What is Plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood panel made by gluing thin layers (plies) of wood veneer with alternating grain directions, available in dozens of types from construction-grade CDX to cabinet-quality Baltic birch.
Plywood is built from an odd number of thin wood layers (plies) glued together with each layer's grain running perpendicular to the one below. This cross-grain construction gives plywood its signature strength: it resists splitting, warping, and shrinking far better than solid wood of the same thickness.
The main types of plywood fall into two categories based on intended use.
Construction grades are built for structure, not looks. CDX plywood (C-grade front, D-grade back, exterior glue) is the standard for roof sheathing, subfloors, and concrete forms. The faces have knots, patches, and rough surfaces. Typical cost: $30-50 per 4x8 sheet in 3/4 inch.
Cabinet and furniture grades use higher-quality face veneers. Options include birch, oak, maple, walnut, and cherry plywood. Baltic birch is the premium choice with solid birch veneers throughout and no voids. Prices range from $60 for domestic birch to $133+ for 3/4 inch Baltic birch.
Standard sheet sizes in North America are 4x8 feet (48 x 96 inches). Baltic birch comes in 5x5 feet (60 x 60 inches). European panels are typically 2500 x 1250 mm. Common thicknesses: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch (though actual thickness runs about 1/32 inch under nominal).
Plywood cuts cleanly with a 60 to 80 tooth carbide blade. The cross-grain layers create more tear-out potential on crosscuts than rip cuts, especially on veneer-faced panels. Put the good face down on a circular saw, up on a table saw.
For projects with multiple plywood pieces, a cut list optimizer like SmartCutList arranges parts on the fewest sheets possible. On a 77-piece cabinet project, the difference between a manual layout and an optimized one can be two full sheets.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different grades of plywood?
- Plywood grades range from A (smooth, sanded, paintable) to D (rough, with knots and defects). A-A has two good faces, A-C has one good face and one rough face. CDX is the most common construction grade, with rough faces on both sides and exterior-rated glue. For furniture, use A-B or B-B birch plywood.
- How thick is 3/4 inch plywood actually?
- A sheet sold as 3/4-inch plywood actually measures 23/32 inch (about 18.3 mm). This matters for joinery: if you cut a 3/4-inch dado for a plywood shelf, it will be loose by 1/32 inch. Always measure your actual sheet thickness before cutting dados or rabbets.
- What is the best plywood for cabinets?
- Baltic birch plywood is the top choice for cabinet boxes because of its void-free core, consistent thickness, and strong edge that holds screws well. For painted cabinets, maple or birch veneer plywood works well. Use 3/4-inch for carcasses and 1/4-inch for backs.
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