Berta Store · Plywood comparison
Choosing sheets for cabinets, shelving, or furniture? Compare Berta’s unfinished BB/BB Baltic birch with the clear UV-finished Birch option in our prefinished plywood range.
The quick answer: choose unfinished Baltic birch when you want an all-birch core and control over the final finish. Choose UV prefinished birch when you want factory-finished faces for the cabinet interior. The core changes too: the prefinished Birch option uses a poplar core.
Choose unfinished Baltic birch if…
For a visible clear-finished face, inspect a sample first. A clear coat will not hide face patches.
Choose UV prefinished birch if…
The 6 mm Birch option is finished on one face. Cut edges, joinery, and edge treatment still need a plan.
This compares two specific Berta products. “Prefinished” describes a surface treatment; it does not identify the core construction.
On a small screen, swipe the table horizontally to see both products.
| What to compare | Unfinished Baltic birch BB/BB | UV prefinished Birch option |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Birch veneers through the core. | Multi-ply poplar core with birch face veneer. |
| Surface | Both faces unfinished and sanded. | Factory-applied UV-cured clear finish. |
| Face appearance | BB/BB; patches are allowed on both faces. | Listed as Grade A birch. Review a sample for color, grain, and sheen. |
| Finished faces | No factory finish on either face. | 18 mm and 12 mm: both faces. 6 mm: one face. |
| Sheet size | Listed as 4 × 8 ft (1220 × 2440 mm). | Listed as 4 × 8 ft (48 × 96 in). |
| Listed thicknesses | 5, 12, 18, and 21 mm. | 6, 12, and 18 mm in the Birch option. |
| 18 mm price / sheet | $99.90 USD | $87.99 USD |
| Work to allow for | Surface preparation, finish testing and application, drying time, and edge treatment. | Protect the finished faces during cutting and assembly; plan edge treatment and suitable joints. |
| Before choosing | Check face patches, finish compatibility, and actual thickness. | Check sheen, which faces are finished, actual thickness, and that “Birch” is selected. |
The two grade labels are not a direct grading-system equivalence. Sizes are product listing dimensions; measure the actual panel before cutting fitted parts. A 5 mm sheet is not interchangeable with a 6 mm sheet.
Both cards refer to nominal 3/4 in (18 mm), 4 × 8 sheets. Prices and availability come from the selected Shopify variants.
Unfinished · All-birch core
Shown: 3/4 in (18 mm) · 4 × 8 sheet
$99.90 USD / sheet
Available to order · Confirm fulfillment before ordering.
Clear UV finish · Poplar core
Shown: Birch / 3/4 in (18 mm) · 4 × 8 sheet
$87.99 USD / sheet
Available to order · Confirm fulfillment before ordering.
Photos illustrate the products; wood color, grain, and patch placement vary. Sheet prices do not include shipping or applicable taxes. Review bulk pricing for larger orders and confirm the final total at checkout.
Unfinished BB/BB Baltic birch
The unfinished sheet gives you control over the final surface. Before committing to a clear coat, stain, or paint system, test it on a sample and decide whether BB/BB patches suit the visible faces.
For cabinet boxes and shelves, plan which faces need finishing before assembly. For furniture with exposed plywood edges, inspect the edge appearance and include edge preparation in your schedule.
Need a different face grade? See BB/BB vs B/BB Baltic birch.
UV prefinished Birch option
The clear UV finish is already on the listed faces, which can remove a face-finishing step when that color and sheen suit the project. It is a practical choice to consider for cabinet interiors and closet components.
Cutting exposes the core at the edges. Decide how those edges will be covered or finished, protect the faces during machining, and check your adhesive or joint requirements before assembly.
Do not assume a new coating will bond to the factory finish. Confirm compatibility with the coating supplier and test first.
Compare face patches, grain, sheen, and core appearance in person. Use the unfinished sample to test your intended finish. Sample pieces are not full sheets.
The Baltic birch sample selection is BB/BB unfinished. The prefinished sample selection is Birch / 3/4 in. Confirm available sample options on the linked pages.
01 · Match the panel
Select the right material option and check which faces are finished. Measure actual thickness before sizing grooves, dados, or fitted parts.
02 · Plan the cut list
Include grain direction, saw kerf, and edge treatment. Use the plywood cut-list calculator to plan the sheets.
03 · Arrange fulfillment
Confirm your destination, order size, and unloading plan. Review plywood delivery details before placing the order.
The Birch option compared here has birch face veneer over a poplar core. The unfinished BB/BB product has an all-birch core. Berta also sells other Baltic birch surface options; browse the Baltic birch collection if you want to keep an all-birch core.
If its factory clear finish suits your project, the UV prefinished Birch option already has that finish on both faces at 18 mm and 12 mm. The 6 mm option has one finished face. Unfinished BB/BB needs the preparation and finish you choose; cut edges and assembly still need attention with either sheet.
Check the appearance you want against a sample. BB/BB allows face patches on both sides, and a clear finish keeps those patches visible. Compare the BB/BB and B/BB face grades before choosing a panel for a prominent face.
No. The unfinished BB/BB listing includes 5 mm, while the prefinished Birch listing includes 6 mm. That difference affects grooves, fit, and the finished assembly. Confirm the actual panel thickness and design requirements before substituting one for the other.
The listed UV finish is on the panel faces. A new cut exposes the core. Plan edge banding or another appropriate edge treatment for your application, and test the method before production.
Use the live 18 mm prices above as a starting point, then add your finishing materials, time, edge treatment, waste, and delivery. The lower total depends on your project and existing finishing process; the sheet price alone cannot answer it.
Tell us the application, thickness, visible faces, desired finish, quantity, and delivery ZIP code. We can help confirm the listed options before you order.