Understanding the Different Types of Plywood

Do you know what kind of plywood to buy for your next project? Learn how to sort through plywood possibilities by reading our article.

If you're going to buy plywood for the first time, you could find yourself standing in the aisle, overwhelmed by the variety of possibilities available. This is due to the fact that the varieties of plywood

The plywood created is as diverse as the purposes for which it is utilized.

Plywood is a very strong composite material that is normally formed of thin veneers of wood stripped off logs (plies) glued together with binders, pressed, and heated. Because the plies are put at various angles, the grain runs one way on one layer, then the other on the next, and so on.

While moisture causes wood to shrink and expand across the grain, the alternating layers suppress this movement, making plywood more dimensionally stable than ordinary 24. Plywood is resistant to warping, bending, cracking, breaking, and shrinking due to its composition and components. Three plies is the very minimum, and the more plies, the better.

The numerous options for plywood derive from the several applications for it. Did you know that some are used for airplanes? And what about other sorts of boats? And what about other sorts of furniture? What about roof decking and subflooring? Because of these many applications, there are several varieties of plywood on the market—though not necessarily at your local home improvement store, which would normally stock plywood for external sheathing, roofing, subfloors, shelves, cabinets, and furniture.

Plywood Types

Plywood of various sorts, grades, and sizes is required for various purposes.

Veneer-core plywood is the most basic type of plywood, consisting of layers of wood cemented together. It's really potent.

A MDF core is made up of layers of wood ply sandwiching an MDF, or multi-density fiber, core. It's more solid than veneer core plywood and has a more constant thickness; hence, it's commonly used for doors.

Timber-core plywood is made from timber sandwiched between layers of veneer. It is frequently used for lengthy shelves.

Happywoodgroup is a brand name for a high-end veneer core plywood with multiple hardwood plies that is used for drawers and furniture where the borders are visible and may often become design features in their own right. The face can be fashioned of a variety of hardwoods; however, maple is most commonly used.

Exterior sheathing plywood, which is graded CDX, is commonly used for lateral bracing on building exteriors. The "C" rating is on the front, the "D" rating is on the back, and the "X" rating is for Exposure, which signifies it's intended for use outside when covered with siding, for example. It is made with exterior-rated glue.

Subfloor plywood is watertight and often thicker (34 inches to 1 1/8 inches). For a squeak-free floor, there should be tongue and groove (marked by T&G on the sheet).

The grade of plywood relates to its physical appearance.

A+ grade:The sheet's face and back are practically defect-free, with a smooth, sanded surface and almost no knots. The surface is designed to be seen (not covered with another material) and may be painted or stained, making it ideal for cabinet doors and furniture. Other names for Grade B: The face and back have been sanded smooth; however, there are a few flaws that have been rectified with patches or wood filler. Grade B is less expensive than Grade A.