Construction and Materials
Boise Cascade offers a range of engineered wood products, primarily focusing on structural panels such as plywood and sheathing. These materials are essential components in residential and commercial construction, providing foundational support and structural integrity.
The construction of Boise Cascade's plywood products typically involves layering thin veneers of wood. These veneers are rotary peeled from logs, then dried and sorted. Each layer, or ply, is oriented perpendicular to the grain of the adjacent layers. This cross-laminated construction is what gives plywood its exceptional strength and stability, allowing it to resist warping, shrinking, and swelling.
The veneers are bonded together using waterproof adhesives under heat and pressure. The type of adhesive used is critical for the product's performance, especially in exterior applications or where moisture exposure is a concern. Boise Cascade utilizes high-quality resins to ensure a durable bond that can withstand various environmental conditions.
Materials used in Boise Cascade's plywood products include:
- Wood Veneers: Sourced from high-quality timber, these thin sheets form the core of the plywood panel. Common wood species used for plywood include Douglas Fir, Southern Pine, and Spruce, depending on the product grade and intended application.
- Adhesives: These are crucial for bonding the wood veneers together. Boise Cascade employs advanced adhesive systems, often including phenolic or urea-formaldehyde resins, to ensure structural integrity and moisture resistance.
Boise Cascade also offers sanded plywood. This product undergoes an additional step in its manufacturing process where the surface of the plywood is sanded smooth. This creates a superior finish, making it ideal for applications where appearance is important or where a smooth surface is required for subsequent finishing treatments like painting or staining.
The structural panels, including plywood and sheathing, are designed to meet stringent building codes and industry standards. They are engineered for consistent performance, providing reliable load-bearing capacity and dimensional stability for framing, subflooring, roofing, and wall sheathing applications.
