The benefits of birch plywood for residential architecture

We were proud to be featured in a recent edition of The Times of London, discussing our use of birch plywood to create a kitchen for an end terrace home in London. We thought we would take this opportunity to go into more detail about the advantages of using the material. Hopefully it inspires more people to consider using it in their own projects. One of the things that make us so successful at creating residential architecture in London is that we put a great deal of care into choosing every material. We focus on achieving the perfect results for our clients but also look at minimising the impact on the environment. Our knowledge and experience with different materials helps us to deliver that on every project.Birch plywood is fine grained and has a warm, smooth, pale finish. As a result it has a really elegant look. This makes it perfect for making bespoke cabinets for kitchens and other furnishings such as desks.Alongside the aesthetic benefits the ply is strong and durable. It is made by using layers of veneer bonded with resin. Individually each piece of timber would be weak but the layering and bonding boosts the strength and durability. The number of layers can vary to suit your needs. Three is generally the lowest but you can choose more if necessary.The smooth finish of birch plywood is great for safety as well as aesthetics. It means there will be very few knots and jagged edges. This is important for cabinets and furnishings as you don't want people to be at risk of getting hurt.Birch is a cost effective option that goes very well with other timbers. This means it can be used to create really beautiful interiors for kitchens and many other rooms.One of the reasons birch plywood is available at great prices is that the species is native to northern Europe and grows in abundance. The fast growing trees make it a renewable resource and its use can be much better for the environment than other timbers.At Coffey Architects we can help clients to explore different materials in this much detail and assist them with choosing the right one. If you are interested in residential architecture in London, whether you are designing a new build or regenerating your existing home, we can help.