To begin plywood education and training, one should start with information about plywood itself, its definition and its applications. You can use plywood in various applications: from fine furniture building to the sheathing beneath shingles of a house and more.

Below, you'll find plywood information that will help you become an educated plywood buyer. You will find information about the various grades of plywood. As might be expected, plywood prices vary from grade to grade. Consider these options as part of your plywood education and training.

1. Know what plywood to use for interior applications.

2. Apply the right plywood for exterior use.

3. Use the right plywood for structural use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the inside and work your way out: interior plywood

Interior plywood has various grades, just as any kind of plywood. A grade has to do with the smoothness of the plywood's veneer, and it can range from A through C, with A being the smoothest. When you look at the plywood supply of the plywood distributors or plywood suppliers, you will see that the plywood price will be higher for the A grade than for the C grade. The A grade can be so smooth and the veneer of such high grade that it can be used for furniture or anywhere with exposed grain. The interior plywood can also be birch, cheery or even oak.

I recommend: Anderson Plywood is a good resource in that not only is it a plywood supplier, but it has a very informative site. Highland Hardwoods is also a wonderful site in that it shows a wide variety of hardwood plywood as well as discusses how to cut the veneer and more.

Work on the outside: exterior plywood

Because exterior plywood is often for use as sheathing for either walls and floors, the veneer is not as much of a concern, though this plywood can also have a hardwood veneer. The glue for the exterior plywood is different in that it is more moisture-resistant than the interior plywood. An extreme in exterior plywood is the marine plywood, which is used when making boats. It is the ultimate in water-resistance.

I recommend: Georgia Pacific is almost synonymous with plywood, and has a very informative site. Their detailed information on exterior plywood is very helpful for your plywood education and training. Marine Plywood by Homestead is a both an informative and extensive site, for the quality of the marine plywood is beautiful and the descriptions helpful.

Rely on the strength of structural plywood

When you need plywood for making concrete forms or something that requires strength, you need structural plywood. This plywood is often the lowest grade, and the least pretty. However, the resins with which it's made are high-strength and are extra-effective in keeping all of the plywood's layers together.

I recommend: "Choosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood" is a helpful article about structural plywood and how it compares to oriented strandboard, another type of exterior sheathing material. Timberco has a thorough examination of structural plywood on its site.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plywood sales is something that will do well, thanks to the need for plywood in so many applications. It makes sense that you, the plywood buyer, know as much as possible when buying plywood. If you have any questions regarding the best plywood for your application, contact the manufacturer or the associations listed below for more information.

Plywood is not usually something that the average person thinks about. But if you own and operate or are starting up a construction company, plywood is a staple product for your business. As a contractor, you must be aware of your costs, and finding the right plywood distributors has a big impact on your bottom line. Likewise, if you're just starting your business, you must watch every penny and look for the best value.

There are a lot of variables when it comes to finding the right plywood suppliers. Plywood buyers have to take into account everything that might affect their business, both before and after contracts are signed or purchases are made. Ask 3 basic questions before you settle on a given choice.

1. What kind (or kinds) of plywood will I need?

2. Which company will serve my needs and fit the scale of my operation?

3. Is there any reason I can't simply get my plywood from a local home maintenance store?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get all the plywood information you need and avoid a costly mistake

If you're just starting out, or are in the planning stages, the right information on plywood is of utmost importance. Not all plywood is created equal: there are different kinds, or grades, for different uses, and you need the right type for your business. The kind of plywood you need, whether interior, exterior, structural or marine, depends on the kind of construction you'll engage in.

I recommend: Determine your plywood needs; Russell Plywood or WholesalePlywood.com offer many examples to help you find the material you need. Just choose your product category with Russell Plywood to get spec information.

Make sure plywood services and prices are appropriate for the scale of your operation

When it comes to picking a supplier, you need one that will work well with your company. If you run a small construction business with relatively minimal plywood needs, and the company you're dealing with only deals in bulk plywood sales, then you must consider other options. Likewise, if the company specializes in a certain grade or type, make sure that it's the grade you'll be working with. Keep costs in mind as well; plywood buyers have to watch their pocketbooks like anyone else, and as a business owner, you know the importance of shopping around.

I recommend: Contact lumber companies and get some quotes for their services. Consider suppliers such as McCausey Lumber Company and get plywood prices on materials. Freeman Manufacturing & Supply Company also has a quote system that lets you several maple plywood products.

Consider a local home supply store with plywood sales

If your needs are small enough, it might be easier to simply shop at a nearby home supply warehouse. But it will usually cost you more per unit; retailers don't sell in bulk, so their plywood prices per square foot are higher. Weigh your choices carefully. If a large shipment is more plywood than you need, you'll save money going with a smaller amount from a local seller. In addition, look into used plywood options at local facilities and see whether you can fulfill your needs for a lot less money.

I recommend: Local chain retailers like Lowe's are excellent choices. Lumber Products specializes in wood products and has a wide selection of plywood and plywood information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Recycle your used plywood. Plywood is often used for creating forms and molds to pour concrete, and once it sets, the plywood is removed. If this is the use in your case, you can reuse or sell your used plywood and save more money.

Plywood is a type of board made from thin sheets of wood known as plies. The plies are placed so their grains are at right angles to those of the adjacent plies and glued together with strong adhesives under heat and pressure. The layers in plywood give it greater strength and higher resistance to cracking, warping and twisting than plain wood. There are many different types of plywood and it is preferable to regular wood in a variety of applications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Veneer grades

Plywood comes in several veneer grades, which set standards on the quality and type of plywood. This includes information on the size of knots, the source of the wood and surface repairs.

I recommend: Sizes provides details on the requirements for each veneer grade of plywood. It also offers details on other classifications of plywood, such as APA trademarked panels, exposure durability classifications, panel grade and species group number.

Marine grade plywood

Marine grade plywood is a grade of plywood that is specifically intended for marine applications. The requirements for marine grade plywood deal primarily with the types of knotholes and adhesives that are allowed.

I recommend: Glen-L.com provides the specific requirements of marine grade plywood, in addition to other grades of plywood for exterior use.

Core

A plywood's core is its innermost portion, and is also known as the center. It may be composed of fiberboard, lumber, particleboard or veneer.

I recommend: Forest Plywood provides a glossary of plywood terms, such as core, and also provides images that illustrate each term.

Mismatch

The veneers in mismatched plywood are put together at random, whether or not they match. However, the intent of mismatched plywood is still to provide the appearance of conformity with respect to the different veneers.

I recommend: Bacon Veneer Company provides a glossary with a variety of terms used for plywood, such as mismatch.

Hardwood Plywood

Hardwood plywood is generally made of some type of hardwood. Note, however, that this definition does not imply anything about the plywood's actual hardness.

I recommend: Atlantic Plywood provides a complete definition of hardwood plywood, in addition to many other terms used for lumber.

Softwood plywood

Softwood plywood is made from a coniferous tree such as a fir, pine or spruce. It has specific manufacturing and grading requirements. However, the term 'softwood plywood' does not provide any information on the actual hardness of the plywood.

I recommend: Lowe's provides a definition of softwood plywood, as well as specific information on the manufacturing process for this type of plywood.