Why plywood?

Why Plywood?

At Bothy.Studio we use plywood in our furniture.

There’s something honest about plywood. Each veneer is stacked cross-grain, layer on layer — visible proof of its making. You can see its structure and its surface. For us, that matters. Our furniture doesn’t hide what it is, and neither does the material. Plywood is made of layers that work together — like the people and places that shape it.

Strength in Structure

Plywood’s durability comes from how it’s built. Each layer’s grain runs perpendicular to the next, giving the board dimensional stability. Where solid wood may moves with the seasons plywood stays true.

“Plywood is generally more stable than solid wood … its multiple layers counteract wood’s natural tendency to shrink and expand.”
— This Old House

In practice, that means:

• Your table stays flat, even through damp winters and hot summers.

• Edges stay clean, without cupping or curling.

• Hardware holds fast, because there’s strength beneath every screw and joint.

The result is furniture that feels calm and capable — no fuss, no fragility. Just structure doing its job.

Why It Matters: Design That Lasts

Plywood’s stability allows us to design for longevity, not disposability. It’s the same principle behind the bothy itself — simple shelter built to endure.

Sustainability in Practice

Beyond structure, plywood has strong eco credentials — when responsibly sourced and finished with care.

• Efficient Use of Wood
  Thin veneers mean less waste per log. A single birch tree yields far more usable surface than solid timber cuts.

  “Plywood’s sustainability stems from its efficient use of wood resources.”
  — CutMy.co.uk

• Responsible Forestry
  Certified sources (FSC, PEFC) ensure healthy forests, ethical labor, and replanting practices.

  “Sustainably made plywood supports managed forests and circular economies.”
  — Wood Republic

• Low-VOC Adhesives
  Modern plywood now uses low-emission glues, improving both indoor air quality and environmental impact.

Longevity Is the Real Sustainability

Durability is the most underrated form of sustainability. Furniture that lasts twenty years instead of five reduces waste, energy, and the cycle of replacement. Plywood’s engineered structure means our shelves, benches, and tables are designed to live with you — not to be replaced by you.

Caring for Plywood (and Letting It Age)

A little care goes a long way: avoid standing water, wipe spills promptly, and enjoy the patina that comes with time. Our finishes are chosen to protect without hiding the wood grain or colour. Think of it less as “maintaining” and more as stewarding — a partnership between use and material.

In the End, It’s Simple

We like plywood because it is strong, straightforward, and honest. It lets us build furniture that’s easy to live with — not fancy, just enough.

That’s the Bothy way.