Choosing the right plywood thickness for walls depends on the wall type, stud spacing, moisture exposure, and what you plan to mount to the surface. For most interior and garage walls with studs 16 inches on center, 1/2-inch plywood works well, while 3/4-inch plywood is better for areas that need stronger off-stud mounting. Quick answer: Use 1/2″ … Read more
When comparing OSB vs plywood for subfloor use, start here: at the same APA span rating, plywood and OSB are designed to perform the same structural subfloor job over the rated joist spacing. The real differences show up in three places: how each panel handles getting wet before the house is closed in, how thin … Read more
A 3/4-inch plywood shelf, 11-1/4 inches deep, carrying about 20 pounds per running foot can span roughly 31 inches before it reaches the design limit for sag. With lighter loads you can stretch to about 39 inches, and with heavy loads the safe plywood shelf span drops toward 23 inches. Below are the full span … Read more
For most painted outdoor cabinets, Exterior-rated MDO (Medium Density Overlay) plywood is the best overall choice. A-C or B-C Exterior plywood is the budget alternative. Build the boxes and doors from 3/4″ panels, then seal every edge, prime, and paint with a top-quality exterior acrylic. This page also covers the grade chart, how bond rating … Read more
Water damage changes the plywood physically. Wood rot actually breaks down the wood fibers. That difference decides whether you’re looking at a fan and a weekend, or a circular saw and a new sheet. The trouble is that both can look the same from a few feet away: dark stains, swollen edges, a surface that … Read more