All About Baltic Birch Wood

Controversially, Baltic birch wood is not a specific species of birch but a designation of plywood, originated in Russia, Finland and the Baltic region. It is considered to be of high quality and is popular among carpenters and woodworkers.

SUMMARY The plywood is made fully from birch piles without additional softwood or filler plies. Due to the fact that there is no filling in the center, the plies tend to be thinner and allow for more stiffness and stability.

Baltic Birch Grades

The grading for Baltic Birch wood was established by the Russian Federation intergovernmental standard called GOST 3916.1-96. The grading is given to the front and the back of the panel. (Ex: "B/BB" - "B" for the front and "BB" for the back side). Grading is given as the two outer faces of the plywood, in the format of front/back. For instance, baltic birch with a "B/BB" grade would have a "B" grade front ply, and a "BB" grade back ply. A: Nearly perfect condition of the face and back sides. B: Uniform color, no plugs or cracks and splits. Minor color inconsistency is allowed. BB: Overall the color is uniformed, however color stains are allowed. Limited amount of cracks and splits, as well as the pin knots are allowed. CP: Less consistent color and visible defects, unlimited amount of plugs and cracks. C: Utility grade; inconsistent color and large defects such as knots, pins, cracks and splits.

Is Baltic Birch Worth It?

1. Screw Holding As traditional veneer core plywood is made out of softer materials, screws do not have enough to clench to the base. Similar issue is visible with MDF boards (medium-density fiberboard). What makes Baltic birch standout from the rest? Due to the core layer of Baltic birch being veneers of birch instead of secondary wood, it forms a void-free core, which allows screws to hold with 100% of their threads. 2. Cleaner Joinery The core of Baltic Birch is free of voids, and the joinery will not suffer from glue starvation ( joinery will get 100% glue coverage). Therefore, you will not have to deal with any inconsistencies and will get clean rabbets, dovetails, joints, etc. This perk makes Baltic Birch panels stand out from the rest of the materials, as smooth veneer will only benefit your art/woodworking project. 3. Strength and Stability As Baltic birch is a wood product, it is prompt to bowing, which is a type of warp that commonly affects plywood. Yet, Baltic birch reacts to warping much better than the rest of the plywood, especially in thicknesses such as 1/2" and 3/4". The layers of 1.5 mm thick veneer makes the sheet more stable and flatter, which is not common for thinner plywood of1/8" and 1/4" veneers, as larger pieces will not be able to remain flat. However, the fact that big pieces of thinner plywood do not have the same qualities, it does not strike a problem, as many artists and woodworkers use thin plies for bottom drawers, cabinet backs, which do not require a big size and can keep its flexibility and sturdiness for a long period of time. 4. Long-Lasting Beautiful Appearance. When it comes to working with wood, it is crucial to select a durable material that will also benefit the visual aspect of your project. Luckily, Baltic birch may easily be your first choice, as aside from being sturdy, it also has a beautiful grain and can be stained and polished with no hesitations. It is also known to be resistant to the process of decaying, which will benefit your work in the long run.

Baltic Birch's Corners Baltic Birch Plies

Baltic Birch in the Art World

If you chose to work with Baltic Birch for your upcoming project, do not hesitate... you made the right call! Aside from already mentioned perks of this plywood, you do not need to worry about the edges of the panel, as the core of Baltic Birch is free of voids, and the exposed edges may even benefit your final work. Simply sand and finish the edges as they are. These panels will look good when sanded, shaped and finished and will give you a chance to get creative. Painting Many artists choose to work with Baltic birch woods, as they are incredibly durable and do not require much preparation work. It is important to prepare the surface for your creative endeavors and make sure it's smooth on both sides and all corners. There are 4 most common types of finishes when working with Baltic birch: Clear water-based polyurethane: This finish can be easily spayed, rolled on or brushed and is considered the most durable option. Soap finish: It is an affordable and easy to use finish, however may need to be applied more than once as the effect will not last for too long on the first try. Clear lacquer: It is more complicated in usage and may require some extra time, yet it is one of the most long-lasting protection. Stain: In order to add stain on the surface, we suggest using a pre-stain conditioner in order to add some color. You may also use gel, as Baltic birch tends to absorb the color unevenly. Sculpture Baltic Birch can satisfy multiple mediums and is very handy when it comes to carving wood into decorative pieces. It could be a small model of a ship or an airplane or a bigger reproduction of a car, train, etc. Engraving There are so many fields in which Baltic birch comes in handy. It is a perfect surface for laser cutting and engraving due to its density. It can be used for any engraving project without harming the surface of the panel. Baltic Birch plywood makes a great canvas for painters to create beautiful works of art, and sculptors can carve this wood into decorative artistic pieces. Crafting projects, such as model airplanes, ships, and cars can also be made out of this versatile plywood. Baltic Birch is an incredible material which allows many artists, architects, sculptors and woodworkers to create breathtaking products that will last a long time in perfect condition.

Painting on Baltic Birch Sculpturing with Baltic Birch Engraving on Baltic Birch

Additional Resources

Do you want to learn more about Bamboo Painting Panels? Click here to find out. Would you like to see the process behind printing on wood? Click here to learn more. Would you like to know how to sell your artwork online? Click here to learn more.

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