Sanded plywood is a structural plywood panel with one or both outer veneers factory-sanded for a smoother, paintable surface. In the common grades, AC plywood has an A-grade face and C-grade back, while BC plywood has a B-grade face and C-grade back. Choose AC for highly visible or glossy painted surfaces. Choose BC for shelves, … Read more
Hardwood plywood is sold by a two-part grade: a letter for the face veneer and a number for the back. The price gap between an A-1 sheet and a C-3 sheet of the same species can be substantial, so buying a higher grade than a project needs wastes money, while buying too low a grade … Read more
Look at almost any sheet of structural plywood and you’ll find a grade stamp inked onto the back or edge of the panel. Most buyers ignore it — and that’s a mistake, because the stamp answers more questions than any salesperson will. It tells you what the sheet is rated to do, how far it … Read more
If you flip over a sheet of plywood at the lumberyard, you’ll find a cluster of letters, numbers, and logos inked onto the back or edge of the panel. Most buyers ignore it. That’s a mistake, because knowing how to read a plywood grade stamp answers more questions than any salesperson will — the stamp … Read more
Exterior plywood is plywood carrying an Exterior bond classification, meaning the panel is manufactured for long-term exposure to weather or moisture. It uses moisture-resistant exterior adhesives, but the panel’s construction also affects its long-term bond performance. The Exterior stamp does not mean the wood itself is waterproof or resistant to decay. Untreated veneers can still … Read more