DIY Builds
Photo by cottonbro studio Pexels Logo Photo: cottonbro studio

What is the weakest plywood?

Particleboard Core Plywood (PBC) It is the weakest plywood core option (although still denser than solid wood) and does not hold screws as well. PBC is also very heavy (a 4×8 panel weights approximately 100 pounds) and swells up when exposed to moisture.

hardwooddistributors.org - What You Need to Know About Hardwood Plywood
What are 4 types of exterior doors?
What are 4 types of exterior doors?

Types of Exterior Doors: A Complete Guide for Homeowners Fiberglass Entry Doors. Fiberglass entry doors are becoming more common due to their high...

Read More »
Last updated Dec 16, 2019
Do I need permission to put a driveway in?
Do I need permission to put a driveway in?

You will need Planning Permission if: You are laying a traditional, impermeable driveway that does not provide for the water to run to a permeable...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 11, 2020

What You Need to Know About Hardwood Plywood

Hardwood plywood is a great choice for furniture, cabinets, and many other projects due to its strength, stability, and convenience.

​​What is Plywood?

Plywood is an engineered wood product consisting of three to seven layers of thin sheets of wood veneer that are then glued together. Each veneer is laid with its grain at a right angle to the last (or tighter angles such as 45 degrees in some plywood). This is done to create a product with high dimensional stability that resists splitting and warping. Plywood’s main advantage over solid stock is its high strength and stability. Its availability in a variety of thicknesses and sizes often makes plywood a more convenient choice as well. Plywood comes in a variety of thicknesses (typically 1/8″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, and 3/4″), which can eliminate the need to plane your own boards. It also comes in large sheets (typically 4’x8’), which can eliminate the need for edge-joining.

​​What are the Disadvantages of Plywood?

The face veneers of plywood are very thin—1/30 of an inch, on average. This can make plywood hard to cut without splintering, and doesn’t leave much after sanding. Plywood is heavier than solid stock and more susceptible to water damage, which could be problematic for some applications. The edges must be finished specially, usually with edge banding, to conceal the layers.

​​How Does the Cost of Hardwood Plywood Compare to Boards?

By the board foot, hardwood plywood is comparable in price to solid hardwood.

​​What are Good Uses for Hardwood Plywood?

Hardwood plywood is well suited for a variety of common uses. It is often used in cabinetry and furniture making. Many musical instruments are made from hardwood plywood, including pianos and string instruments.

​​What do the Different Plywood Grades Mean?

Plywood is graded A-D (best to worst) for its front face and 1-4 (best to worst) for its back. A1, A2, B1, and B2 are acceptable for applications where both sides will be seen, while A4 or B4 would be fine for projects where the back will not show.​

Guide to Plywood Core Options

When it comes to plywood, is it what’s on the inside that counts? All hardwood plywood has a face and back veneer of hardwood, but the core can vary. Here’s what you need to know about the different plywood cores available.

Veneer Core Plywood

Can I run electrical wire above ground?
Can I run electrical wire above ground?

Low-voltage (no more than 30 volts) wiring must be buried at least 6 inches deep. Buried wiring runs that transition from underground to above...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 18, 2018
What is the cheapest shed to build?
What is the cheapest shed to build?

Using pallets to build a shed is the most affordable of shed building methods. There are nearly infinite ways to make a pallet shed, but most use...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 17, 2019

The most common type of plywood core is made up of layers of veneer–typically fir in the west, poplar in the east, and aspen in the northeast. Of the three most common types of plywood core, veneer core is the lightest (approximately 70 pounds per 4×8 panel) and has the best strength, stability, and screw-holding properties. It is also the most expensive and the least uniform, since the layers of wood veneer have natural voids.

Particleboard Core Plywood (PBC)

The cheapest core option is particleboard, which consists of refined wood particles of varying sizes bonded with urea formaldehyde. It is the weakest plywood core option (although still denser than solid wood) and does not hold screws as well. PBC is also very heavy (a 4×8 panel weights approximately 100 pounds) and swells up when exposed to moisture. It does offer a more uniform texture than veneer core plywood, creating a smooth void-free surface for veneer.

Medium-Density Fiberboard Plywood Core (MDF)

MDF is an engineered wood product similar to particleboard in which the refined wood particles are of a smaller, uniformly sawdust-like consistency. It’s a step up from PBC and down from veneer core in terms of strength, stability, and screw holding ability, and is priced between them. Like particle board, MDF is very heavy, will soak up water, and offers a void-free surface for veneer application. Because of its very uniform consistency, cut edges appear smooth and are easy to finish with paint.

Combination Core Plywood

Combination core is a less common and more expensive option used with some expensive hardwood veneers. A combination core uses a layer of MDF or particleboard directly under the face and back veneers and veneer layers in the middle to get the best of both worlds—a smooth, uniform surface for face veneer application combined with the strength and stability of a veneer core.

hardwooddistributors.org - What You Need to Know About Hardwood Plywood
How do I build a shed homely?
How do I build a shed homely?

Make your own shed diner. ... Here, we've compiled everything, from decorating and organising to garden room uses. Hang curtains. ... Wallpaper for...

Read More »
Last updated Dec 7, 2019
Do mice stay away from insulation?
Do mice stay away from insulation?

Cellulose insulation is made of recycled, ground-up paper. It has boric acid added to it to control and keep out insects and other pests. It's also...

Read More »
Last updated Apr 5, 2020
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
Promotion
How thick should plywood be for a shed roof?
How thick should plywood be for a shed roof?

Plywood thicknesses for roofs start at 3/8” in areas with light load requirements on rafters at 16” centers. Thicknesses of 1/2 to 5/8 inch are...

Read More »
Last updated May 23, 2018
How long will firewood last uncovered?
How long will firewood last uncovered?

With the conditions you have described you should be able to store the firewood outside for approximately 3 or 4 years before you have any issues...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 1, 2020