5 Things to Know Before Buying 4 x 8 cdx plywood

When purchasing plywood, it’s crucial to choose the right type to ensure the success and durability of your project. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision:

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1. Plywood Grade

Plywood comes in different grades, which indicate the quality and appearance of the outer veneers. The grading system ranges from A to D, with A-grade being the highest quality with a smooth surface, and D-grade having more visible knots and defects. Understanding these grades is essential for choosing the right plywood for your project. For example, if you need plywood for a visible surface, A-grade or B-grade plywood is ideal due to its smooth finish. On the other hand, lower grades can be used for structural purposes where appearance isn’t as critical.

2. Thickness

The thickness of plywood is a critical factor that determines its structural strength and flexibility. Plywood is available in various thicknesses, typically ranging from 1/8 inch to 1 1/4 inches. The choice of thickness depends on the specific application of the plywood. For instance, thicker plywood (3/4 inch or more) is commonly used for subflooring, shelving, and other applications where strength is essential. Thinner plywood is often used for lighter projects like cabinet backs or drawer bottoms.

3. Core Type

Plywood cores can be made from different materials, each offering distinct advantages:

• Veneer Core: Composed of several layers of wood veneers, this type of core offers excellent strength and stability. It’s ideal for structural applications where the plywood needs to bear weight.
• MDF Core: Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) cores are smoother and more consistent, making them suitable for applications where a smooth finish is required, such as furniture or cabinetry.
• Particleboard Core: This core is made from wood particles and is typically less expensive but not as strong as veneer or MDF cores. It’s often used in applications where weight and cost are more important than strength.

Choosing the right core type ensures that the plywood meets the specific needs of your project in terms of strength, stability, and finish.

4. Number of Plies

The number of plies in plywood refers to the layers of veneers used in its construction. Generally, the more plies, the stronger and more stable the plywood will be. Plywood with more plies tends to resist warping and bending better than those with fewer layers. For projects requiring high structural integrity, such as flooring or roofing, plywood with 5 or more plies is recommended. For less demanding projects, 3-ply or 4-ply plywood may suffice.

5. Intended Use

Consider the specific application of the plywood when making your selection. Interior plywood is designed for indoor use and typically has a lower resistance to moisture. Exterior plywood is treated with waterproof glue and is better suited for outdoor projects where it will be exposed to the elements. Additionally, marine-grade plywood is specifically designed for use in environments with high moisture levels, such as boat building or outdoor furniture.

Understanding the intended use of the plywood ensures that you choose a material that will perform well in the environment where it will be installed.

6. Moisture Resistance

Moisture resistance is a critical factor, especially for plywood used in outdoor or high-humidity environments. Plywood is categorized into different types based on its moisture resistance:

• MR (Moisture Resistant) Plywood: This type is suitable for interior applications where there is minimal exposure to moisture.
• BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) Plywood: Designed for areas with occasional moisture exposure, such as kitchen cabinets or bathroom walls.
• BWP (Boiling Water Proof) Plywood: Also known as marine plywood, this type is highly resistant to water and is ideal for outdoor applications, such as decking or boat building.

Choosing the right type of moisture-resistant plywood is essential to prevent warping, swelling, or delamination over time.

7. Wood Type

The type of wood used in the plywood’s construction affects its strength, appearance, and cost. Common wood types include:

• Hardwoods: Such as oak, maple, or birch, are known for their strength and durability. Hardwood plywood is often used in furniture making, cabinetry, and flooring.
• Softwoods: Such as pine or fir, are lighter and less expensive. Softwood plywood is commonly used for structural applications like framing or subflooring.
• Exotic Woods: Plywood made from exotic woods like teak or mahogany offers unique aesthetic appeal and is often used in high-end furniture or decorative projects.

Selecting the appropriate wood type ensures that the plywood meets the specific requirements of your project in terms of strength, appearance, and cost.

Conclusion

Choosing the right plywood involves carefully considering factors such as grade, thickness, core type, number of plies, intended use, moisture resistance, and wood type. By evaluating these aspects, you can ensure that the plywood you select will provide the necessary durability, performance, and aesthetics for your project. Whether you’re working on a large construction project or a small DIY task, making an informed decision will lead to a successful and long-lasting outcome. Sherwood Lumber offers a wide range of plywood options to meet the needs of any project, ensuring quality and reliability.

What is Plywood?

Along with concrete blocks and lumber, plywood is one of the main staples of residential and commercial construction. Plywood is made from thin wood veneers or “plies” that are then glued together, pressed and heated to form sheets. The wood grain of the plies are rotated 90° with each alternate layer to reduce expansion and contraction of the wood. This gives plywood stability and resistance to shrinkage, breaking, warping, and cracking.

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The Plies of Plywood

The layers of veneer or plies of the plywood help determine the strength of the sheet. Plywood must have a minimum of three plies and are usually combined in an odd number of layers. The most common plies are:

• 3-ply is one of the most common types of plywood. With three layers of veneer it’s strong and durable. It can be a good choice for indoor use with a more decorative look than plywood with more layers.
• 5-ply refers to the five layers of veneers. This is common type of plywood that is suitable for a wide range of miscellaneous and construction uses where rigidity and strength are needed.
• Multi-ply plywood is mostly for exterior use and roofing. Usually designed with seven or more layers, it creates a very strong, durable home frame material that will withstand wind and weather damage.

Plywood Grades

Plywood receives grades (ranging from A to D) based on the number of blemishes on the product.

• Grade A: Both the face and back are nearly free of defects, with a smooth, sanded surface and virtually no knots. Ideal for cabinet doors and furniture and can be painted or stained.
• Grade B: Also sanded smooth, but the face and back have a few defects.  These blemishes may have been repaired filler. Cheaper than Grade A.
• Grade C: Unsanded, with tight knots up to 1-½-in width. Larger sections that have been patched and filled. Good for subflooring or other applications where appearance is not important.
• Grade D: Also unsanded, with knot holes up to 2-½-in width. Generous patching and filling with some unrepaired defects. Like Grade C, good for structural uses where it will not be seen.

When two grades are indicated, such as A/B, the A refers to the face and the B refers to the back. This can save costs to the mill. The most common is B/C-grade, which is a mix of B-grade on the face side and C-grade on the back side.

Plywood Sizes

Plywood panels are generally available in three main sizes: 4-ft x 4-ft, 4-ft x 8-ft, and 4-ft x 9-ft.

You should choose the thickness depending on what type of project you have. Plywood is usually made 1/8-in thick to more than 1-1/2-in thick. Most common plywood thicknesses are ½-in, ¾-in, and 1-in.

Exterior & Interior Use

Exterior plywood is used outside the home where durability is required. Bound together using water-resistant glue that doesn’t wear off easily, this plywood is wind and weather resistant. Some of the most suitable applications for exterior plywood are walls, roof linings, and outdoor structures.

Interior plywood is not very resistant to outdoor elements and tends to degrade quickly when exposed to moisture and heat. Some of the popular applications for interior plywood include indoor furniture, interior cladding, and craft projects.

Sanded Plywood

The sanded plywood face gives a beautiful high-quality surface that is ready for finishing. It is used where outward appearance is important. And thanks to being sanded at the mill, minimal if any additional sanding is required for most applications.

Typical construction uses include stair treads and risers, cabinets and built-ins, shelving, paneling, and accent panels.

Plywood Sheathing

Exterior plywood sheathing is used on weather-protected building exteriors like roofs and walls underneath siding. Sheathing is normally rated CDX, with a C-grade face, D-grade back and X for weather exposure. It has exterior rated glue to stand up to the elements.

Plywood Underlayment

Plywood underlayment is water repellant and thicker than normal plywood, ranging from ¾-in to 1-1/8 in. It is a durable, single-layer flooring panel for use under hardwood flooring, carpet and pad, and tile and vinyl floor coverings.

Look for tongue and groove panels for a squeak-free floor. The sheet should be labeled “T&G”.

Hardwood & Softwood Plywood

Hardwood plywood is made from oak, maple, poplar, and walnut trees. It is designed for demanding end uses. Having between three and seven layers, hardwood plywood is characterized by its excellent strength, stiffness, and durability. Hardwood plywood has outstanding surface hardness, making it damage and wear resistant. This tough exterior makes it a choice for packing cases, speaker boxes, and furniture.

Softwood plywood is usually made either of Douglas fir, pine, Southern yellow pine, poplar and whitewood and is typically used for exterior frame sheathing, roof sheathing, and sub-flooring. Softwood plywood is also ideal for projects like sheds, plant boxes, doghouses, and shelving.

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