Plywood en Español: What Plywood Is Called in Spanish
“Plywood” in Spanish is most commonly contrachapado or madera contrachapada. In Mexico and Central America, lumberyards and home centers call it triplay instead. In Chile, Argentina, and much of South America, you’ll hear madera terciada. All four names describe the same cross-layered wood panel — the differences are regional, not technical.
If you searched “plywood en español,” you’re probably trying to translate the word for a supply list, a bilingual job site, or a trip to Lowe’s or Home Depot where signage and staff switch between English and Spanish. This page gives you the exact term for your region, the Spanish names for common plywood types and grades, and how the size numbers on the tag translate too.
Why Plywood Has More Than One Name in Spanish
Spanish has no single official word for plywood the way English does. Regional lumber industries developed their own terms, and all of them are correct — the right one depends on who you’re talking to.
| Spanish Term | Where It’s Standard | Register |
|---|---|---|
| Contrachapado / Madera contrachapada | Spain, and formal/technical use across Latin America | Standard, dictionary-correct |
| Triplay | Mexico, Central America, U.S. Southwest lumberyards | Everyday, most common at the counter |
| Madera terciada | Chile, Argentina, Peru | Everyday |
| Multilaminado | Parts of South America (industrial suppliers) | Technical |
| Triplex | Colombia | Everyday, sometimes a brand-generic term |
For a general U.S. Spanish-speaking audience, contrachapado reads as correct everywhere but slightly formal. Triplay is what most Mexican and Central American tradespeople actually say out loud at the yard.
Plywood Types and Grades in Spanish
Dictionaries translate the word “plywood” and stop there. Here are the specific type and grade terms you’ll actually need when reading a cut sheet or asking for material at a bilingual store.
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Plywood | Contrachapado / Triplay / Madera terciada |
| Sanded plywood | Contrachapado lijado / Triplay lijado |
| Marine plywood | Contrachapado marino / Triplay marino |
| Birch plywood | Contrachapado de abedul |
| Baltic birch plywood | Contrachapado báltico de abedul |
| MDF | Tablero de fibra de densidad media (MDF) |
| Particleboard | Aglomerado / Tablero de partículas |
| OSB | Tablero de virutas orientadas (OSB) |
| Veneer | Chapa / Enchapado |
| Ply (layer) | Chapa / Lámina |
| Core | Núcleo |
| Face (front side) | Cara |
| Grade (A/B/C/D) | Grado / Calidad |
| Exterior grade | Grado exterior / Para exteriores |
| Interior grade | Grado interior / Para interiores |
| Cabinet-grade | Calidad para gabinetes |
| Sheet | Lámina / Hoja / Placa |
| Wood glue | Pegamento para madera / Cola de carpintero |
Grade letters (A, B, C, D, CDX) aren’t translated — they’re used as-is in Spanish-language lumber contexts too, since they’re a U.S. plywood industry standard, not an English word. For what each grade letter actually means on the panel, the AC vs BC plywood grade breakdown covers the differences.
How to Use These Terms When Buying Plywood at Lowe’s or Home Depot
U.S. big-box stores sell plywood in imperial thickness and 4×8-foot sheets, but Spanish-language product tags and cut-desk tickets often list the metric equivalent right alongside it. Knowing both saves a trip back to the counter.
| U.S. Measurement | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1/4 inch | ~6 mm |
| 1/2 inch | ~12 mm |
| 3/4 inch | ~19 mm |
| 4 × 8 ft sheet | ~122 × 244 cm |
This matters most on 3/4-inch sheets, since that’s the thickness stocked heaviest for shelving, cabinets, and subfloor work. If that’s specifically what you’re shopping for, the 3/4 sanded plywood buying guide for Lowe’s covers pricing, sheet options, and what “sanded” (lijado) actually means for finish quality. For custom sizing, the plywood cut-to-size guide explains what in-store cut desks charge and how accurate the cuts actually are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is triplay the same thing as plywood?
Yes. Triplay is the everyday Spanish word for plywood used mainly in Mexico and Central America. It refers to the exact same cross-layered wood panel that English speakers call plywood and that formal Spanish calls contrachapado.
What is contrachapado used for?
Contrachapado is used for furniture, cabinetry, subfloors, roof and wall sheathing, and general construction — the same applications as plywood in English. The specific use depends on its grade and whether it’s rated interior or exterior.
What’s the difference between contrachapado and MDF?
Contrachapado (plywood) is built from thin wood veneer layers glued with the grain crossed for strength. MDF (tablero de fibra de densidad media) is made from compressed wood fibers instead of layered veneer, so it’s heavier, has no visible grain, and holds screws less securely at the edges.
How do you say “3/4 inch plywood” in Spanish?
“3/4 inch plywood” is “contrachapado de 3/4 de pulgada” or “triplay de 3/4 de pulgada,” roughly equal to 19 mm. Some suppliers label it by the metric size directly, as “contrachapado de 19 mm.”
