International Wood International Wood 2008 | Page 16

Lauan’s same characteristic lightweight
versatility and durability that made it a
household name (among television set builders)
has earned it a reputation as an irreplaceable
facet of the silver screen.
In addition to sets, Cinnabar uses imported
plywood and hardwoods to build retail
casework and permanent museum displays.
“Time is a factor,” says Biersing. “What is particularly good with lauan is
that it is relatively smooth and free of blemishes. If we were to use quarter-inch
plywood it has a heavy grain to it and knotholes. We would spend more time
working to flush the panel surface. Lauan comes smooth and plugged with no
knots, one of the great qualities that makes lauan a practical choice.”
Portability is also a big factor when lugging materials all over the Badger
State. Since the lauan used in film sets is typically 3-ply veneer on both
sides with a chip layer in between, it is very lightweight and bendable. It
cuts easily with a router and is used daily in set construction as a “skin” for
the flats that make backgrounds and building façades. “There was a time
when we occasionally used a thicker particleboard product, and we used
the same wall over and over again for years, but they weighed 300 pounds.
A comparable lauan wall is about 40 pounds. It is much easier to move and
handle,” explains Biersing.
Another thing that makes lauan so valuable to the set building industry is
that, unlike most Hollywood stars, it is easy to get a hold of. In the L.A. area,
there are several distributors that service the entertainment industry. “We buy
a future in meranti/lauan from the importer for 60 or 90 days down the road.
The importer brings it in and then ships it directly to Somerville. Somerville
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