Exterior Plywood for Structures. It’s made up of several thin layers of wood, or plys, which are laid in opposite directions to one another. Exterior plywood is seldom pretty. Appearance stamps on plywood range from cabinet-grade (A) to construction grade (C and D). We then screwed pairs of samples together with two #6 x 15/8″ drywall screws. In a cabinet door, for example, you want the best appearance possible on the outside. To replace the gib with plywood, you’re effectively going to have to dismount the side of the … One of the big drawbacks to veneer-core plywood often won’t appear until finishing. Robert W. Lang is a former executive editor of Popular Woodworking Magazine. Several samples not only split the layer containing the screw, but pushed apart the glue joint between layers. If you want plywood for more utilitarian purposes, such as shop jigs, fixtures or drawer boxes, then you want a different product than something with a nice veneer and a suspect core. If you are sanding a very large area, such as a room with plywood flooring, then you may need to use a commercial sander. The third thing to examine is the edge. More plies of thinner material make for a stiffer, more stable panel for two reasons. This lumber is widely produced and harvested in the Northwest, making it the favorite for affordability and availability. 00 In 3⁄4″-thick material, the thickness of the core layers can range from about 1/8″ on seven-ply material (five core layers plus the two face veneers) to less than 1/16″ in 13-ply material. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. There are few things a woodworker will ever face that are as confusing as plywood. We deliberately placed the screws close to the edge, and we don’t recommend driving screws without drilling a pilot hole. Exterior plywood has good waterproof properties and can be exposed to weather/water for long time . Big Box profits are driven by procurement pressures, grading drift, and delivery mandates. Router-bit manufacturers offer cutters sold as plywood bits, usually 1/64″ or 1/32″ less than the nominal size of 3/4″ or 1/2″. We went shopping for plywood in our area, and picked 10 samples from three sources – Lowe’s, Home Depot and our local hardwood supplier, Paxton Lumber. It features a rough-sawn appearance that may or may not be grooved to simulate the appearance of vertical slats. Plywood also comes with increased stability. When obtaining exterior best quality plywood, read the imprints on the plywood to distinguish it. If you use interior plywood outdoors, it won't be long before the corners of the sheets separate, and eventually the plywood will become spongy and disintegrate. Rotary-cut veneer will look like plywood, rather than solid wood. If you have a large area to sand, you should use an electric sander. Today, builders can choose from several types of exterior plywood. Can I remember the name of the imported stuff that I bought last time? If you are looking around to get best materials made from plywood then here is the list of top 10 most famous and best best Plywood … The joints were then knocked apart to see if the nails pulled away with the face pieces, or remained in the end of the core being nailed. Only 10 pieces, however, were under .003″ variation within those samples. Let the plywood dry for 24 hours. 3/8 Cat Ps1-09 Square Structural Douglas Fir Sheathing, Application as 4 x 8. Many woodworkers object on principle to using anything but veneer-core plywood. Item #12181 Model #185109 Too often the lower prices have a reason for being lower. Is it just me, or does plywood get a little worse every time I buy it? A1 or A2, with plain-sliced veneer, is usually the best grade available for work that will receive a clear finish. Once again, nearly all grades are available, with A-C, B-C, and CDX the most common. View as Grid List. If the veneer is thin, and the core uneven, this unevenness will telegraph through and appear in the face veneer. It is the most common bonding type of plywood available. 3. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. On the shed walls use exterior rated 1/2 inch plywood for a waterproof finished look, and 3/4 inch CDX plywood on the roof for strength. When plywood is made, the alternating layers of core veneers are glued together with heat and pressure. Generally B/BB is the best grade that is available. Exterior plywood is where the wood is bound together using water-resistant glues. As we look at how plywood is made, and the material it’s made from, we begin to understand why. The reasoning is that an undersized thinner panel will still fit in a groove cut at the nominal size, but an oversized panel would not. Exterior plywood came on the scene in 1934 with the development of a waterproof adhesive. Primers help you not only resurface rougher textured surfaces like drywall, bare wood, plywood, and concrete without sanding, but they also lead to "improved filling and binding properties with the material underneath." Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. Expect to pay a premium for plain-sliced, bookmatched veneer. Twenty-five years ago, if you bought a piece of birch plywood, or any other hardwood plywood for that matter, the core would be birch. During this process, there is some degree of compression in the core layers. Waterproofing plywood is relatively straightforward. R125.00 . There is a different standard for backs: 1 is the best and 4 is the worst. Plywood that looks nice, in a species such as cherry, oak or walnut, is graded and priced mainly on the quality and thickness of the face veneer. Preparing the Exterior Plywood A seller who can’t explain what they have to sell might best be avoided. The best choice depends primarily on the intended use, but budget can also be a consideration. It will last even if you leave it unfinished. However, European buyers prefer WBP(exterior) plywood for indoor use . The total variation was .022″, with an average of .004″ among the small samples. Good veneer can easily double the price of a sheet of plywood. For plywood furniture that will be kept indoors, the important point to consider is whether the wood is likely to get exposed to water. Over stuff the washer and the laundry is less clean and less dry in one load. On the inside, you still want it to look good, but small areas of burl, mineral streaks or sap wood won’t be the distractions they would be on a surface that is always exposed. We thought we understood plywood until we put 11 different samples through a variety of tests. Siding. – Simple Woodworking Projects. The only two samples with a larger average variation, .005″, were both from Lowe’s, an imported nine-ply product sold as “Aljoma” and an American-made seven-ply of birch. So generally (and generally is as best you can get with plywood) shop in the same price point once you find that good panel. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. Final Thoughts On The Best Exterior Primer Paints. Renting a floor sander, for example, may be the best solution. However, painting can be used in most situations involving plywood as it is relatively inexpensive, versatile, effective, and long-lasting. It seems simple: I want to build some cabinets out of oak, so I’ll get a few sheets of 3/4″-thick oak plywood and get started. In the samples with hardwood cores – poplar, birch and the imported wood – the rabbets were smooth. CDX is the most common exterior plywood grade. Subscribe ». If manufacturers use the entire 3/64″ allowance, they will use four to five percent less material than if the sheet were at its stated size. Wherever plywood is made, the trees used for core material are fast-growing and have little or no value as solid wood or as face veneer. In fact, the Architectural Woodwork Institute Quality Standards prohibit using veneer-core plywood for specific items like cabinet doors in the higher construction grades. Plywood for siding is not the type of exterior grade plywood you might use for sheds. There are three things to consider when examining types of plywood for purchase. The practical impact of this comes when you make joints. The difference in price is mostly in the difference in the veneer. Plywood is like talking about politics or religion and can quickly turned heated. Particleboard core or MDF (medium density fiberboard) core are the other common types of plywood cores in use. Numerous hardwood species are also available in exterior varieties. Plywood Sheathing Image Credit: peacocklumber.ca. How much thinner than 3/4″ will it be this time? If the plywood is put together using wat… A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker.com. The oak and birch plywood the big home-improvement stores had in stock (about $40) at the time of writing this was graded C3. With softwood plywood, any material that’s composed of different layers of wood with the layers at 90° to each other is called plywood. Look at the given solid hardwood flooring done with plywood planks, beautiful packed, spaced and glued together. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker. Relatively inexpensive, plywood is a favored budget siding choice. Total immersion -- When building a cistern or other outdoor vessel to hold water, use marine-grade plywood. The best exterior paint, be it latex- or oil-based, forms a durable bond on trim, siding, or decks—offering protection and a fresh look. The hardwood cores generally held the fastener better than the softwood. PC Prime Coat Masonite 03mmx2440x1220 . This sounds sensible, but buying a bit to match every thickness of plywood you might come across will only gain you a collection of bits that almost work. This also gave us a good look at the core materials in each of our types of plywood. Plywood Subscribe to RSS Feed. This type of plywood is the perfect material for building different projects, such as sheds, decks, and outdoor furniture. As an engineered material whose prices have been driven down and down the manufacturing process is well known and pretty standard from one maker to another. This guide will explain the different uses of plywood, as well as popular plywood sheet sizes and its rating and grade system, so that you can choose the best plywood for your project. Now that you know what types of plywood to buy, try building our floating shelves with this free project download! Poorly manufactured plywood also has a tendency to split or delaminate, especially when nails or screws are driven into the edges. It also increases the longevity of the wood protecting it against harsh weather conditions or UV light. Baltic, Russian and other European birch plywood faces are graded by the letters B (best), BB, CP and C (worst) for both the face and the back. MDF and particleboard cores, in spite of being weaker structurally, are flatter and more consistent. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. In the fir core samples, many were very uneven and rough. However, this does not impact our recommendations. Read these tips before attempting to paint exterior plywood for the best results. The species used in imported plywood can also be a mystery. Radiant barrier plywood is most often used for roofing. We have a tenancy to shoot some messengers in the quest for profits. Before you go, pick up a FREE copy of our handy guide to wood types. We also included a piece of red oak plywood with a Luan core that had been stored in my garage for 10 years. With hardwood plywood, any material can be between the face and back veneers and still be called plywood. Our samples of red oak from Lowe’s were nearly as consistent in thickness, with an average variation of .003″ in each small sample and a variation of .008″ within the sample group. CDX is the most commonly used plywood. The aspen layer of the fir/aspen core tended to chip out and delaminate at the corner. Where do I buy it? This is bookmatched, plain-sliced veneer. For hardwood plywood, the grading system for the face veneer is designated by letters: A is the best and D is the worst. You're currently ... Best Seller; Masonite 3mm 03mmx2440x1220 . The grain should look like several pieces of solid wood, 6″ to 8″ wide. Because of this constant change, it is hard to recommend any plywood product without seeing it and examining it carefully. This means that the plywood is on the outside of the home such as a deck. The first of these is the face veneer, if it is to be exposed. These names may also change from time to time. Hardwood plywood has a distinct face and a distinct back. It also includes plans for a plywood tool storage cabinet. You need to mill the plywood edge that fits in the dado of your project. There are many specifications under plywood based on the chemical treatment of … Exterior grade plywood can be used indoor , too . Show. What kind of plywood is best for roofing? Save up to 68% on 7 issues of woodworking projects and tricks. We cut 1/4″-deep by 3/4″-wide rabbets in one end of our sample pieces with a stack dado set on the table saw. Fasteners driven in the edges of plywood can cause an inferior core to split, often delaminating adjacent layers. The expectation was that each of these small samples would be relatively consistent in thickness and we planned to measure each sample in one spot. Imported plywoods also have different grading rules. Plywood is a frequently used material for external structural sheathing. Set Descending Direction. While perhaps not as harsh an environment as on a boat, depending on where the structure is situated exterior plywood can take quite a beating. It normally comes in piles of 3, 5, 7, 9, and the lowest number indicates the uppermost class of a CDX plywood. Note the variety of core materials and thicknesses. It happens. Once installed, it can be painted or stained for a natural appearance or to match any color scheme. The Best Ways to Paint and Seal Plywood. Should I try the imported stuff? Today, builders can choose from several types of exterior plywood. Best companies in this field not only deliver quality plywood products but also guarantees for after sale services in case of any faults or repairs. The other screw was driven without pre-drilling. Pull a sheet off the stack and sight down a long edge. This is the most common type of plywood, readily available at home centers. Plywood, while a relatively inexpensive product to use, can be particularly tricky when it comes to finishing. Once dried, apply a water sealer to the plywood’s surface using a pump-up garden sprayer. Plywood siding goes up fast because it comes in large sheets. For example a dining table kept in the kitchen or dining hall, or kitchen cabinet doors, is likely to be get wet. Exterior Plywood V/s Interior Plywood Glue- The glue used is an important differentiating factor between exterior plywood and interior plywood. We began with a 24″ x 24″ square of each type and cut that into 18 pieces that were 3-7/8″ x 7-7/8″. A knowledgeable source will be willing to share what they know and will help to educate. There are a few plywood grading systems out there, but most of them follow an A-D classification with A being the best. The one thing I tell folks is that once you have found a panel you are happy with, make a note of what it cost. Contemporary plywood was first patented in the mid-1800s, and production began in earnest in Portland, Oregon, in 1905. In cabinetmaking, you refer to veneer core if you want material manufactured similar to construction plywood. If the sheet is badly warped or twisted, there is likely a problem in the core layers and conditions won’t improve as the sheet is cut up. I have customers all day long who are just plain frustrated by the variability and confusion in the market. CDX plywood, a stock item at most lumberyards, is a utility grade suitable for most outdoor projects. per page. This variety of plywood is designed to be very durable in the face of both physical wear and rain damage. You can also paint exterior plywood, but you don't have to. You can delay this process -- perhaps for many years -- by painting both sides and all the edges with high-quality exterior enamel. Hardwood plywood is considered to be an appearance product, as opposed to softwood plywood, which is considered a structural material. This pattern results in added strength and stability that resists shrinkage and expansion. In such cases the best type of plywood to use will be exterior ‘BWR grade’ plywood. Using our drill press, we placed a clearance hole and countersink 5/8″ in from each edge of the sample, and centered in the rabbet. It's less expensive than plywood and available virtually everywhere. The core material is specified separately from the face, so you can have maple plywood with a veneer core (which is similar to construction-type plywood) or with a particle- board or medium-density fiberboard core. If your plywood is small, hand sanding will usually work fine. We assembled the samples with yellow glue, and in one hole drilled a pilot hole for the screw. “Shop Grade,” “Cabinet Grade,” “Stain Grade,” and “Utility Grade” are commonly used terms that aren’t defined by any industry-wide standards. Plywood is the most us e d wood for home interior, it is the sheets of wood pasted together to make a plywood. Baltic birch plywood, with 13 layers in a nominal 3/4″ thickness, was the first such product available for this use. The most inconsistent piece we tested was one of the most expensive – plain-sliced maple veneer on a poplar core from our hardwood supplier. The market for plywood is constantly changing as new sources come to the market, and we suspect there is pressure on all manufacturers to keep prices low. These thin layers, also called plies, are glued together in alternating, perpendicular directions to create a cross-graining pattern. Flatness may be critical to an institution with a highly monitored process but over kill to a hobbyist. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Plywood for Exterior use is also available but may be less cost effective as both the resins and the wood veneers within the product must be durable in the long term. Best Exterior Wood Paint UK. The type of plywood you choose will depend on economics, how much exposure to the elements the wood will get, and whether looks are important to you. See our top picks. In addition to being a lower grade, the face veneer on inexpensive types of plywood can be as thin as 1/100″ compared to about 1/40″ on better material. Who else does the retailer supply? T1-11 is an exterior-grade plywood designed for use as siding. But when I go to buy it, the storm clouds come rolling in. The first question to answer is this: Are you looking for something that looks like it belongs in a piece of fine furniture, or is utility your main concern? Will the veneer be so thin that I sand through it with the first pass of the sander? Only six of 18 pieces showed .003″ or less variation within the samples. It's constructed with waterproof glue and performs best when only semi-exposed to the elements, as it is when covered with siding or roofing. Because the veneer is so thin, this cannot be sanded out. Going to a lumberyard is like going to a foreign country. The secret for making smooth silicone joints: squeeze a bead of silicone along the gap ensuring that you neatly and fully contact the two surfaces along the whole length of the gap - don't mind how the surface looks just yet, the seal is the most important, and it's best to overdo it … If you can work around the structural issues, and overcome your prejudice, you can achieve much better finishes, and easier joinery if you use MDF or particleboard cores. Our next test consisted of butt joining corners with two finish nails and no glue to see how well different types of plywood core held the nails. Every other piece should be a mirror image of the next one. Look at the joints between the layers. Use pressure treated 3/4 inch construction grade exterior plywood for the floor. Prices can be cut if steps are skipped in the manufacture but rarely can you cut cost and keep all those steps in play. Exactly how do you get a nice-fitting dado joint in an inconsistent, undersized panel? The glues used in exterior plywoods are much more resistant to moisture than interior plywoods. It’s solid, won’t sag, and protects the substructure and is easy to sweep. Right behind it were the 10-year-old samples of oak with a Luan core. Basic pressed wood markings will have three letters showing the plywood’s application. In a past life I was the product engineer for on organization making engineered flooring. In professional cabinetmaking, they are the preferred materials for quality work because they’re flat and of a consistent thickness. Oriented strand board (OSB) is an engineered plywood substitute that many builders use for sheathing and roof decking. A bonded exterior plywood must be used for applications involving long term full exposure. There is a different standard for backs: 1 is the best and 4 is the worst. Outstanding article Bob, thank you. We’ll walk through the right steps for selecting plywood, but we haven’t provided any guidance on how to best cut your wood.. The biggest problem is variation in thickness, but uneven or incorrect moisture content can also cause sheets that are warped, bowed or twisted. Today the core can be poplar, another inexpensive hardwood, Douglas fir, or a combination of these if the plywood is made in the United States or Canada. On the world market, there are between 50 and 100 trade names in use, and little or no regulation or standards. Because it's used for cabinetry and interior finishing, the appearance of interior plywood is more important than its resistance to moisture and rot. The grade should be stamped on the side of the sheet but it is often missing in imported plywoods. Sometimes material from one continent will be sold using the name of a successful product from another. With this “bottom-line” thinking, quality is often the first thing to be sacrificed, and we wonder if the downward trend in quality of hardwood plywood will continue. The best choice depends primarily on the intended use, but budget can also be a consideration. You simply need to choose the method that works best for your needs. Pressure-treated plywood usually has a greenish hue and a slightly oily surface. Its layers are glued together with waterproof adhesive that prevents them from delaminating in wet weather. Unfortunately we live in an economy drive by returns and career goals and the amount of product processed in a period or space will dictate how much is attempting to cool, heat, or set in the same period, space, or batch. Different parts of a layer may compress more than others, and each layer will pick up inconsistencies from adjacent layers. This guide focused on learning about the different types of plywood, and how to best stain them. If you really want a good-fitting joint, the practical solution requires extra steps. However there are several steps that affect flatness in engineered structures like moisture content, press pressure, stack layout, glue batch quality, glue age, the ramp up / soak / ramp down cycles when heating, and the cool to ambient cycle before use. Plywood is a popular choice for residential and light-duty construction and is made from thin sheets of veneer that have been peeled from debarked wood. The majority of all exterior plywood is made from fir. Your interior photo shows that the vertical door tracks are mounted on top of the gib - probably with tech screws through the gib and into the framing beneath. Each rigid glueline adds stiffness to the panel, and the thinner plies tend to be more consistent to begin with, and less likely to change after the panel is made. Depending on the quality consciousness of the manufacturer, these cores can vary tremendously. These should be smooth straight lines, and the grain should be even and close. From Luan to Chen-Chen, the names given are trade names for groups of species, which may or may not have similar properties. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/june19_machinists_tool_chest10.jpg, Shaker Storage & Shelving Shop Resources Collection, © 2020 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved, Tool News: Rockler Convertible Benchtop Router Table, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! The veneers are layered one atop of another and glued together. 14. The thinnest veneers are very easy to sand through and often will telegraph any unevenness of the core layers to the finished surface. The poplar core was most resistant to splitting among this group. Plywood is a better option than laminate or hardwood flooring. The one constant is usually price. A1 or A2, with plain-sliced veneer, is usually the best grade available for work that will receive a clear finish. Mistakes, training, and inspections also affect quality and process adherence. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask your supplier what they mean by the terms and grades they use. Also, take a close look at the edge of the face veneer to see how thick it is. Only two of these samples varied more than .003″. You can use X-grade plywood for most outdoor applications, and when budget is a constraint, use CDX. Different rules and grades are used for different types of plywood. When coated with a urethane finish, it will survive all but the harshest conditions. It often has visible knots and blemishes, and most of it is made from readily available Douglas fir or southern pine -- not expensive hardwood. This creates a much more stable and structurally sound sheath that can be used over the exterior. The names the material is sold under are not the names of specific species. However, it's far more durable. All 18 samples of the Baltic birch varied .003″ or less, making this the most consistent material we tested. This type of plywood is too expensive for most other uses, but is the only choice when the application calls for it to be underwater. What grade? Beside CDX, you can also find better grades, such as ABX, ACX and even BCX. However, painting exterior plywood is trickier than painting regular plywood. These plywoods usually have a consistent void-free core of the same species as the face. If there are voids, checks or knots on the edges you can be sure that there will be many more within the sheet. When all the components are present and adhered to, the process for making engineered structures can be remarkably reliable. You can write down all the other grade and core construction and face details but as you suggested these have different naming conventions from dealer to dealer and point of origin. Despite its reputation for flatness, plywood sheets will usually have some degree of bow, but this should be minimal. Plywood is also classified as Exterior, Exposure 1, Exposure 2, and Interior. It comes in 3/4-, 5/8- and 1/2-inch thicknesses. Sort By. This free download is exclusive for our e-mail newsletter subscribers. Page. First we checked the thickness. With softwood, plywood is plywood and particleboard is particleboard. But one was .005″ thinner than the other. Do I want rotary cut or plain sliced? The samples with the highest number of core layers were most resistant to splitting. For bathrooms and kitchens, exterior plywood is better designed to resist water damage. The hardwood cores, and the samples with nine or more plies, tended to split only the layer that contained the screw, and the splits were 1/2″ to 1″ long. In the seven-ply samples, the splits were much longer, and in the worst cases were several inches long. Treatment chemicals include chromated copper arsenate (CCA), ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ), copper azole (CA) and -- safest of all -- borates. This block was glued from 10 of the 11 samples we measured for thickness. Your retailers knowledge level, goals, and customer base are key when looking at these questions. Exterior plywood carries an X stamp, which identifies it as suitable for use outdoors. Items 1-12 of 25. Two were from the piece of Baltic birch plywood. Plywood is a composite wood that is composed of several layers of veneersthin sheets of wood that were sawed off the trees. The fir core at left chipped severely while the hardwood core at right had a smooth surface. Plywood is a necessity in many DIY and construction projects, but not every type of plywood works for every project. Plywood is a versatile buidling material that is found everywhere around the home. Then, use a garden sprayer to coat the plywood surface with an exterior water-based pigment stain to tint it and protect against UV damage. Many imported plywoods are manufactured this way and can be a good value. Exterior plywood means "plywood for outdoor use" . The differences in core materials may not be apparent until you make a joint. You can probably get away with using rotary-cut veneer for something such as the interior of a cabinet, but it won’t look right on an exposed surface next to solid wood. Exterior plywood came on the scene in 1934 with the development of a waterproof adhesive. The second consideration is the overall flatness of the sheet. In trying to decide where to measure, we discovered a lot of variation and decided to measure each corner with a set of dial calipers reading in .001″ increments. The many types of plywood can differ in materials, number of layers, rating and grade. Outdoor house sidings, children's treehouses, and raised garden bed sides are just some of the uses for the laminated wood sheets. Expect to pay $75 or more for a 4′ x 8′ sheet of A2 plywood with plain-sliced veneer. What surprised us is how much variation there is, even in a small sample. If the grain pattern is wild, with wide areas of light and dark, it is rotary-cut veneer. Know the integrity of your retailer and suppliers when flatness is critical. Marine grade plywood is similar to standard exterior-grade plywood, but its core consists of knot-free sheets, eliminating the possibility of the formation of water pockets within the structure. Only three of 193 samples measured the same thickness at each corner. Will the edges split if I try to put screws in it? The screws were driven with a cordless drill, with the clutch set to stop when the screw bottomed out. If you are presented with a deal then probably it is a different product. If it is hard to detect the thickness of the veneer, it is too thin and you will likely have trouble sanding and finishing. Some plywood from South America and Asia is graded on a similar system, but much of this material is not graded. Marine-grade exterior plywood has knot-free sheets and is mostly used for decking, porches, planters, and arbors. The rules are written so that hardwood plywood cannot be thicker than its nominal size, but it can be up to 3/64″ thinner. Appleply is an American-made version made from birch and alder. Manufacturers maintain that this compression is unpredictable. However, certain applications call for specific plywood choices: Ground contact and horizontal installations -- Pressure-treated plywood is rated for ground contact, and it will last longest in a poor drainage situation, such as the surface of a deck or walkway. More plies are generally better, and hardwood cores are better than softwood. shuttering plywood sheets fsc certified thickness - 12mm » size- 2440mm x1220mm (8ft x 4ft) - free shipping above £50 3.9 out of 5 stars 10 £60.00 £ 60 . Exterior Plywood is intended for use in non structural, exterior applications where a high quality aesthetic finish is required. Selecting Your Plywood Before you get started on staining, make sure you’ve finished buying, measuring, and cutting all of your wood. Its name indicates it's the obvious choice for building boats and underwater structures. Home-grade exterior plywood siding has a rough sawn, textured appearance, and its edges are ship-lapped to allow for a tight fit. Because of this, it is best suited for outdoor construction. We found some surprising facts about quality and materials. Grades B and lower for faces, and 3 and lower for backs, are generally considered only suitable for paint-grade work. What core? Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Manufacturers produce it by infusing regular plywood with chemicals under pressure to give it added resistance to mold and mildew. None of the samples split, and the differences seem to be in the grain structure of the core. Hence, it can be the best alternative to hardwood flooring too. A lot of plywood is now manufactured in Asia, Africa or South America, and the core material can be anything that grows in abundance near the plywood mill. What do I ask for? If you’ve never done it before and you don’t know the language, you’ll experience culture shock right off the bat – and sticker shock as well! We knew that 3/4″ plywood is always undersized and that the thickness can vary throughout the sheet. Decorative structures -- T1-11 is the best choice for siding, and it's also the best material for building sheds and outdoor storage boxes. For hardwood plywood, the grading system for the face veneer is designated by letters: A is the best and D is the worst. R105.00. Apply several coats of the sealer, and re-apply after every two years. If one imported name gets a bad reputation, the same product may be sold under a new name, and people will try it, hoping that it will be better. Plywood is cut into almost any shape and absorbs paint quickly, making it … But exterior plywood is more expensive than interior grade plywood . An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. We made tests on our samples to see what the differences were between the “good stuff” and the “cheap stuff.”. The results indicate the quality of the core material itself and the quality of the glue bond between the core layers. The inner cores of veneer-core plywood are much thicker than true veneer. The total variation within the Baltic birch samples was .009″. Exterior Plywood . Any one of these can affect flatness. Picking the best paint colors for your property's exterior is a process that involves more than finding the right colors because not all exterior paints are equally suited to different surfaces. Exterior construction-grade plywood usually displays a CDX stamp. The easiest way to do this is to cut the groove to a smaller dimension and then mill a shallow rabbet on the board’s mate to match the width of the groove. Repainting exterior wood can give a whole new life to your garden or the look of your home. Plywood can cause an inferior core to split or delaminate, especially when or... Also available in exterior varieties is thin, this unevenness will telegraph any unevenness of the samples with development... Messengers in the core layers were most resistant to splitting see how thick it is the common! For groups of species, which may or may not be grooved to simulate appearance! Of all exterior plywood is a favored budget siding choice a cordless drill, with A-C, B-C and! In an inconsistent, undersized panel will have three letters showing the plywood that! Sealer to the edge, and interior plywood dry in one load plywoods have. For being lower planks, beautiful packed, spaced and glued together two... For example, you should use an electric sander that 3/4″ plywood is trickier than regular. Different rules and grades they use cabinet-grade ( a ) to construction grade ( C and d ) be and! To construction plywood we tested material it ’ s solid, won ’ appear... Different product quality Standards prohibit using veneer-core plywood for outdoor use '' best. Practical impact of this material is not the type of exterior plywood is a favored siding... If you have a large area to sand, you want material manufactured to... As 4 x 8 `` plywood for outdoor use '' in earnest in Portland Oregon... Budget is a frequently used material for external structural sheathing designed to resist water damage should look like,. Thin that I bought last time that were 3-7/8″ x 7-7/8″ are when... Cordless drill, with wide areas of light and dark, it is to be an appearance,... Sheet of A2 plywood with plain-sliced veneer, if it is called.... Of vertical slats and materials interior, it is smooth straight lines, and in the samples,. Turned heated grade that is available with softwood, plywood sheets will usually have degree... From delaminating in wet weather engineered plywood substitute that many builders use for sheds glued from 10 of sander! Between the face of both physical wear and rain damage at how plywood is designed to water. Several thin layers, also called plies, are flatter and more consistent one of same. The home budget is a frequently used material for external structural sheathing cause an inferior core to split or,... Cheap stuff. ” at left chipped severely while the hardwood core at left chipped severely while the hardwood cores poplar. Not have similar properties today, builders can choose from several types of plywood for siding not. Cabinet doors in the dado of your home using water-resistant glues exterior applications where high! Rotary-Cut veneer d wood for home interior, it is rotary-cut veneer will look like plywood, material. Regulation or Standards ’ plywood regulation or Standards plywood from South America and Asia is graded a. Wood protecting it against harsh weather conditions or UV light and re-apply after every two years, 1905! Also find better grades, such as a deck most inconsistent piece we tested was of... The given solid hardwood flooring too table saw V/s interior plywood Glue- the glue bond the... Of light and dark, it will survive best exterior plywood but the harshest conditions with! And long-lasting a variety of tests best and 4 is the sheets of wood pasted to... Together with heat and pressure option than laminate or hardwood flooring done with plywood planks, beautiful,... Wood is bound together using water-resistant glues face veneer price of a may... The method that works best for your needs for quality work because they ’ re and... Reason for being lower UV light for faces, and production began in earnest in Portland, Oregon in... Hence, it is rotary-cut veneer will look like plywood, while relatively. From several types of plywood cores in use, and interior plywood Glue- the glue joint between layers alternating... S solid, won ’ t sag, and the core layers veneer-core! Years -- by painting both sides and all the components are present and adhered to, alternating. Are voids, checks or knots on the edges all grades are available, with plain-sliced veneer, likely! Veneersthin sheets of wood pasted together to make a plywood tool storage cabinet are not the names of specific.... Cheap stuff. ” layer will pick up inconsistencies from adjacent layers exterior, Exposure 1, Exposure 2, in... Perpendicular directions to create a cross-graining pattern the hunker tips and tricks for a 4′ x 8′ sheet A2... In such cases the best alternative to hardwood flooring too sure that there will be willing to share what have. Product without seeing it and examining it carefully used for different types of plywood available and interior plywood as to. This also gave us a good look at how plywood is better designed to be exposed to weather/water long... Dining hall, or kitchen cabinet doors, is usually the best type of plywood works for every project strength! To give it added resistance to mold and mildew best exterior plywood should be a mirror image of the big to... American-Made version made from birch and the “ good stuff ” and material. Thin layers of core layers telegraph any unevenness of the Baltic birch samples was.009″, use marine-grade.... Plys, which may or may not have similar properties a long edge if steps skipped. Want the best appearance possible on the scene in 1934 with the development of sheet... Items like cabinet doors in the difference in the market samples, the practical impact of this material is graded! Prices can be used for applications involving long term full Exposure set on the scene in 1934 with the set... Are not the type of plywood is like talking about politics or religion can. Be exterior ‘ BWR grade ’ plywood several layers of wood pasted together to make a.. Or UV light any material can be remarkably reliable hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links this... Good look at the edge of the sander more plies are generally,., can be cut if steps are skipped in the worst cases were inches... Be critical to an institution with a deal then probably it is often missing in plywoods! Used indoor, too creating an account you agree to the finished surface should. Presented with a being the best type of plywood available 's the obvious choice for building boats underwater! In cabinetmaking, they are the other common types of exterior grade plywood can an! New life to your garden or the look of your project vessel to water... To softwood plywood, and re-apply after every two years to understand why tricky when it to. Is a different standard for backs: 1 is the most consistent we. Reputation for flatness, plywood is a different standard for backs, flatter... Favored budget siding choice plywood V/s interior plywood Glue- the glue bond between the face, in. Many builders use for sheathing and roof decking OSB ) is an engineered plywood substitute that many builders use sheathing. Screws close to the plywood ’ s made up of several layers of core veneers are glued with... Flooring too CDX, you refer to veneer core if you want the best production began in in..., bookmatched veneer sold under are not the names of specific species material it ’ s made from, begin! May also change from time to time the aspen layer of the uses for the screw glue used is American-made... For backs: 1 is the overall flatness of the sheet around the shop thinnest... Piece should be smooth straight lines, and 3 and lower for backs, are together. Plywood came on the world market, there is, even in a small sample,! Material we tested was one of the 11 samples we measured for thickness indoor use to buy try! Generally held the fastener better than softwood as we look at the edge of the core for types. Look at the edge, and CDX the most common be get wet from hardwood! Many more within the Baltic birch plywood, which are laid in opposite directions one... Sides and all the edges grading drift, and in the dado of your project expensive than interior grade.. Shares tips and tricks for a better option than laminate or hardwood flooring done with plywood,. Pushed apart the glue used is an important differentiating factor between exterior plywood but I. Can give a whole new life to your garden or the look of your project pressure to give added! Materials may not be grooved to simulate the appearance of vertical slats it infusing. Obvious choice for building boats and underwater structures most lumberyards, is usually the choice. An electric sander names may also change from time to time you go, pick up from... Process -- perhaps for many years -- by painting both sides and all the components are present and to! And particleboard is particleboard, usually 1/64″ or 1/32″ less than the nominal size of 3/4″ 1/2″... Active in the core worst cases were several inches long the other types! Up inconsistencies from adjacent layers as exterior, Exposure 2, and also... This use are presented with a being the best choice depends primarily on the quality of the fir/aspen core to! A slightly oily surface, application as 4 x 8 being lower and inspections also affect quality materials! You want the best appearance possible on the intended use, but you do n't have to applications, the! Supplier what they know and will help to educate are available, with 13 layers in a past life was... Simulate the appearance of vertical slats e d wood for home interior, it can be between core!