Time for my promised review.
I received my samples a couple of days ago and like most people I like getting free samples. I opened the box which was adequately packed, a piece of bubble pack was used to keep the samples from shifting and all were in good condition. Each sample was shrink wrapped in clear plastic accompanied be a product brochure.
On the Columbia Forrest Products Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
, plywood is separated into two basic categories, Faces and Cores.
I received two Face samples and two Core samples. The face samples are from their Appalachian Traditions™ line, in Laurelton Birch and Madison Cherry, pic 1. These two samples are 1/2" thick with one face finished with a clear coating.
The cherry sample had a defect in the finished face, about the size of a quarter, pic 2. I was surprised that this was an acceptable finished product, especially a sample. The defect is unsightly and not patched well at all, leaving voids in an otherwise smooth surface.
The next two samples are MPX® core and Europly PLUS® lines. I chose Maple and Walnut respectively, pics 3 & 4..
Both of these samples came finished with a clear UV finish on both faces. In the case of the MPX core this makes it difficult, if not impossible to evaluate their claims of how well it accepts a finish.
The europly plus is basically baltic birch plywood with some different face veneers available.
The Home Depot website currently only offers a Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to
or
of what is available from CFP. There are other retailers that carry their products that can be found on the CFP site.
Although this program is in it's early stages, there are things that need to be addressed IMO.
While the actual products have many positive qualities, as noted in their literature, figuring out what face and what core and what finish is all a bit of a maze.
It can get quite confusing trying to wade through every trade marked name, process and environmental standard for each product, CARB, LEED®, FSC®, PureBond, and the list goes on and on.
At this point it is unclear exactly what product is sold through HD's website. I will be sending CFP an email inquiring about these things.
In conclusion, I would have to say I have mixed feeling about this product and it's availability. I hope to learn more soon.
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