Furniture Grade Plywood: What It Really Means

Furniture-grade plywood is a trade term for decorative hardwood plywood selected for furniture, cabinetry and other visible interior projects. It is not an official plywood grade, and the label alone does not guarantee a void-free core, a particular face grade or perfect flatness. Quality depends on the face and back grades, core construction, thickness consistency and … Read more

Blondewood Plywood Review: Pros, Cons & Best Uses

Stack of Blondewood plywood sheets showing smooth light-colored veneer and plywood edge construction.

Walk into any big-box home improvement center looking for budget-friendly cabinet material, and you’re bound to encounter a stack of exceptionally clean, bright sheets labeled Blondewood Plywood. It looks beautiful on the rack. Blondewood plywood has become one of the most popular budget sheet goods at home centers because it looks clean, cuts easily, and … Read more

Plytanium Plywood (2026): Is It Worth the Extra Cost or Just Hype?

plytanium, georgia pacific

Plytanium is a proprietary brand of plywood manufactured by Georgia-Pacific. It is known for being a consistent, all-wood sanded plywood panel that resists delamination and provides a smoother surface than standard OSB, making it ideal for subflooring and exterior sheathing. Most DIYers overpay for Plytanium—and often don’t even need it. While contractors swear by it … Read more

Hardwood vs Softwood: Strength, Cost and Uses

Side-by-side comparison of hardwood and softwood boards showing grain, pores, joinery strength, splintering, and Janka hardness differences.

Hardwood vs softwood refers to the type of tree the lumber comes from. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees (broadleaf species), while softwood comes from coniferous trees (evergreens). Hardwoods are typically denser and used for furniture and flooring, while softwoods are lighter and commonly used for framing and construction. Despite their names, hardwoods are not always … Read more

Plywood Sheathing: Types, Uses, Thickness and Cost

Close-up view of exterior wall framing with plywood sheathing partially installed.

Sheathing plywood is a structural wood panel used for wall and roof framing. It strengthens the framing system, distributes loads, and provides a base for siding or roofing materials. It is commonly made from CDX-grade plywood and typically ranges from 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch thickness. If you’ve ever built a house, shed, or garage, you’ve probably … Read more