Flexible Plywood Sheets
(4 Products)Flexible Plywood is an engineered wood product designed to flex and bend without breaking. Flexi ply achieves its signature flexibility through an innovative construction process where multiple layers of thin plies are pressed together in the same grain orientation. It is widely used in applications where curved or rounded surfaces are required. Otherwise referred to as 'bendy plywood', this high-quality sheet material can bend in all manner of ways and is both moisture-resistant and termite-proof. This duality of resistance ensures it holds up well in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms where exposure to water and humidity is high.
What Is Flexible Plywood?
Flexible plywood, often referred to as bendable or Flexi ply, is a highly versatile engineered plywood designed to bend and curve with ease, making it ideal for applications requiring rounded or intricate shapes. Its remarkable flexibility is achieved through a unique construction of thin, closely bonded veneer layers, which allow it to bend without cracking or breaking.
Unlike traditional plywood, it lacks the rigid cross-layering that restricts movement, giving it the pliancy needed for creative designs. Flexi ply veneers are all oriented with their grains in the same direction. This is called unidirectional layering and allows the board to bend more easily along one axis. Short grain variants bend in the width and long grain at the length.
Commonly used in furniture making, interior design, and architectural projects, flexible plywood is perfect for crafting curved walls, ceilings, and custom furnishings. While it offers unparalleled adaptability and ease of shaping, it is generally less strong than regular plywood and often requires additional finishing to enhance its durability and appearance.
Where Is Flexible Plywood Used?
Suitable for applications that require bends, flexible plywood is ideal for creating curved surfaces in furniture and decorative projects (e.g. to board a circular building post/pillar).
Flexible plywood products are suitable for use in the following applications:
- Cabinetry
- Wavy walls
- Staircases
- Shelves
- Modernist and decorative furniture - where curves are required
- Arches and columns
- Furniture making
- Model making
- Shop Fittings
- General joinery
Flexible Plywood Benefits
- Extremely flexible - can be bent into any shape without chipping, cracking, peeling, or staining
- Can be bent by hand - more advantageous than wooden counterparts
- Price-effective material
- Excellent seam-hiding qualities
- Ready to paint or stain
- High-quality finish suitable for most types of decoration - internal use
Flexible Plywood Properties: Understanding Its Pliancy
To better understand what endows flexible plywood with its characteristic 'whippy' composition, we must first get to grips with the way the sheets are manufactured.
Flexible bending plywood is achieved by laying each individual layer (ply), with the grain direction running the same way on all the layers that make up the panel.
Unlike regular plywood (where the grains of each layer are pressed in a perpendicular direction in a cross-grain design), the grain direction of Flexi ply endows the sheets with its unrivalled pliancy.
Flexible Ply Thickness
Flexi ply thicknesses range from 3mm to 16mm.
Please note - the bending radius will vary according to the thickness of the sheet.
Frequently Asked Flexible Plywood Questions
What's The Difference Between Cross-Grain & Long-Grain Flexi Ply?
Flexible plywood is available in both long grain ('column wrap') and cross grain ('barrel wrap') orientation.
- Cross-grain - the short edge of the sheet bends to join with the opposite short grain edge - the grain pattern goes across the sheet.
- Long grain - the long edge of the sheet bends to join with the opposite long edge - the grain of the outermost plies is parallel or nearly parallel to the long edge of the panel.
In simpler terms, Flexi ply achieves its pliancy through the orientation of the grain in its veneers. For instance:
- Long-grain flexible plywood: Bends along the length of the sheet.
- Cross-grain flexible plywood: Bends along the width of the sheet.
What Are Some Other Names For Flexible Plywood Sheets?
- Curve-Ply
- Flexply
- Wacky Wood
- Wiggle wood
- Bending Plywood
Can Flexible Plywood Be Painted?
Flexi ply can be waxed, painted, stained, oiled or lacquered to achieve your desired aesthetic.
Related Articles
Waterproofing Plywood
A Beginner’s Journey: Installing Flooring Plywood
Plywood Types: The Four Main Varieties
