Greensboro, NC (PRWEB) July 15, 2015
Columbia Forest Products announces the launch of Plywood Panel Builder, an easy online tool for fabricators, architects, designers, contractors and consumers to develop their own custom specifications for plywood panels.
Housed on Columbia’s website at http://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/plywood-panel-builder, Plywood Panel Builder allows customers to construct just the right plywood panel for their needs using step-by-step directions and point-and-click functionality to spec the perfect panel solution.
And with many options to choose from regarding core materials, panel thicknesses, face and back species, plus finishes, the range of product configurations that are available is nearly limitless. Using the tool, customers can view a basic visual representation of the panel products and see the large range of hardwood plywood panels that are possible to order from Columbia.
Developed with ease of use in mind, the Plywood Panel Builder tool includes a series of simple steps covering the following specification categories:
- Core types – A choice of eight options ranging from MDF to industrial platforms and even Columbia’s own Radius™ bending plywood.
- Panel thickness – Eleven thicknesses ranging from 5/32” to 1-1/2”.
- Face and back – Nearly 100 real-wood face species cover the full range of natural decorative woods.
- Face grade and back grade – Six options are included for face grades, ranging from pristine “AA” to rustic “E” with characteristics such as knots and bark pockets. Four choices are included for back grades.
- Face cut and back cut – Four options are included – plain sliced, quarter sliced, rift cut and rotary.
- Face matching – Four match choices are included – book, plank, random and slip matching.
- Finish – Four durable, factory-applied finish types are offered, including some finishes that are available in a variety of color and topcoat options.
The Plywood Panel Builder tool is designed to make it equally easy for the novice or experienced wood specialist to build the right panel specifications for the job. At each step in the process, large photos are displayed along with links to further explanation or information if needed. Following the simple check-box procedures while stepping through the panel building exercise makes the entire process highly intuitive.
Moreover, users can customize as many plywood panels as they wish, and all specs can be downloaded or exported for project quoting purposes.
Speaking about the new Plywood Panel Builder online tool, Todd Vogelsinger, Columbia’s director of marketing remarked, “A key goal in developing this tool is to present the full range of possibilities to buyers in a way that’s easy for them to understand – even if they don’t have extensive experience in spec’ing plywood panels. It’s a great way to help them address all of the important decisions that go into building a great spec – and ensure that all of their expectations will be met when it comes to the appearance, functionality and durability of their finished pieces.”
Vogelsinger went on to note that the Plywood Panel Builder does not take the place of submitting a formal product order. “While each panel’s appearance may be consistent for a given species within a broad range, by their very nature no panel pieces can ever be exactly alike. Even wood from the same tree can vary in its physical properties and aesthetics,” he pointed out.
“In fact, if customers don’t find panel attributes or configurations on the Plywood Panel Builder that they think will meet their needs, it’s quite likely that we can manufacture those panels anyway. The best thing to do is ask, and the builder tool provides a great start to the process,” Vogelsinger added.
The online Plywood Panel Builder tool from Columbia Forest Products is accessible to anyone, free of charge following a simple registration process. It can be found at http://www.columbiaforestproducts.com/plywood-panel-builder. For more information about the Plywood Panel Builder tool, contact Columbia Forest Products’ marketing department at communications(at)cfpwood(dot)com.
About Columbia Forest Products
Established in 1957, Columbia Forest Products is America’s largest manufacturer of decorative hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer. An employee-owned company, it operates facilities throughout North America. It is a leader in sustainable forestry, as well as in developing innovative and environmentally friendly technologies and products for healthy indoor living.
Columbia Forest Products has provided fine decorative hardwood plywood veneer panels to North American fabricators for nearly 60 years. The company is committed to offering the industry’s widest product selection, manufactured in efficient, technologically advanced mills, and backed by exceptional service and product support.
Website address: http://www.columbiaforestproducts.com.
