Yes, 5.5mm plywood is the standard choice for cabinet and wardrobe backing. Its main job is to provide "racking resistance," which keeps the furniture square and prevents it from leaning or wobbling side-to-side.












1 Review
View Product Reviews5.5mm Non-Structural Hardwood Plywood Sheet 2440mm x 1220mm (8' x 4')
| 15+ sheets | 30+ sheets | 75+ sheets |
| £10.19ex. VAT | £9.98ex. VAT | £9.56ex. VAT |
Coverage required
Express Delivery
Mon 8 Jun
Standard Delivery
Tue 9 Jun
- 0days
- 7hrs
- 25mins
- 38secs
lock Secure checkout (powered by Stripe)
Key Features
- {{home}} Decorative and light joinery use
- {{verified_user}} Suitable for humid conditions when sealed
- {{fitness_center}} Resists warping and bending
- {{wb_shade}} Intended for interior or covered use
Technical Specification
| URN: | 4002012 |
|---|---|
| Product: | Hardwood |
| Application: | Floors, roofs, walls |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage: | Exterior (if treated), Interior |
| Thickness: | 5.5mm |
| Width: | 1220mm |
| Length: | 2440mm |
| Weight: | 10kg |
| Sales Unit: | Sheet |
| Sales Unit Coverage: | 2.98m2 |
| Moisture Resistant: | No |
| Grade: | BB / CC |
| Wood Species: | Poplar |
| Facing: | Hardwood |
| Edge: | Square |
| Bond Class: | BS EN636-2 (Class 2) |
| Finish: | Veneer |
| Formaldehyde Level: | E1 (low) |
| Country of Origin: | China |
Product Overview
Non-structural hardwood plywood sheet, measuring 2440mm x 1220mm (8' x 4') with a 5.5mm thickness.
Made from cross-laminated hardwood veneers, kiln-dried and bonded with moisture-resistant adhesive, classified to EN636-2 (suitable for humid interiors or sheltered exteriors when sealed), it provides high strength, stability, and impact resistance.
Commonly used for wall panelling, drawer bottoms, and cabinet linings, the smooth hardwood face is pre-sanded, allowing for painting, staining, or clear finishing where appearance matters.
Features & Benefits
- Cross-grained veneer construction: Improves dimensional stability and reduces warping.
- Humidity-Stable Bond: Meets EN636-2 standards for humid environments. While the adhesive is moisture-resistant, the wood requires a protective coating to prevent rot and water damage if used in wet areas or outdoors.
- Non-structural classification: Decorative and light joinery uses only.
- Hardwood face veneers: Smooth, sanded finish ready for paint, stain, or clear coatings.
- Lightweight and workable: Easy to cut, drill, and handle.
- Standard sheet size (2440mm x 1220mm): Compatible with common joinery formats, minimises waste.
- Thickness 5.5mm: Suited to light joinery and decorative applications.
Please Note: Colour and finish are representative only and may vary slightly as this is a natural product.
Applications
- Floor underlayment: 5.5mm thickness provides a smooth, flat levelling layer over existing floorboards to prepare surfaces for LVT, vinyl, or linoleum.
- Wall and ceiling cladding: Lightweight profile serves as a stable internal lining for residential and commercial partitions where a natural wood finish is required.
- Van and vehicle lining: Hardwood construction provides a durable, impact-resistant surface for the internal walls and ceilings of commercial vehicle conversions.
- Furniture components: 5.5mm ply is used for high-capacity drawer bottoms, cabinet back-panels, and internal dividers; for guidance on construction, see how to build drawers with plywood.
- Bespoke templates and jigs: Rigid yet lightweight properties allow for the creation of accurate full-scale templates for worktop and staircase installations.
- Exhibition and display panels: Suitable for constructing portable, reusable display boards and temporary information stands in retail or event settings.
- Model making and crafts: Thin-profile hardwood provides a stable, paintable substrate for detailed architectural models and dollhouse construction.
Installation Guidance
- Condition the boards: Store panels flat in the installation environment for at least 48 hours to allow the moisture content to stabilise.
- Seal all edges: Apply a wood sealer or primer to all factory and site-cut edges to prevent moisture ingress and edge swelling.
- Use appropriate fixings: Secure the board using staples, brad nails, or small-gauge screws at 100mm intervals along the perimeter.
- Apply adhesive where required: Use a high-quality wood glue in conjunction with mechanical fixings for a permanent, rattle-free bond in furniture applications.
- Avoid structural loading: Ensure this material is not used for flooring, roofing, or any application required to support significant weight.
- Fit in controlled conditions: Intended for interior or covered use; for permanent exterior exposure, use a marine-grade alternative.
Compliance & Performance
- Service class: EN 636-2, verified for use in humid internal conditions or protected exterior applications.
- Bonding quality: EN 314-2 Class 2, ensuring the glue line performance is maintained in humid environments.
- Non-structural note: This product is not CE/UKCA marked for permanent structural use in construction.
- Important note: This product must be fully sealed on all faces and edges with an appropriate preservative or coating if used in sheltered exterior locations to prevent moisture-related degradation.
Delivery & Returns Information
Delivery charges vary by product category and order value. Items may ship from different suppliers and arrive separately, so delivery charges can be shown per part of your order at checkout.
Standard (Nationwide) Delivery
|
Core Products Core
|
|
|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £300 ex. VAT | £30 ex. VAT |
| Over £300 ex. VAT | FREE |
Core Delivery charges apply only when all products in an order that have equivalents are accepted as such. If even one product cannot be substituted with an equivalent, the entire order will not qualify for Core Delivery charges.
| Timber & Sheet, Building Materials, Joinery and Gardens & Landscaping Products | |
|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £300 | £25 ex. VAT |
| Over £300 ex. VAT | FREE |
Express Delivery
| Express Delivery - Timber & Sheet, Building Materials, Joinery and Gardens & Landscaping Products | |
|---|---|
| ORDER VALUE | DELIVERY CHARGE |
| Under £300 | £50 ex. VAT |
| Over £300 ex. VAT | £35 ex. VAT |
How delivery works
We work with a nationwide network of trusted suppliers. Items in your basket may be supplied by different suppliers and delivered separately. Where this applies, you will see delivery charges shown at checkout for each part of your order. We always aim to group products from the same supplier to keep delivery costs as low as possible.
Delivery areas
Delivery charges apply to mainland UK, excluding: AB, CA, CF, DD, DG, EH, EX, FK, KA, KW, KY, IV, LA, LD, LL, ML, NP, PA, PH, PL, SA, SY, TR, TQ and TD.
If your address is in one of these areas, we will contact you before processing your order to confirm any additional costs. We do not currently offer delivery outside the UK mainland.
What to expect on delivery day
- Deliveries are typically kerbside.
- Please ensure someone is on-site to accept delivery. For heavier items, help with offloading may be required.
- Many building materials arrive on large vehicles. If access is restricted, a specialist vehicle such as a HIAB may be required and could incur an additional charge.
Why delivery can cost more than typical parcel delivery
Building materials often travel on larger vehicles and usually carry fewer drops per run than parcel networks. That is why delivery charges can be higher than standard e-commerce shipping.
Returns
Returns depend on what you have bought and whether there is anything wrong with it. For full details on eligibility, timeframes, and exclusions, please see our full policy.
Customer Reviews
this ply has many benefits. is flexible and has consistent strength throughout. good price and long lasting!
Leave a Review
Questions and Answers
Is 5.5mm plywood strong enough for backing?
Can 5.5mm plywood be used for drawer bottoms?
Yes, 5.5mm plywood is ideal for drawer bottoms in small to medium drawers. It is lightweight and fits easily into standard grooves, though it may sag if used for very wide drawers or heavy tool storage. For a detailed guide on construction methods, check out this blog on how to build drawers with plywood.
can non structural 5.5mm plywood be used as a subfloor to lay LVT over?
This is not recommended as a subfloor for Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)