Many people are not aware that plywood can be a very helpful building material when it comes to building a home or a business location. There are various kinds of plywood and they are sold in various pre-cut shapes and sizes. You might also need to track down plywood in various thicknesses for your project
Plywood framing is one of the most common uses for plywood in the construction world and there are many good reasons for using this material to build homes or businesses of all shapes and sizes. Knowing more about this building material can help you to be prepared when you decide it’s time to get started building with it.
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Things You Should Know Before Building with Plywood
Plywood Has Grades
Plywood comes in grades. The scale of these grades is A, B, C, and D. A is the highest quality and D is the lowest grade of this building material. Plywood is often sold mixed-grade, but there are also hardwood plywoods out there too.
You might have to prep the piece and support it more if you choose grades C or D for your building project. You should always choose A grade for things like cabinets where craftsmanship is key, but it can also be used for structural components, sheathing, flooring, windows and doors, and so much more!
Plywood Comes in Standard Sizes
Many people are surprised that they can’t just have plywood cut down into the custom shapes and sizes that they need when it is purchased. This is not actually the case. If you are buying plywood, you will have to settle for getting standardised sheets of the product and trimming them down yourself.
The more ply a piece of wood has, the more flexible it will be. This is part of why standard sizes are used during installation and transportation. Having standard sizes for this kind of wood product makes sense because it saves a lot of time and money.
Plywood Has Ratings
Plywood has grades, but it also has ratings. These ratings are:
- Interior – this rating means that the plywood will not hold up to moisture well. It should not be used on the exterior of a building for this reason. It needs to be kept as dry as possible throughout the installation process.
- Exterior – Exterior plywood sheets are waterproofed and can withstand some very tough weather. This kind of plywood is often used outside rather than inside.
- Exposure 1 – Exposure plywood is water-treated, and it can handle getting wet during the construction process. However, this kind of plywood cannot be exposed to moisture all year long before it will need to be replaced.
- Exposure 2 – This is the kind of plywood that is not fully waterproofed and which can be exposed to some heat or some humidity without breaking down.
Plywood also has Types
You might not be aware that there are types of plywood. These types of plywood offer different benefits to being used in the construction process.
- Hardwood Plywood – this kind of plywood is made up entirely of hardwood. This means that it is highly durable but can be tough to cut down to fit and even harder to place in some kinds of locations.
- Sanded plywood – This kind of plywood is ideal for making shelving or paneling due to its softer exterior and its durability. It is also usually reasonably attractive which can be a great argument in areas where a more finished floor might not even be practical.
- Structural Plywood – this plywood is used for internal framing as well as being perfect for projects where strength and stability are essential.
- Project Plywood Panels – this kind of panel is pre-cut and ready to use. This is the most common way to purchase plywood and it is most ideal for smaller jobs, but can be utilized for much bigger jobs as well.
What to Consider When Building With Plywood
You will need to think about the cost, the size of the area that needs to be covered, and the ply of your plywood as you are making a budget for your construction job. This kind of budgeting savvy will help you to stay on track as you build and it will also ensure that you have the right items for each step of your framing or overall build process.
Make sure as well that plywood is the right choice for your needs. There are areas where plywood is not the right choice, and you might be disheartened if you run into structural issues down the road and have to embark on a costly rebuild process. The builder that you are working with should have years of experience with these kinds of building materials. They can advise you about the right kinds of plywood to select and what the average cost of this material ought to be.
Always make sure that the surface or install area is clean and free from moisture when you are working with plywood. You should also be sure never to store your plywood where it can get wet while you are waiting to use it. Be sure to be extra careful with thin plywood sheets, as they are prone to breaking down completely when exposed to too much moisture.
Plywood Can be the Perfect Building Material for so Many Purposes
Plywood is a very versatile and useful kind of building material. Whether you are building a home yourself or working with a skilled home builder to create the house of your dreams, you should be aware of the kinds of materials that will be used in your build project.
The more you know about the use of materials like plywood, the better you will be at directing your home projects from additions to fresh and entirely new homes and other kinds of buildings. Plywood is common in nearly every kind of construction these days, so being familiar with its application is essential for those who are looking to build or remodel.
