How much weight can 1 4 plywood hold?

The thickness of plywood plays a big role in its strength. A 12 inch by 36 inch sheet of plywood that is 1/4 inches thick will only support 5 pounds per square meter. Whereas a 12 inch by 36 inch sheet of plywood that is 3/4 inches thick will support 50 pounds per square meter. 5 days ago

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The first question that comes to mind for many who purchase plywood is, how much weight can plywood hold?

This is mainly because plywood, although it’s very sustainable, doesn’t look like much at first glance. However, looks are deceiving in this case, because plywood is a lot stronger than it seems. Plywood is actually engineered to support weight and provide strength. For instance, a 12-inch by 36-inch cut of plywood with a thickness of 1/4 inch will support a weight of five pounds, while a 12-inch by 36-inch cut of plywood with a thickness of 3/4 inches can support up to 50 pounds. This makes it clear that the thickness of plywood12 makes all the difference when it comes to weight bearing and strength.1

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

When looking at the complete answer to ‘how much weight can plywood hold, it is essential to consider the total weight capacity of plywood.14

Plywood Weight Capacity

Plywood weight capacity is directly related to the flexibility of the plywood, thickness of the plywood, type of plywood, glue used to finish off the plywood as well as the layering process of the plywood.4

The thickness of plywood / Weight capacity11

On Center Measurement Thickness of Plywood Weight Capacity 16 on center (oc) Thickness: 19 – 32” Weight capacity: 185 pounds 24 on center (oc) Thickness: 19 – 32” Weight capacity: 270 pounds 20 on center (oc) Thickness: 23 – 32” Weight capacity: 240 pounds 32 on center (oc) Thickness: 7 – 8” Weight capacity: 295 pounds So, what does plywood look like? Plywood is thin composite sheet manufactured from wood veneers. These veneers are pressed, heated, and ultimately arranged at opposite angles to ensure maximum strength and water resistance.2 There are 14 different types of plywood that are popularly used for furniture-making and other purposes.3 Type of Plywood Characteristics and Uses Softwood Plywood Softwood plywood is made of softwood wood like pinewood, redwood, and spruce. Softwood plywood is used for building sub-floors, sheathing, fencing, and even dog kennels. Hardwood Plywood13 Hardwood plywood is made of hardwood wood like birchwood, oak, and maple. Because hardwood plywood is designed with 7 layers, the sheets are very strong and generally used for instruments, signage, and furniture. Aircraft Plywood Aircraft plywood is higher grade than hardwood and is typically used for boats, furniture, and aircraft fields, to name a few applications. Aircraft plywood consists of veneers that are thinner than normal and is made of mahogany and birch wood which gives the plywood water and heat resistance. Exterior Plywood As the name implies, exterior plywood is typically used for exterior purposes and is made using adverse weather-resistant glue. Exterior plywood is usually made from Douglas Fir wood. Lumber Core Plywood Three layers of plies make up lumber core plywood. The inner plywood core consists of wood that has been glued together into a solid mass, while the outer part of the plywood consists of hardwood. Structural Plywood Structural plywood is also known as sheathing and can be used indoors and outdoors. However, when used outdoors, structural plywood often succumbs to bad weather. Structural plywood is typically used for roof bracing, beams, and subfloors. Composite Plywood Composite plywood is not much different from conventional plywood except for the fiberboard external layer that is covered with hardwood. Composite plywood is popularly used for cabinetry. Overlaid Plywood Overlaid plywood is also known as decorative plywood and is mainly used as a finishing layer. Overlaid plywood is made from red oak, teak, birch, ash, and rosewood and is hardy, water-resistant, and even scratch resistant. Marine Plywood Marine plywood holds up exceptionally well in regions that are humid and wet and is mold and mildew-resistant. Marine plywood is covered with a layer of water-resistant glue and is used in dock and boat manufacturing. Tropical Plywood Because tropical plywood consists of different tropical wood, which gives it superior strength. Tropical plywood is used for structural purposes and flooring. Type of plywood: Flexible Plywood Flexible plywood is also called bending plywood and is used for decorative purposes during the furniture-making process. This type of plywood is curved and then glued to allow for a rigid form. Sanded Plywood Sanded plywood is known for its excellent quality. This type of plywood is sanded to create a smooth surface and is normally used for structural purposes. Apple Plywood Apple plywood is lighter than other types of plywood and easier to work with. Apple plywood is constructed of alder and birch and popular for making different types of furniture.

How Strong Is Plywood?

Exactly how strong is plywood then?

Plywood, even though the sheets are thin, can be very strong and is made that way because of perpendicular layering and high-pressure gluing processes.

Plywood Strength Chart

The below plywood strength chart indicates the strength of plywood per square foot. Thickness of Plywood Maximum Pressure (Strength) Thickness – 3/8 inches 22 max pressure per square foot Thickness – 1/2 inches 35 max pressure per square foot Thickness – 1/4 inches 80 max pressure per square foot Thickness – 1 inch 164 max pressure per square foot5

Grades of Plywood

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Plywood is rated by the finish on the outside pieces of wood (face veneer and back veneer). The smoothest finishes are more expensive, but it doesn’t impact the strength.

There are four main grades of plywood:6

A-Grade This is the best quality plywood and the easiest to work with and is often used for furniture and other applications where the grain of the wood will be exposed. B-Grade This type of plywood is still of great quality but may have a few small flaws. It is also not quite as smooth as A-grade plywood. C-Grade C-grade plywood has visible knots that cover an area of up to 1.5”, however, there are no holes. D-Grade D-grade plywood is typically the cheapest type of plywood on the market and usually has big flaws over an area of up to 2.5”. The grade of plywood is also indicated using 2 letters, for instance, A-C. In this case, the A-grade refers to the top of the plywood, whereas the C-grade refers to the bottom of the plywood.

The strength of plywood by grade is as follows:

Type of Plywood Grade of Plywood Strength of Plywood Marine Plywood A-Grade Marine plywood does not have knots, which means it has uniform strength. When marine plywood is manufactured, one veneer layer is placed inside the cross of the veneer before it, which increases strength. Exterior Plywood B-Grade Exterior plywood is typically made from pine or fir and is mainly used for outdoor purposes. It is strong enough to be used as the inner layer of a large house, and when it is used outside, it is temperature and water-resistant. Interior Plywood C-Grade or D-Grade Interior plywood is often used in humid environments including bathrooms. It is not adverse-weather-resistant and not as strong as exterior plywood. When choosing interior plywood, the more layers, the better, as this increases the strength.7

How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

Therefore, when it comes to how much weight can plywood hold, it is essential to take into consideration the grade of plywood (both grades when applicable), the number of layers, and the manufacturing process.15 It is also important to note the hardness of the wood used to manufacture the plywood. The hardness of wood is measured using a wood hardness scale, known as the Janka Hardness Scale. Janka values are measured in pounds-force (USA) as is seen in the below table. Type of Wood (Lumber) Janka Hardness Value (Pounds Force) Ipe Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3680 Blackwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3670 Leadwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3570 Cumaru Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3540 Macassar Ebony Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3250 Gaboon Ebony Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3220 Massaranduba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3190 Angelim Pedra Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3160 Cocobolo Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2960 Bloodwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2900 Brazilian Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2820 Live Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2680 Flamewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2650 Marblewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2530 Purpleheart Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2520 Brazilian Tulipwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2500 Australian Beefwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2420 Banyan Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2340 Persimmon Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2300 Tatajuba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Bocote Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Honduran Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Jarrah Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)16 – 2200 Canarywood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Santos Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Ziricote Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2200 Tigerwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2170 Eucalyptus Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2150 Bubinga Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1980 Figured Bubinga Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1980 Type of wood: African Padauk Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1970 Type of wood: Itauba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1900 Zebrawood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1830 Pecan Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820 Hickory Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820 Yellowheart Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1820 Indian Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1660 Wenge Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1630 Melaleuca Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1530 Hard Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450 Birdseye Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450 Curly Hard Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1450 Sapele Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 2520 Australian Cypress Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1375 Bishopwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1370 White Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1360 Qt. Sawn White Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1360 Ash Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1320 Beech Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1300 Red Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1290 Qt. Sawn Red Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)17 – 1290 Birch Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1260 LongLeaf Pine Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1225 Andiroba Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1220 Nicaraguan Rosewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650 Garapa Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650 Laurel Oak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1650 South American Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1200 Anigre Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1110 Makore Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1100 Peruvian Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1080 Mango Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1070 Burmese Teak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1050 Plantation Teak Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1050 Bolivian Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1020 Black Walnut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 1010 Chinaberry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 990 Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950 Curly Cherry Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950 Soft Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950 Curly Soft Maple Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 920 Imbuia Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 950 Camphorwood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force)18 – 950 Monkeypod Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 900 Aromatic Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 900 Australian Lacewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 880 Cambara Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 860 Lacewood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 840 African Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 830 Florida Mahogany Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 800 Sycamore Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 770 Podocarpus Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 760 Norfolk Island Pine Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 650 Spanish Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 600 Alder Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 590 Poplar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 540 Cypress Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 510 Butternut Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 490 Obeche Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 490 Parota Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 470 Basswood Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 410 Atlantic White Cedar Janka Hardness Value (pounds force) – 3508

Different sizes of plywood can hold different weights, as indicated below:

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How Much Weight Can 1 Inch Plywood Hold?

One inch of plywood can hold up to 164 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can 1/4 Plywood Hold?

1/4 inch plywood will support an estimated 5 pounds before it starts to bend.

How Much Weight Can 1/2 Plywood Hold?

1/2-inch plywood can hold up to 35 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can 3/4 Plywood Hold?

3/4 inch plywood can hold up to 50 pounds per square foot.

How Much Weight Can a Plywood Floor Support?

In general, plywood floors can support up to 20psf when it comes to dead load and up to 40psf when it comes to living load.19

The below chart indicates the strengths of different softwood plywood sizes:9

Size:

1/8 inch Size:

1/4 inch Size:

3/8 inch Size:

1/2 inch Size:

5/8 inch Size:

3/4 inch Size:

7/8 inch Size:

1 inch 8psf 16psf 22psf 35psf 56psf 80psf 110psf 164psf

How Much Wight Can Plywood Hold: Plywood Load Capacity Calculator

Calculating the answer to the question, of how much weight can plywood hold, is made easy with a plywood load capacity calculator. A simple version of the plywood load capacity calculator requires the following inputs:20

Length

Width

Thickness

The calculator will then use the following formula to determine the load capacity of a sheet of plywood:

LC = L x W x MP

LC refers to the load capacity in pounds, L refers to the length, W refers to the width, and MP refers to the maximum pressure related to the thickness. Calculating the load capacity of plywood relies on multiplying the length and width and then multiplying that by the MP of the sheet of plywood. The maximum pressure can be estimated using the following table: Thickness of Plywood Maximum Pressure (PSF) .125 inch MP (PSF) – 8 .250 inch MP (PSF) – 16 .375 inch MP (PSF) – 22 .500 inch MP (PSF) – 35 .750 inch MP (PSF) – 79 1 inch MP (PSF) – 1609

Another type of plywood load capacity calculator requires the following inputs:21

Type of plywood

Length

Width

Thickness

The number of sheets.

The calculator then delivers results in the form of weight in pounds and density in pounds per square foot for each inch of thickness.10 Using any of these types of plywood load capacity calculations makes it easy to determine the hold load capacity of any sheet of plywood and establish how much weight can plywood hold.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Weight Can Plywood Hold?

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