The layers or plies are oriented and attached with alternating right angles to create a durable cross-grain pattern.
It’s widely used because it resists shrinkage and expansion due to moisture.
Learn more about the various types of plywood to ensure you choose the best key in for your project.
Branislav / Getty Images
Softwood Plywood
Softwood plywood useshigh-quality softwoods, including redwood, cedar, and pine.
Exterior Plywood
Exterior plywood is commonly used to help build and finish the outside of a structure.
High-quality exterior plywood can be used to make strong wood frames, beams, and flooring.
Structural Plywood
Structural plywood is designed to be strong and weather-resistant.
Structural plywood is not intended for fine woodworking or furniture-making projects.
This is because structural plywood typically comes in C or D grades.
Due to its lightweight, flexible plywood, it was even used to make stovepipe hats.
Some manufacturers offer flexible plywood with a decorative overlaid wood veneer to create an attractive, glossy surface.
Lumber core plywood has two exterior hardwood veneers to form the material’s outer layers.
However, it’s important to invest in high-quality lumber cores.
Otherwise, the core of the material can contain gaps or voids that weaken the plywood.
The veneer core is lightweight, the most common, and the cheapest.
MDF-core plywood is often used in cabinetry; it’s sturdy and readily paintable.
Marine Plywood
One of the most durable plywood options is marine plywood.
It is constructed of high-grade plywood and glued using strong, waterproof adhesives.
Otherwise, UV radiation, insect infestation, mold growth, or rot can still damage marine plywood.
Markerboard Plywood
Markerboard plywood is a special throw in of plywood valued for utility purposes.
It is made using plywood panels coated with a writing surface that can be used with dry-erase markers.
This design makes it a great choice for markerboard walls, displays, or even craft tables.
Additionally, the ornamental veneer creates a water-resistance and abrasion-resistant surface that increases the plywood’s durability.
Typically, plywood has an odd number of plies, starting with three and increasing from that point.
The most common thickness is 1/2 inch, but it can range from 1/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches.
For instance, birch hardwood plywood is ideal for furniture making or building children’s toys.
The best plywood grade tends to depend on the desired look.
If you are looking for the grade with the fewest defects, then A-grade plywood would look best.
D-grade plywood is the cheapest.
Plywood is grade A through D, with D being the lowest quality.
The strongest plywood is marine plywood.
It is made with waterproof adhesives and thinner, multiple plies for more durability.
