Luan, also spelled lauan, refers to a tropical hardwood plywood product usually made from trees in the Shorea family. It has many home and hobby applications and is readily available at lumberyards and home improvement stores. The term typically refers to a plywood panel 1/4 or, less commonly, 1/8 inch thick.
The term luan comes from the lauan tree, native to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries. It is also sometimes called Philippine mahogany or meranti. Nowadays, manufacturers create veneer from either white lauan (Shorea almon) or red lauan (S. negrosensis). The veneers are glued together in layers to make a very soft plywood product with a smooth surface. The few defects are filled and sanded smooth, but this means that the wood is best used for applications where it will be painted, so as not to show the corrections. Like other plywoods, an exterior grade of luan exists which is made with waterproof glue.
Because of its pliable nature, luan is an excellent product for dollhouses, toys and other small craft projects that require thin wooden panels. It is used to make small boats and tools as well. It is easy to die-cut small parts out of the plywood. Luan is also sometimes used as an underlayment for resilient flooring, but professionals warn that it should only be used as a supplement to a more durable subfloor, mostly because of the danger of swelling from moisture intrusion. Luan is also used for some cabinet applications, such as for thin divider panels.
Origins and Production
According to Patriot Timber, Pacific Rim countries such as Japan and Taiwan first began manufacturing luan in the mid-20th century, importing huge supplies of hardwood lumber from Southeast Asia and the Philippines. The logs were perfect for creating this product because they were straight with stable wood fibers, consistent in color and easy to peel to make the veneers. Inevitably, as demand increased, the pressures on the southeast Asian supply of hardwoods increased and, by the 1990s, plywood manufacturers had widened their source materials to include hardwoods from other regions around the globe such as Africa, South America and the South Pacific. Because most of these source plantations were not sustainably harvested, the supply continued to dwindle. As of 2012, at least one company produces a luan-type plywood product that is promoted as being manufactured completely from sustainable, plantation-grown timbers.
Working With Luan
Because luan is so thin, it is a good idea to support both sides when cutting large sheets with a table or circular saw. When making delicate cuts with a jigsaw or handheld cutting tool, such as for toys or other crafts, there is a danger of splintering off the top veneer layer, which would ruin the look of the piece. Avoid this problem by first cutting through the topmost veneer layer with a utility knife, then keeping your cutting tool blade right next to this line. You will not avoid some damage to the reverse face veneer, but that side will usually be hidden from view in the final product.
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