Picking the right plywood for your project isn’t as simple as grabbing the first sheet you see at the hardware store. There’s quite a bit to consider: the type of wood used and how well it’ll hold up in different environments.
Understanding what sets one plywood board apart from another can save you both money and headaches down the road. And here’s a complete guide for you.
Understanding the Basic Types of Plywood
Before you can make an informed decision, you need to know what options are out there. Plywood generally falls into a few main categories, and each serves different purposes.
Hardwood Plywood
This comes from deciduous trees like birch, oak, and maple. It’s prized for its attractive wood grain and smooth surface, which makes it ideal for furniture making and interior applications where appearance matters. The wood veneer on the outer layers gives it that polished look you want when the material is visible.
Softwood Plywood
This is manufactured from coniferous trees such as pine and fir. But don’t let the name fool you because this stuff is strong. It’s commonly used for structural work, wall sheathing, and situations where the board will be hidden from view. The cost tends to be lower than that of hardwood varieties, which makes it a practical choice for projects where aesthetics take a backseat to function.
Marine Grade Plywood
This engineered wood product is constructed with waterproof glue and higher-grade veneers, making it the go-to choice for boat building and outdoor applications. If your project will face moisture exposure, you’ll want to consider marine plywood or at least exterior-grade plywood with good moisture resistance.
Matching Plywood to Your Project Requirements
The right plywood for a bookshelf is completely different from what you’d need for outdoor decking or concrete moulds.
For indoor furniture and cabinetry, you’re probably looking at hardwood plywood with an attractive face veneer. Chipboard can work well for certain applications too, though plywood’s layered construction offers advantages when you need stronger load-bearing capabilities or better moisture resistance.
Hardwood-faced multi-purpose plywood offers versatility for various indoor applications, while something like maple veneered plywood provides a premium look for higher-end pieces. The smooth surface takes finish beautifully and won’t require excessive sanding.
Construction and structural applications call for different priorities. Softwood structural plywood offers excellent load-bearing capabilities and dimensional stability, which is essential when you’re building something that needs to support weight. For flooring installations, tongue-and-groove plywood creates secure connections between sheets and minimises movement over time.
If you’re working on exterior projects, external hardwood plywood or marine plywood with proper moisture resistance becomes non-negotiable. The bonding quality between layers needs to withstand weather exposure without delaminating.
For temporary construction use, like shuttering plywood for concrete work, you need something that can handle repeated exposure to wet concrete while maintaining its mechanical strength.
When you buy plywood cut to size from a supplier, you can also save yourself considerable time and effort. Many timber and sheet materials providers now offer custom cutting services, which means less waste and fewer trips back to the store when your measurements are off.
Grading and Quality Considerations
Plywood grading can seem like alphabet soup at first, but it’s logical once you understand the system. The grade typically refers to the quality of the face and back veneers, with “A” being the highest quality (smooth, paintable surface with minimal defects) and “D” being the lowest (knots, splits, and imperfections allowed).
For projects where both sides will be visible, look for A-A or A-B grades. When only one side matters, like wall sheathing that’ll be covered, you can save money with A-C or B-C grades. The key is being honest about what your project requires rather than over-specifying and wasting money on quality you won’t see or need.
WBP Plywood (Weather and Boil Proof) refers to the adhesive used rather than the wood itself. This designation means the board can withstand prolonged moisture exposure, making it suitable for both marine applications and exterior use. If you see this rating, you’re looking at a product with superior bonding quality that won’t fall apart when things get wet.
Thickness and Core Considerations
Plywood sheets come in various types and thicknesses, typically ranging from 3mm to 25mm or more. Thicker doesn’t always mean better—it just means different.
For cabinet backs and drawer bottoms, thin plywood (around 6mm) works perfectly fine and keeps weight down. Shelving usually requires 18-19mm to prevent sagging, especially if you’re storing anything heavy. Floor underlayment often calls for 12-15mm, depending on joist spacing and local building codes.
The core construction matters too. Standard plywood has a solid core of multiple thin layers. Flexible plywood features a special construction that allows it to bend around curves, which opens up creative possibilities for DIY projects with curved elements. Some speciality plywood variants use different core materials altogether, offering specific advantages for niche applications.
Practical Tips for Making Your Selection
When you’re standing in the timber yard or browsing online, keep these points in mind. First, inspect the edges if possible. You can tell a lot about the quality by looking at the layers and checking for voids or gaps in the core. These weak spots can compromise structural integrity and make working with power tools more difficult.
Consider the cell structure and growth lines visible in the wood grain. Tighter, more uniform patterns generally indicate better quality and strength. Also, think about whether you’ll need any edge sealant for exposed edges, especially on exterior applications.
Don’t overlook practical considerations like delivery options and whether your supplier offers trade discounts for bulk orders. Some suppliers provide loyalty rewards programs or discount codes that can add up to significant savings on larger projects. Check if they deliver to your postcode before getting too far into planning.
Finally, remember that specialist plywood varieties exist for specific applications: from ground protection boards for construction sites to pre-cut plywood for standard sizing needs. Sometimes paying a bit more for exactly what you need beats trying to make a general-purpose product work for a specialised application.
Takeaway
Choosing the right plywood ultimately comes down to understanding your project’s specific demands and matching them with the appropriate material characteristics. Take the time to think through moisture exposure, structural requirements, appearance priorities, and budget constraints before making your purchase. Your finished project will thank you for the careful consideration.