How does laminated wood differ from plywood?

Laminated wood indeed consists of layers of wood that are arranged with parallel grain orientation. This means that each layer is typically aligned in the same direction, providing enhanced strength and stability along that grain direction. The parallel arrangement contributes to its ability to resist warping and splitting, thus making it particularly useful in applications where structural integrity is critical.

In contrast, plywood is constructed from multiple layers of veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their grains oriented perpendicular to one another. This cross-graining helps distribute loads and improves the plywood's overall strength and stability, especially against warping and twisting. However, this structural configuration differs fundamentally from how laminated wood is layered.

The thickness of laminated wood compared to plywood is not a defining factor, as both materials can be manufactured in various thicknesses. Additionally, while laminated wood is designed for strength, it is not inherently weaker than plywood; rather, each serves specific purposes based on their unique properties and construction methods. Hence, the characteristic of laminated wood having parallel grain layers is what distinctly sets it apart from plywood.