Plywood, or engineered wood, is man-made wood material created by gluing together thin layers of wood and placing them under intense pressure. While variations of plywood have been found dating back thousands of years, the modern form of plywood was invented in the late 1800s. Plywood is usually cheaper than solid wood boards, but is generally just as strong and versatile as pure-wood alternatives. Due to its popularity and economical pricing, knowing buy plywood can help you cut back on construction costs and complete household projects.
Instructions
1. Understand the different types of plywood. The term "plywood" can be applied to various types of plywood, each with its own unique strengths. The three main types of plywood are softwood plywood, decorative plywood and high-strength (aircraft) plywood. Softwood plywood is usually the type of plywood chosen for construction purposes.
2. Choose the type of plywood exposure you require. If you are constructing a project in a dry locale, choose exposure level 2. Exposure level 1 is suitable for more humid, moist climates.
3. Select the plywood grade you want for your construction project. Plywood is graded depending on the quality of the exterior wood layers. Grades are represented as two letters; the first letter is the quality of the front panel, while the second letter is the quality of the back panel. Plywood grades range from A to D, with "A" being the highest quality and "D" being the lowest quality. While the first two grades are close in quality, a D-level grade is very low in the quality scale and should not be used for exterior construction projects.
4. Visit a local construction supply or hardware store and locate the plywood you require with the appropriate grade and exposure ratings.
5. Purchase the appropriate plywood by how many wood plies you require for your project. The most common number of plies used is five.
