Benefits of Luan Underlayment

Benefits of Luan Underlayment

Benefits of Luan Underlayment:

Cheap, Easy to Install, and Great for a Variety of Applications

Cheap:

Luan Underlayment is perfect for almost any project part of that is due to it's cost relative to other varieties of plywood underlayment. This is the usual reason you will see luan installed in so many home improvement projects, even though it's use has not been sanctioned by the American Plywood Association.

Easy to Install / Cut / Bend

Luan is a very resilent and durable plywood variety and because of this you will find that it is easy to work with and install. Great for projects where some bending, and intricate cutting is required.

Variety of Applications


Another benefit of Luan Wood is that it is great for a variety of hardwood projects and applications. Everythign from toys, to boats, to cabinets to flooring. There is a luan type to fit almost any need. And it can be customized to your specific use as well.

Main Use of Luan Plywood

The most prominent use of luan plywood at least in the west is for subflooring of hardwood, and vinyl or laminate flooring.

Luan plywood is also sometimes used as an underlayment for flooring, but should should only be used as a supplement to a more durable subfloor, mostly because of the danger of swelling from moisture intrusion. Luan can also be used for cabinet applications, such as for thin divider panels, as well as small wooden toys


Luan Plywood is made of veneer sheets

Veneer Sheets are usually made by putting together layers of Luan Wood, which are then glued together to form a composite material. They are mainly used with adjacent plies, having their wood grain at right angles to each other. This alternation of the grain wood is named cross-graining and has many important benefits: Luan Plywood Vaneers reduce the tendency of wood to split when nailed at the edges, this is a benefit for many at home projects, especially when you consider that most Do it at home renovators are on the jobs for the first time.


Plywood made with, Luan, is very inexpensive and it also has a smooth surface. 2’ x 4’ sheet of Luan plywood cost about $5 at the hardware store. Luan wood is simple to work with, and it's thinness allows for, the wood can be cut with a blade so there’s no need for a saw.

The downside of using Luan plywood is that it will warp if not secured on all corners. It also warps when it gets wet or is exposed to moisture. Luan plywood has many home improvement applications and is readily available at lumberyards and home improvement stores, such as Home Depot and Lowes.

Luan Plywood typically refers to a plywood panel 1/4 or, less commonly, 1/8 inch thick. Luan Plywood Origin : Luan plywood is manufactured from the lauan tree, which is a spieces native to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

Luan Plywood is also called Philippine mahogany or meranti. Recently Luan plywood , manufacturers have been making veneer from either white lauan (Shorea almon) or red lauan (S. negrosensis).

Is Luan Plywood Waterproof:

Luan plywood usually has only few defects which can be filled and sanded smooth using a plywood patch, but this means that the wood is best used for applications where it will be painted, or those applications where it is used as a support structure, such as in cabinets, so as not to show the corrections.
Like other plywoods, an exterior grade of luan exists which is made with waterproof glue. Although, I wouldn't personally recommend luan wood for projects which would be intentionally subjected to moisture exposure.




Bending Luan Wood Video
Installing Luan Wood Video
Cutting and Installing Vinyl Over Luan
Installing Luan Over Subfloor
Laying laminate over Subfloor
Making Tile Flush With Subfloor
Attaching Luan To Subfloor
Working With Luan For Do It Yourselfers