Why is interior plywood not recommended for exterior use?

Interior plywood, made with highly resistant glues, can actually withstand quite a bit of moisture. There is interior plywood made with IMG (intermediate glue), which is resistant to bacteria, mold, and moisture, but no interior plywood is made for use outdoors.

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How far can a LVL beam span without support?

As per general thumb rule and guidelines, a double 18″ lvl beam can allow span upto 30 feet far distance used for residential building or projects.

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Is it better to screw or nail wood?

Screws will keep wood together when faced with vertical force and won't break down when lots of vertical force is applied to them. Nails are able...

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Can I build my own shed?

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Some projects require that you use or at least understand plywood. This material is a very popular construction tool, because the layering of thin sheets of wood gives it great flexibility and strength. Knowing about plywood can save you money and may mean the difference between a successful project and one that fails. For example, you don't need to buy an expensive piece of plywood that's perfect on both sides if only one side will be seen. Similarly, there's no sense in paying for 1/2-inch thickness when 3/8-inch plywood is really all you need. Plywood also comes with different glues, veneers, and degrees of finish. By knowing these characteristics you may be able to save money as well as do a better job.

Plywood is a commonly used material because it resists shrinking and cracking.

Available at home centers, hardware stores, and lumberyards, plywood is better than lumber for some jobs. It is strong, lightweight, and rigid. Its high-impact resistance means plywood doesn't split, chip, crack all the way through, or crumble; the cross-laminate construction restricts expansion and contraction within the individual plies. Moreover, you never get "green" wood with plywood. When you buy a sheet of plywood, you know exactly what size you're getting, unlike with other types of lumber that have nominal and actual measurements. For example, a 4 X 8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch plywood measures exactly 4 by 8 feet and is exactly 1/2-inch thick. Plywood is broadly categorized into two types: exterior and interior. Exterior plywood is made with nothing but waterproof glue and should always be used for any exposed application. Interior plywood, made with highly resistant glues, can actually withstand quite a bit of moisture. There is interior plywood made with IMG (intermediate glue), which is resistant to bacteria, mold, and moisture, but no interior plywood is made for use outdoors. When purchasing plywood, look for a back stamp or edge marking bearing the initials APA or DFPA. APA stands for American Plywood Association, while DFPA is the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. These two organizations represent most of the plywood manufacturers, and they inspect and test all plywood to ensure quality is high and grading is accurate. The most critical plywood grading category for most home projects is the appearance grade of the panel faces (see the chart on plywood grades below).

Interior Grade Face Back Inner Plies Common Uses

What wood should I use for a shed base?

pressure-treated plywood Ordinary exterior-grade plywood is made with weather-resistant glue, but the wood itself is not particularly rot...

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Can I use pea gravel as a sub-base?

Like crushed stone, pea gravel can also be used for underground projects, such as drainage and pipe bedding.

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Are shed plans easy to follow?

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A-A A A D Cabinet doors, built-ins, and furniture where both sides show. A-B A B D Alternate for A-A. Face is finish grade; back is solid and smooth. A-D A D D Finish grade face for paneling, built-ins, and backing. B-D B D D Utility grade. One paintable side. Used for backing, cabinet sides, etc. C-D C D D Sheathing and structural uses such as temporary enclosures, subfloor. Unsanded. Underlayment C-plugged D C,D For underlayment or combination subfloor-underlayment under tile and carpeting. Exterior Grade Face Back Inner Plies Common Uses A-A A A C Outdoors, where appearance of both sides is important. A-B A B C Alternate for A-A, where appearance of one side is less important. Face is finish grade. A-C A C C Soffits, fences, base for coatings. B-C B C C For utility uses such as farm buildings, some kinds of fences, base for coatings. C-C plugged C-plugged C C Excellent base for tile, backing for wallcoverings, high-performance coatings. C-C

C C C Unsanded, for backing and rough construction exposed to weather.

Not what you're looking for? Try these: Home Repair Tools: Whether you prefer to use the Yellow Pages for anything that needs fixing around the house or consider yourself a regular do-it-yourselfer, there are a handful of tools that everyone should have in their tool box. Learn all about them in this article. Materials: Just having the tools you need on hand for repairs isn't always enough to do the job. You'll often need various materials, such as lumber or drywall, to complete a task. Check out this article for tips on materials. Lumber: Lumber can be a bit confusing to the average homeowner because the measurements listed can be difficult to understand. Learn helpful tips on this page.

home.howstuffworks.com - Plywood - Home and Garden - HowStuffWorks

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Are shed plans easy to follow?

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Learn More »

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How far can a 2x4 span for a roof?

A 2×4 can span a maximum of 6' 7” when spaced 16” apart and used as a floor or deck joist. When used as a ceiling joist or a roof rafter, a 2×4 can...

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