If you’re heading out to buy a sheet of plywood for the first time, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the range of options you see. Your home project may call for a specific type of plywood—it’s best to know your options to make a wise choice.
This comprehensive guide will explore the most common types of plywood and how to choose the right one for your project — whether you’re building a new shed, crafting furniture, or renovating your home.
Plywood is a composite material made from thin layers of wood veneer, called plies, glued together. Each layer’s grain runs perpendicular to the layers on either side, giving plywood its strength and stability and making it resistant to warping, twisting, and shrinking. The number of plies can vary, but generally, more layers result in stronger and more stable plywood.
Producing plywood starts with selecting logs that then get peeled or sliced into thin veneers. These veneers are dried, sorted, and layered with adhesive between each ply. The layers are pressed together under high pressure and heat, creating a strong bond. The outer layers, known as the face and back, are typically of higher quality than the inner ones.
Each step in the plywood manufacturing process is crucial to ensure the end product’s strength and durability. The choice of logs, the precision in slicing veneers, and the adhesive used all contribute to the plywood’s final quality. This meticulous process ensures that the plywood can withstand various environmental conditions and hold up over time.
The core of each type of plywood is the biggest factor that makes it ideal for some projects and not others, so it’s important to choose the right one for your specific needs.
Veneer core plywood is the most common type, consisting entirely of wood veneers. It’s known for its strength and lightweight nature, making it ideal for structural applications and furniture making. This type of plywood offers excellent screw-holding capabilities and is less prone to warping than solid wood.
The dominance of veneer core plywood in the market speaks to its effectiveness and reliability. Builders and craftspeople often opt for this type due to its balance of strength, ease of manipulation, and resistance to common wood issues. It provides a robust foundation for various applications, from flooring to cabinetry.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core plywood features outer layers of wood veneer with a core made of MDF. This construction results in a stable and uniform product with a consistent thickness. MDF core plywood is often used for cabinet doors and other applications where a smooth, flat surface is crucial.
MDF core plywood is prized for its smooth finish, making it ideal for painted surfaces or detailed work. Its uniform thickness makes it easy to work with, providing a reliable base for intricate designs and precision crafting. This makes it a go-to material for fine furniture and high-end cabinetry.
Lumber core plywood consists of a core made from solid wood strips sandwiched between veneer layers. This type is exceptionally strong and resistant to warping, making it an excellent choice for long shelves and tabletops where minimal deflection is desired.
The solid wood strips within lumber core plywood provide unparalleled strength, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications. Whether building expansive tabletops or long shelving units, this plywood type ensures minimal flex and excellent load-bearing capabilities. Its durability makes it a favorite among builders requiring sturdy and long-lasting materials.
Plywood is graded based on the quality of its face and back veneers. The grading system offers a useful guideline for builders and DIY enthusiasts, ensuring they choose the right quality for their needs.
Grade A plywood has a smooth, sanded surface with minimal defects. It’s suitable for high-end cabinetry, furniture, and other visible applications where appearance is crucial. This grade can be painted or stained for a finished look.
Choosing Grade A plywood guarantees an excellent finish, making it perfect for visible areas. Its smooth surface allows for high-quality paint or stain applications, ensuring a polished and sophisticated end result. This grade is often used in projects where aesthetics are a top priority.
Grade B plywood has a solid surface with some minor repairs and small knots. It’s less expensive than Grade A and is often used for cabinet interiors or as a substrate for thin veneers.
While Grade B plywood may not boast the flawless surface of Grade A, it still offers a solid and reliable finish. This makes it a more cost-effective choice for internal applications or areas covered by another material. The cost-to-strength ratio makes it a practical choice for many projects.
Grade C plywood is unsanded and may have visible defects like knots and patches. It’s typically used for structural applications where appearance is unimportant, such as subflooring or wall sheathing.
In structural applications, Grade C plywood is valued for its strength rather than its appearance. Its visible defects do not affect its functionality, making it a cost-effective solution for internal frameworks and support structures where aesthetics are secondary.
Grade D is the lowest quality, with larger knots and more visible defects. It’s used primarily for structural purposes in areas that will be completely hidden from view.
Despite its visible imperfections, Grade D plywood provides necessary structural support at a lower cost. It is suitable for hidden areas where function is more critical than form, such as substructures and behind-the-scenes frameworks.
Certain applications require plywood with specific properties. Here are some specialty types designed to meet unique requirements.
This type is designed to withstand exposure to moisture and is often used in construction for exterior walls and roofing. It’s typically rated CDX, where “C” is the face grade, “D” is the back grade, and “X” indicates it’s suitable for exterior use.
Exterior sheathing plywood is formulated to resist environmental challenges. Its durability against moisture makes it an essential material for constructing the outer layers of buildings, ensuring that the internal structures remain protected from the elements.
Subfloor plywood is thicker and more water-resistant than standard plywood. It often features tongue-and-groove edges to create a tight, squeak-free floor surface.
The structural integrity required for flooring requires robust and moisture-resistant subfloor plywood. Its tongue-and-groove design ensures a stable and even surface, minimizing movement and noise, which is crucial for comfortable, long-lasting flooring.
Marine plywood is made with waterproof glue and high-quality veneers to resist delamination and rot in wet environments. It’s used in boatbuilding and outdoor furniture.
Marine plywood’s composition makes it uniquely suited for environments with high moisture exposure. Its resistance to water damage ensures longevity and reliability, whether used in constructing boats or crafting durable outdoor furniture.
Aircraft plywood is high-strength, lightweight, and made with special adhesives and select veneers. It’s used in the aviation industry and for high-performance applications.
In demanding applications where performance is critical, aircraft plywood provides the necessary strength without adding excessive weight. Its high-quality construction ensures it meets stringent industry standards, making it ideal for aviation and other specialized uses.
Plywood comes in various sizes and thicknesses to suit different project needs. Understanding these dimensions helps in planning and executing projects with precision.
The most common plywood sheet sizes are:
Plywood thickness ranges from 1/8 inch to over 1½ inches. The most commonly available thicknesses in home improvement stores are ½ inch, ¾ inch, and 1 inch.
These standard sizes and thicknesses allow for flexibility in project design. Whether for small-scale crafts or large construction projects, the range of dimensions ensures the availability of suitable plywood options.
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Plywood offers many advantages, including strength, stability, and versatility. However, it also has some limitations, such as visible edges and the potential for delamination if exposed to excessive moisture.
Plywood’s primary benefits include its strength and resistance to warping. Its layered construction provides a robust material that can handle significant weight and stress. Additionally, it’s versatile enough to be good for a wide range of applications, from structural to decorative. Plywood is generally more stable than solid wood, as its multiple layers counteract wood’s natural tendency to shrink and expand.
Despite its advantages, you might have to finish plywood’s edges. The potential for delamination under excessive moisture exposure is another concern, requiring careful selection and treatment for outdoor or high-moisture environments. Another limitation can be the variability in quality between different grades, which means selecting the right type and grade is crucial.
When purchasing plywood, inspect sheets carefully for defects, especially if the surface will be visible. Look for flat, undamaged sheets and check the edges for gaps or voids. For projects requiring a finished look, consider higher-grade plywood or specialty products like ApplePly, which offers an attractive edge grain for furniture and drawer construction.
Careful examination of plywood sheets ensures that the material is fit for purpose. Check for any signs of damage, warping, or inconsistencies in the veneer. Pay particular attention to the edges to ensure there are no gaps that could compromise its structural integrity. Also, inspect the surface for any blemishes or defects that could impact the project’s final appearance.
Consider the plywood’s intended use and select a grade that matches your project’s needs. For visible surfaces, higher-grade plywood offers fewer imperfections and a better finish. For structural uses, lower grades might be sufficient and more cost-effective. Don’t forget to calculate the amount required accurately to avoid shortages or excessive wastage.
While plywood is versatile, other engineered wood products like oriented strand board (OSB), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard may be more suitable for certain applications. These alternatives can offer cost savings or specific properties that plywood may lack.
OSB is a low-cost alternative to plywood, made from strands of wood mixed with adhesives. It offers good strength for structural applications, particularly in subflooring and wall sheathing. However, OSB is less resistant to moisture compared to some grades of plywood.
MDF is known for its smooth surface and consistent thickness, making it an excellent choice for painted surfaces and detailed work. It is heavier and denser than plywood but lacks the inherent structural strength, making it less suitable for load-bearing applications.
Particleboard is another cost-effective alternative, often used in flat-pack furniture and cabinetry. While it is smooth and easy to work with, it lacks the durability and strength of plywood, making it suitable only for non-load-bearing applications.
Plywood offers a balance of strength, stability, and affordability. By understanding the different types, grades, and applications of plywood, you can make informed decisions for your projects.
When selecting plywood, consider factors such as moisture exposure, load-bearing requirements, and aesthetic needs. With the knowledge gained from this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the perfect plywood for your next undertaking.
Plywood is a staple material for professional builders, architects, designers and DIYers alike. These versatile panels are used for a number of different projects, from wall sheathing, roofing, and sub-flooring, to cabinetry and furniture. Plywood is readily available at local retail stores and specialty wholesalers, with most offering a wide selection.
Gaining better knowledge of plywood and the types of plywood available will not only make shopping easier, but it will also ensure that your finished project will have stability, structure, and beauty.
There are two main types of plywood: softwood plywood and hardwood plywood.
They are both are made of multiple plies (layers) of thin wood veneer that have are glued under pressure within a chamber set to a high temperature to ensure maximum adhesion and strength.
Softwood plywood comes in different wood species, but fir and pine are most common. Softwood plywood is ideal for projects where cost must be kept down or where the look of the plywood is not a priority, such as with wall sheathing or subflooring. Hardwood plywood is more expensive but is considered more visually appealing.
Hardwood plywood can differ from softwood in how the panels are constructed. Hardwood panels may have multi-ply layered construction, like softwood plywood, but often, you’ll find that they’re instead constructed with one-piece composite wood cores.
The plywood face and back then feature a thin decorative hardwood veneer which can be stained, sealed or painted, depending on the preferences of the customer.
Hardwood plywood is intended for interior, non-structural applications like for furniture, cabinetry, finished interior walls and similar projects. Typical hardwood plywood face species include oak, walnut, maple, hickory and many more.
Plywood has many uses, so you can really use whichever type you deem fit based on the project you’re building. However, to make shopping for plywood easier, most suppliers or lumber stores will break down their plywood in basic categories.
Structural or exterior plywood, like CDX plywood, is designed for permanent use in building structures like beams, subfloors, bracing for walls or roofs, and in any other instance where strength and stability are vital. Structural plywood is often quite thick, made of softwood species and without an attractive finish. The majority of structural plywood is moisture-resistant.
Exterior plywood is going to be fairly strong, but most importantly, it’s designed for water-resistance and weather exposure. Adhesives used in Exterior plywood withstand water and harsh sunlight for longer without degradation. However, Exterior plywood that will be directly exposed to the elements will still need a surface treatment (e.g. waterproof sealant) as it is designed to be covered with siding, flooring, roofing, etc.
Interior (decorative) plywood is usually chosen for its looks rather than its strength. You’ll find Interior plywood ideal for household projects like wall paneling, ceilings, and ceiling treatments (e.g. coffered ceilings) cabinets and furniture. Interior plywood should not be used for structures nor should it be used outdoors.
If you’re looking for exceptionally beautiful look, consider skipping softwoods and selecting an interior, hardwood product instead. Hardwood plywood is a budget-friendly way of getting a stunning real wood finish without the price tag of solid wood.
As mentioned above, hardwood plywood comes in a variety of different cores. The core materials offered by Columbia Forest Products include:
The core you choose depends on a few factors. If budget is a concern and weight is not a factor, typically particleboard or MDF is chosen. MDF is a great alternative to particleboard if you need a very smooth finish, but it’s important to know it’s heavier.
If a very high-quality finish is needed or you want to eliminate the need to finish edges, then Europly is a solid choice. Lastly, if a light weight, sturdy, moisture-resistant material is desired, a PureBond veneer core material makes a great choice.
Columbia Forest Products offers a variety of face veneers to complement their cores. You can find essentially any North American hardwood species available as a veneer. Visit the Columbia Forest Products website for examples of veneer options.
Grade refers to the relative visual quality of the plywood’s face and back. The face of the plywood is often graded by letter while the back is graded by number. The higher the grade, the higher the price of the plywood.
For a plywood face, you’ll find a grade range of “AA” to “E”. Plywood faces with an “AA” grade are exceptionally high quality and ideal for custom cabinetry, furniture or similar projects. An “A” grade is just a step below and is a common grade for the higher-end plywood options. “B” grade plywood is often referred to as ‘cabinet grade.’ Grade “C” is still useful for finished work, like the interior of cabinets or shelves. Many people use “D” or “E” grades for areas that won’t be seen, or that will be painted.
For the plywood back, you’ll find a range of 1 to 4, which are generally matched to the relative quality of the face. The grade of the plywood might be indicated on panel edges. Grades are typically expressed with the face grade first, followed by the back grade, such as “A-1” or “C-3”.
By understanding the various types of plywoods and how they’re graded, you’ll be able to more accurately purchase panels that will be best suited for the project at hand.
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