What is Laminated Wood?

Laminated wood is an engineered wood product composed of thin layers of wood, or veneers, that are glued together to make a stronger wood product. The layers are laid and glued with all wood grains parallel. Laminated woods are used in building applications, such as furniture and wall panels. Plywood is a stronger form of laminated wood, where the wood grains of each layer are laid perpendicular to each other.

History

Laminated woods were used in 1500 B.C. by the ancient Egyptians, and then later by the Greeks and Romans. They used the layer woods to make furniture, coffins and other works of carpentry.

Function

Laminated woods were used in the 1600s in the form of applying wood veneers to furniture.

Significance

In the late 1700s, plywood was developed and patented by Sir Samuel Betham from England. He developed machines to cut wood veneers, as well as the technique of joining the veneers with glue, to make a stronger wood product.

Fun Fact

Laminated woods were used only as a product for furniture making. It would take 100 years before the product was considered for commercial applications.

Considerations

Laminated woods were first used to make doors. Now, they are used in commercial vehicle construction and in many other building applications.