Glue line

WISA-Twin WISA-Form MDO Marking

Installation guidance

WISA-Panel, WISA-Decor WISA-Form Spruce EXAMPLE 2. TYPE OF APPLICATION

Non structural decorative wall lining to interior
of public building
OTHER SPECIAL PLYWOODS COATED FLOORING PLYWOODS

Plywood

Specification

WISA-Birch Premium WISA-Hexa Grip Use class

Thickness

Number of plies
WISA-Paintply WISA-Multifloor
Grain direction

Edge profile

Panel size

Face grade
WISA-Multiwall WISA-Trans
Glue line

Marking

Installation guidance
WISA-Truck

Fire treatment

WISA-Wire
Plywood to be Finnish conifer plywood thick veneer construction
in accordance with in BS EN 1995-1-1 Structural use of Timber

BS EN 636 requirements for plywood for use in humid conditions

BS EN 335 Use class 2

(risk of wetting/humid conditions)

18 mm

of face veneers to run parallel to long edges

T & G 2 long edges

2400 x 1220 mm (nominal),

2400 x 1213 mm (laid measure)

Grade II/III to BS EN 635-3

BS EN 314-2 Class 3
CHECK LIST:
Plywood to be CE marked according to BS EN 13986 For drawing up a specification for plywood
‘marking of wood based panels for use as structural elements’.
Use class (BS EN 335)
Apply to manufacturer for installation/fixing instructions
Glue line (BS EN 314)

Plywood specification (BS EN 636)

Structural requirements (BS EN 1995-1-1)

Wood species (Birch or Spruce)

Plywood to be Finnish birch throughout plywood,
veneer construction Face Grade (or coatings) (BS EN 635)
BS EN 636 requirements for plywood for use in dry conditions
Thickness
BS EN 335 Use class 2
(risk of temporary wetting during construction) No of plies

12 mm Size

9 Grain Direction of face veneers

of face veneers to run parallel to short edges
Edge profile
square edged
Fire requirements Euro Class C/and or B
1200 x 2400 mm
(BS EN 13501-1)
Grade I/IV (B/WG) to BS EN 635-2
CE Marking (EN 13986)
to BS EN 314-2 Class 3

Plywood to be CE marked according to BS EN 13986 PEFC

‘marking of wood based panels for use in non-structural elements’.

Apply to manufacturer for installation/fixing

instructions

Boards to be treated with pressure impregnation or surface coating

to meet Euro Class C and/or B of BS EN 13501-1
WISA Architects’ Guide For You
The purpose of this guide is to enable Architects The guide is intended for use in connection with
unfamiliar with plywood to select the right type and permanent structural or decorative uses of plywood.
grade of plywood for the application they have in mind, The use of overlaid plywoods for ‘temporary‘
and then specify the plywood in sufficient detail to applications, eg concrete formwork, is addressed in
ensure the specification is not open to interpretation. a separate guide specifically about concrete finishes
and the suitability of different type of formwork plywood.

Included in this guide is information on specifying

‘CE marking‘ of plywood. The adoption by Architects
of CE Marking, which is an initiative under the European
Construction Products Directive, is a useful tool to ensure
products that are specified will be clearly identifiable on
the construction site and fit for the intended use.

This guide refers to EN standards – Please use the latest

version of the relevant standard in conjunction with local
building regulations.
The criteria used to assess
the type of plywood needed

CRITERIA
1. Structural or non structural application
2. Exposure – dry, humid or exterior application
3. Glue line – dry interior, covered exterior,
non covered exterior conditions
4. Wood species – e.g. birch or spruce
5. Grade (appearance) of face veneers

1. Structural or non structural application 4. Wood species

Plywood used in a structural application is required, Finnish plywood manufacturers only use 2 wood species:
under UK Building Regulations, to be in accordance Birch (Betula Pendula) and Spruce (Picea Abies) and this
with BS EN 1995-1-1 Structural use of Timber. WISA® is reflected in the 2 different types of plywood
Plywood Declarations of Performance (DoP), manufactured.
conforming to The Construction Products Regulation
EN13986, are available from www.wisaplywood.com “Birch throughout” which as the name suggests is an all
and can be used in accordance with BS EN 1995-1-1. birch veneer construction, generally all the veneers are of
Plywood used in non-structural applications are the same thickness (1.4 mm before sanding).
generally specified according to following criteria
listed below. “Spruce” which is an all spruce veneer construction,
commonly using thicker veneers than for “birch
2. Exposure Class throughout” construction.
BS EN 636 details the differing requirements
for plywoods in respect of exposure to humidity and 5. Grade (appearance) of face veneer
weather. BS EN 635 defines “Classification by surface
appearance”.
3. Glue Line
BS EN 314:Part 2 defines the performance Part 1 of the standard covers general matters common
requirements for the glue line which bonds the veneers to hardwood and softwood wood species.
together.
Part 2 details permissible defects in different grades of
NOTE: all plywood used in building and construction hardwood face veneers.
should be specified with a fully exterior glue line –
BS EN 314-2: Class 3, as there is always the risk of Part 3 details permissible defects in different grades of
temporary wetting on site. softwood veneers.
GRADES OF FINNISH BIRCH FACE VENEERS

Grade B (I) Grade S (II)

Grade BB (III) Grade WG (IV)

GRADES OF FINNISH SPRUCE FACE VENEERS

Grade G Grade II Grade III

The most commonly used grades:

If the face veneer is to be painted or covered; birch in grade III/III, spruce in grades G or II.
Reverse side and for structural end-uses, where surface appearance is not of primary importance, Spruce grade III.
For decorative work; Birch in grade I/IV or II/III.

SUMMARY OF USE CLASSES, GLUE LINE QUALITIES, REQUIREMENTS FOR PLYWOOD

USE CLASS Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5
EN 335 Dry conditions Risk of wetting/humid Exterior conditions In contact with ground/ In salt water
(20oC & 65% RH) conditions (frequently above fresh water (permanently (permanently
(20oC & 90% RH) 20% mc) above 20% mc) above 20% mc)
GENERAL SERVICE Dry, interior Covered, exterior Above ground, In contact with ground In salt water
SITUATION not covered or fresh water
MOISTURE CONTENT Dry Occasionally Frequently Permanently Permanently
OF PLYWOOD increased above 20% above 20% above 20%
BONDING CLASSES Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 3 Class 3
EN 314 -2 Dry Humid Exterior Exterior Exterior
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 636 – 1 636 – 2 636 – 3 Not appropriate Not appropriate
FOR PLYWOOD Dry conditions Humid conditions Exterior conditions
EN 636
Types of plywoods for structural applications
Type of USE CLASS 1/SC1
application dry conditions – structural
Type of fitting a new floor, which will subsequently be overlaid, in an existing building – excluding kitchens,
application bathrooms and other potentially ‘wet’ areas

Generic Finnish birch with face grade III/III or conifer plywood

product with face grade II/III

WISA WISA-Birch, WISA-Sprucefloor, WISA-Spruce, WISA-Spruce Special

plywoods

Standards • Structural plywood as listed in BS EN 1995-1-1.

• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in dry/humid conditions EN 636-2 S.
• Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.
• Suitable for use in BS EN 335 Use class 1.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
• Birch face grade to BS EN 635-2 or conifer face grade to BS EN 635-3.

Type of USE CLASS 2/SC2

application semi exposed – structural
Type of Flooring, wall sheathing, roof sarking, for domestic housing
application

Generic Finnish conifer plywood, face grade II/III – untreated, or possibly pressure treated for enhanced anti
product fungal protection

WISA WISA-Spruce, WISA-Spruce Special, WISA-Sprucefloor

plywoods

Standards • Structural plywood as listed in BS EN 1995-1-1.

• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in humid conditions EN 636-2 S.
• Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.
• Suitable for use in BS EN 335 Use class 2.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
• Face grade II/III to BS EN 635-3.

Type of USE CLASS 3/SC3

application fully exposed – structural – exterior conditions
Type of Exterior claddings, walkways, jetties, bridge decks
application

Generic Finnish birch or conifer plywood, coated, painted or otherwise further treated for full exterior applications
product

WISA WISA-Multifloor, WISA-Multiwall, WISA-Paintply (all sides and edges painted), WISA-Trans,
plywoods WISA-Truck

Standards • Structural plywood as listed in BS EN 1995-1-1.

• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in exterior conditions EN 636-3 S.
• Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.
• Suitable for use in BS EN 335 Use class 3.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
Types of plywoods for non structural applications
Type of USE CLASS 1
application dry conditions – non structural
Type of Decorative wall or ceiling linings for a new or existing building.
application

Generic Finnish Birch plywood with face grade I/IV or II/IV,

product Finnish conifer plywood with face grade II/III

WISA WISA-Birch, WISA-Birch Premium, WISA-Spruce, WISA-Spruce Special, WISA-Panel,

plywoods WISA-Decor, WISA-Paintply.

Standards • Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.

• Suitable for use in Use class 1 BS EN 335.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
• Birch face grade to BS EN 635-2 or conifer facegrade to BS EN 635-3.
• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in dry/humid conditions EN 636-2.

Type of USE CLASS 2

application semi exposed – non structural
Type of Soffit to underside of roof overhang
application

Generic Finnish birch or spruce plywood, coated, painted or otherwise treated to prevent surface discoloration
product

WISA WISA-Birch, WISA-Paintply, WISA-Spruce, WISA-Spruce Special

plywoods

Standards • Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.

• Suitable for use in Use class 2 BS EN 335.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in humid conditions EN 636-2.

Type of USE CLASS 3

application fully exposed – non structurals
Type of Facia panels, building site and advertising hoardings, signs
application

Generic Finnish birch or conifer plywood, coated, painted or otherwise further treated for full exterior applications
product

WISA WISA-Multiwall, WISA-Paintply (all sides and edges painted)

plywoods

Standards • Glue line conforming to BS EN 314-2 Class 3.

• Suitable for use in Hazard class 3 to BS EN 335.
• Plywood to conform to requirements of BS EN 636.
• CE marked to BS EN 13986 Plywood for use in exterior conditions EN 636-3.
 Paper: UPM Fine • Erweko Painotuote Oy, Helsinki 01/2017

www.wisaplywood.co.uk
www.upm.com e-mail: [email protected]