Oak edge glued panels vs. plywood

Main similarities between plywood and edge glued panels made of oak, birch, and pine.

• Both commodities contain wood in their construction. For oak edge glued panels, the initial source is either full length oak lamellas with width approximately 50-65 mm (occasionally even 120 mm upon request) or short planks with length 30-40 mm. Birch plywood typically uses birch veneer with thicknesses about 1,5 mm.
• Both items are made using glue. Melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins are broadly applied in the manufacturing of plywood. D-4 (PVA-adhesive) resin is mostly used in oak edge-glued panel manufacture.The basic standard for glue use in the fabrication of edge-glued panels is EN 204 - class of thermoplastic wood adhesives for non-structural applications.
• Furniture application. In the manufacture of furniture, high-grade plywood and oak edge-glued panels are both widely implemented.

Edge-glued panels' and plywood's differences

• Structural integrity. When compared to edge-glued panels, plywood's unique design, in which each new layer is displaced by 90 degrees from the one before it, makes it simpler to withstand a weight load.
• Water resistance. Depending on the amount of free formaldehyde present, WBP plywood can be utilized both indoors and outside. Unfortunately, finger joint boards and solid wood panels are not suitable for usage outside.

Actually, there are a lot of contentious debates surrounding plywood and edge-glued panels made of oak or birch. Here is one of such examples about application of edge glued panels for bed construction.