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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
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    Melbourne
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    4

    Default Is plywood safe for indoor use?

    Hi,

    Sorry, first time poster. I've been googling around and searching the forums trying to find answers but thought I would ask anyway

    I want to build a large box to sit inside of around my office desk and chair at home - kind of a sensory deprivation box if you will - it will be located in my bedroom so I don't want to be killing myself while either in the box or sleeping at night so any gasses or emissions are a big concern

    In terms of materials I was thinking plywood but of course am concerned about any potential off-gassing of toxic fumes

    From what I have read I would be best to use pressure pressed exterior plywood or something rated E0? Does that sound correct? As interior plywood is apparently made with cheaper glues

    I am not planning to seal the plywood unless absolutely necessary. I considered using plasterboard but as there will be hinges for access doors on it that is not a suitable long-term material as it will wear out

    Any insight would be apprecaited

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    65
    Posts
    20

    Default

    Why not just save on doubling up...buy a coffin....forever useful.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4

    Default

    haha too luxurious!

    Seems bunnings doesn't have any plywood on their website now though there was some a couple of days ago - Might as well go fishing

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Up North
    Posts
    145

    Default

    Interior plywood is used for furniture, sometimes laminated with a nice timber and for kitchen cabinets et al.
    All my interior walls are plywood (timber house), so I believe you would be safe
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    bilpin
    Posts
    510

    Default

    Exterior grade ply would be even worse than interior ply. The fumes given off by exterior grade glues would be enough to send you rushing for a dose of fresh air. Then you say there are hinges and doors, doesnt sound like there is going to be much air flow. May be better to avoid man made products and stick with natural timber.
    The coffin idea isn't a bad one. They only become expensive in highgrade design or fitted out. Have you thought about the second hand market?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    gippsland
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    82

    Default

    Some exterior ply is also termite treated.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    723

    Default

    All types of interior or exterior ply made in Australia are glued with either an A, B, C or D gluebond - all are done using a formaldehyde glue and the difference is how well the glue stands up to heat and water. A is an exterior grade bond (phenol-formaldehyde), B is limited exposure (melamine fortified urea formaldehyde) and C and D are simply urea formaldehyde glues.

    Plywood, X-Board Plus, Timber Veneer, MDF, Particleboard: Facts About Plywood

    Personally I'd shy away from the very cheap imported products for a small enclosed box and use something from a more well known Australian supplier. You should even be able to pick up the horrible random grooved woodgrain ply wall panels fairly cheaply and nail them to a stud frame.

    You can pick the phenol-formaldehyde glues by eye as they have a very dark brown/black glueline.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    bilpin
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    Default

    The glue line is only part of the problem. Veneers for ply manufacture are usually treated for borer attack.
    These chemicals can be just as nasty as the glue. Imported ply may have undergone fumigation. just because a product is manufactured in Australia doesnt mean it is free of hazard. Much of what is pressed here has imported cheap veneers of unknown history.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Up North
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    145

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Master Splinter View Post
    You should even be able to pick up the horrible random grooved woodgrain ply wall panels fairly cheaply and nail them to a stud frame..

    I was told they don't make them anymore.
    When we bought the house all the walls were covered in that (shudder)
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
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    4

    Default

    Thanks for all of the replies. It pretty much is sounding like ply is out and natural timbers are the way to go.

    I am going to admit I really don't have much of an idea in what I am doing. If someone has a suggestion on a type of natural timber to use or the name of a recommended supplier I would be all ears. I am in Melbourne

    Also I have been looking for the type of wood used inside saunas - the logic being that it's under stressful environmental conditions and various facilities arn't worried about getting sued for using it. Western Red Ceder seems to be what they use

    At this point I am open to suggestions of how to do it though!

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    723

    Default

    Western Red Cedar contains plicatic acid which is known to cause an allergic reaction in some people, so long term exposure might not be a good idea.

    My general rule of thumb is that if you are looking for 'safe' timbers, you need to look at the least durable timbers (ie the ones that termites and borers and fungi and moulds love), as the most durable timbers don't have a 'most durable' rating because of some gentleman's handshake agreement with the bugs...nope, they are most durable as they have an efficient armoury of toxic chemicals that kill off bugs and fungi that try to make a meal from them.

    Pine is generally a good starting point!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Arundel Qld 4214
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    86
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    0

    Default Timber for inside use

    Do some research on Paulownia. Having read the earlier suggestions including use for a sauna I believe it ticks all the boxes. I used to grow and sell it so maybe a bit biased. However it is a light weight and coloured timber that is easy to work with. It is lighter than WRC but just a strong. The employees at the big sawmill don't wear any protective apparatus when milling and processing the timber. Nor did I. Port Phillip Plantation Shutters sells it in Melbourne.

    Whitewood

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    69
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    1,133

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by casualmondaus View Post
    I am going to admit I really don't have much of an idea in what I am doing. If someone has a suggestion on a type of natural timber to use or the name of a recommended supplier I would be all ears. I am in Melbourne

    At this point I am open to suggestions of how to do it though!
    if you're looking to avoid the POS syndrome, perhaps a simple frame draped with a sheet or blanket is the go
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
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    4

    Default

    Thanks, I'll have a look into Paulownia. Could be a possibility

    Quote Originally Posted by ian View Post
    if you're looking to avoid the POS syndrome, perhaps a simple frame draped with a sheet or blanket is the go
    I should have mentioned it in an earlier post but it needs to keep a reasonable amount of the noise from inside the box from escaping the room - I realise this is all sounding a bit weird. I'm not fussed if it looks like a POS It's going to be about 19sqm (excluding the floor area) so a frame draped in blankets that would muffle noise would still add up in price going down that road

    After reading some about Perspex safety I'm wondering if that might be the go.. though it's getting away from being wood work related

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    69
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by casualmondaus View Post
    I should have mentioned it in an earlier post but it needs to keep a reasonable amount of the noise from inside the box from escaping the room - I realise this is all sounding a bit weird.
    yes it is
    why can't you wear head phones or just shut the door?
    I'm not fussed if it looks like a POS
    I meant POS = parent over shoulder


    this is sounding more and more like a HSC assignment
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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