EN 314-2: what do the bonding classes of plywood mean?
October 2 , 2026
When selecting plywood for construction, transport or industrial applications, it is not only the wood used or the mechanical strength that matters. It is also essential to understand how the bond between the different veneers responds to moisture.
Poor bonding performance can lead to delamination of the panel, i.e. the separation of the layers that make it up.
The EN 314-2 standard establishes the bonding quality classes for plywood and defines the tests required to assess the performance of bonded joints under different moisture conditions.
The 3 bonding classes
The standard establishes three bonding quality classes, associated with different exposure conditions:
| Class | Terms of Use | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Dry interior | Furniture, wall coverings and other protected indoor applications |
| Class 2 | Damp interior or protected exterior | Applications in environments with occasional exposure to moisture |
| Class 3 | Exterior conditions | Applications exposed to more demanding moisture conditions |
It is important to note that the bonding class alone does not determine the overall suitability of a panel for a specific application.
Other factors should also be considered when selecting the right product, such as the wood species, durability, thickness, surface finish and conditions of use.
How is bonding quality tested?
The classification is not based solely on the characteristics of the adhesive. The panels undergo shear tests after different water treatments, which make it possible to assess the strength of the bonds between the veneers.
The aim is to verify that the bonded joints maintain adequate performance after the treatments established by the standard.
EN 314-2 and EN 636: what is the difference?
Although both standards commonly appear together in plywood technical data sheets, they do not assess exactly the same thing.
- EN 314-2: establishes the bonding quality classes through specific tests.
- EN 636: classifies plywood according to the intended conditions of use and its behaviour under environmental exposure.
Information from both standards may be required to correctly interpret the performance of a plywood panel.
Bonding in HTPLY technical plywood
At HTP Global Group, through HTPLY, we work with technical plywood designed for demanding applications in sectors such as construction, transport and industry.
Our plywood panels comply with the requirements established by the EN 314-2 standard, ensuring the quality of the bonded joints and their performance under the moisture conditions corresponding to each class.
The range includes different plywood solutions, with different core configurations, face veneers, thicknesses and bonding types to meet the requirements of each application.
Would you like to learn more about the specifications of our plywood solutions? Contact our technical team.
