Found out plywood glue fails at 175 degrees

Was looking up fire ratings for a commercial job in Denver. Read some test results from the APA. Never realized standard plywood glue starts breaking down around 175 degrees. That's way lower than I thought. Most glue lines fail way before the wood even chars. Makes me wonder how many cabinet boxes I've installed near ovens or heaters are silently failing over time. Has anyone else seen actual failure from heat near cooking appliances?

2 comments

2 Comments

tylerw921mo ago

Used to just think of plywood as pretty tough stuff, but that's a real eye opener. You're making me rethink a few of my own kitchen installs now.

loganhart1mo ago

@tylerw92 that's exactly what I saw too, had a kitchen island countertop sag after years next to a stove, glue all cooked out.