Operational guidelines
General operating rules
Plywood is a resistant, solid, and high-performance product, but its utilization as well as the conditions of its installation must be carried out in accordance with national and international rules or standards.
Transport & handling
During transportation, plywood panels should be placed on a clean, flat and dry supporting surface. They should be firmly fastened to avoid sliding and bending. When handling and moving the panels, take care to protect the edges.
Storage
Plywood panels should always be stored flat, in a dry place, without draft, on intermediate bearers and cler of the ground.
Mounting
Plywood can be fixed by mean of nails, screws, staples or glue. In case of nailing and screwing provision should be made fixings are not left protruding.
Machining
It is recommended that to carry out all cutting, machining, and pre-painting operations in the workshop. When processing with a band saw, it is acceptable to use tempered tipped blaces. For high quality cutting, the reverse side of the panel should be facing the saw bench. The latter should be equipped with a knife scorer and a board splitter. Best cutting results are obtained when sawing is made along the wood grain.
Installation
Being installed it is important that the panels are stabilised in the environment in which they will serve. This is particularly important if they have spent a prolonged period in a dry or damp environment. Provision should be made for a proper ventilation of the reverse side to eliminate condensation. Depening on the context of application it may be necessary to leave a gap to allow for expansion between each panel or at the perimeter of the construction.
Never in direct contact with water or soil. After cutting, it is essential to seal the edges with a waterproof material and to apply a protective undervoat on both sides. Provision for an expansion gap of 2 mm per metre between the panels is essential. The design of components should eliminate potential areas water collection and proper ventilation should be assured.
Finishing & maintenance
Applying any type of finish, it is recommended to carry out a test of the product on a sample piece to verify the compatibility between the finishing substance and the plywood itself. When plywood panels are used in exterior conditions, it is vital that they are installed in accordance with standard practice and follow our usage guidelines.
Protection and finishing of the faces, reverse sides, and edge sealing, along with maintenance at regular intervals, are essential to ensuring the longevity of the wood. In case no protection of maintenance is applied, the wood will alter, and this cannot be considered a defect. Over the years, it is possible that an alternation of the wood appearance occurs even if protected. This is a natural phenomenon and does not constitute a defect of the product.
