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actual dimensions of plywood

by Gardner Corwin Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Sanded Plywood Thickness Tolerance

Nominal No. of plies Tolerance Minimum Actual Thickness
3.0 mm 3-ply +0.3/-0.4 2.6 mm
4.0 mm 3-ply +0.3/-0.5 3.5 mm
6.5 mm 5-ply +0.4/-0.5 6.0 mm
9.0mm 7-ply +0.4/-0.6 8.4 mm
Apr 12 2022

4' x 8'

Full Answer

What is the actual size of 4x8 plywood?

When you buy a sheet of plywood, you know exactly what size you're getting, unlike with other types of lumber that have nominal and actual measurements. For example, a 4X8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch plywood measures exactly 4 by 8 feet and is exactly 1/2-inch thick.

What are the dimensions of a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

The sizes of the most commonly used plywood sheets are 4 x 8 feet (1220 x 2440 mm) which was first used by the Portland Manufacturing Company, who developed what we know of as modern veneer core plywood for the 1905 Portland World Fair. A common metric size for a sheet of plywood is 1200 x 2400 mm.

What is the weight of 4x8 plywood?

The actual weight of plywood varies by product and manufacturer which can make it challenging to predict the weight perfectly. On average, a 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ softwood plywood weighs about 61 pounds. Read on to learn more about what impacts the weight and find the weight for different varieties and thicknesses of plywood .

What is the actual thickness of plywood?

The standard thicknesses for plywood are 1 ¼, 1 1/8, ¾, 5/8, ½, 3/8, ¼, and 1/8 inches. The corresponding actual thicknesses are 1 ¼, 1 1/8, 23/32, 19/32, 15/32, 11/32, 1/4, and respectively. This takes into the effect of sanding throughout the process of manufacturing the plywood for each of these sizes.

What is the actual size of a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

x 8 ft.; Actual: 0.438 in. x 48 in. x 96 in.)

What is the actual thickness of 3/4 inch plywood?

21/32" thickThe actual thickness of plywood varies and is usually different than the nominal thickness shown at the lumber yard. 3/4" plywood is actually 21/32" thick.

What is the real thickness of plywood?

The most common thickness of plywood is 1/2-inch, but plywood thickness can range from 1/8-inch to 3/4 inches.

What is the actual size of 1/2 plywood?

Plywood is often sold in 1/4“, 1/2“, or 3/4” nominal thicknesses, but the actual thickness is often 1/32” thinner. Because the actual thickness may vary measuring the plywood is the only accurate way to determine its thickness. A 3/4” sheet is actually 23/32” thick. A 1/2” sheet is actually 15/32” thick.

What is the actual thickness of 5/8 plywood?

The actual thickness is just like it sounds – the actual thickness of the plywood panels you buy, after sanding. Typically, the actual thickness of plywood is 1/32 inch less than the nominal thickness....Thickness in millimeters.Thickness (inch)Thickness (milimeter)5/8”15.9mm3/4”19mm1-1/8”28.6mm1-1/4”31.75mm6 more rows•May 16, 2011

What is the actual thickness of 1/4 inch plywood?

Typically, the actual thickness of plywood is 1/32 inch less than the nominal thickness....Thickness in millimeters.Thickness (inch)Thickness (milimeter)1/8”3.2mm1/4”6.4mm5/16”8mm3/8”9.5mm6 more rows•May 16, 2011

What are the 3 types of plywood?

Types of PlywoodVeneer core plywood is the basic plywood with layers of wood bonded together. ... MDF core is comprised of layers of wood ply sandwiching a core of MDF, or multi-density fiber. ... Lumber core plywood is comprised of lumber sandwiched between veneer layers.More items...

How much does a 4x8 sheet of plywood cost?

This compares to an average of $532 a year ago and to $372 in pre-pandemic 2019. The price was up nearly $100 from a week earlier. “A sheet of [4-foot by 8-foot] half-inch plywood costs $65 today.

What is 3/4 plywood called?

While 3/4” thick plywood is the thickest that is sold in sheets in most lumberyards and home improvement centers, plywood is commonly manufactured in 1” and 1 ¼” thick sizes as well....Nominal and actual thickness.Nominal ThicknessActual Thickness3/8”11/32”1/2”15/32”5/8”19/32”3/4”23/32”2 more rows•May 16, 2011

Why are wood sizes not the actual size?

Maybe you've noticed that lumber sizes are often misleading. The "nominal" cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S).

Why is a 2x4 not 2x4?

The simple reason why 2×4 is not 2 inches by 4 inches is that lumber mills trim off rough or warped surfaces of a 2×4 to give it a more polished and finished look. By planning the lumber on all four sides, the original 2×4 is now reduced to 1 ½ inches by 3 1/2 inches.

Is 15 32 The same as half inch?

The reason un-sanded plywood, such as sheathing, is described as 15/32-in. thick is to reflect the manufacturer's tolerance of 1/32 inch, even though in layman's terms the sheet is equivalent to a 1/2-in.

How wide is a sheet of plywood?

Sheets of plywood available in different sizes and actual width, length and thickness depend on manufacturer’s product line and plywood type. But most local retailors offer only a few standard sheet dimensions which typically 4 feet in width and 8 feet in length or smaller as a stock option.

How much does 3/4 plywood weigh?

3/4 thick plywood will weigh about 2.5 pounds per square foot (PSF). And the whole 4’ x 8’ sheet will be approximately 84 lb. or 38 kilograms.

How thick is plywood for rough framing?

Practical use. Softwood plywood typically used for rough framing comes in 4 x 8 feet (1220 x 2438 millimeters) sheets. Even though with all variation often 3/4” (19 mm) nominal (23/32”) thickness tongue and groove flooring boards will be allowed to use as a rough subfloor according to building codes.

What is the thickness of 4x8 plywood?

Sheathing pressure-treated 4’x8’plywood which might very in thickness from 1/4” to 3/4” widely used for different outdoor applications. Hardwood plywood.

Is it cheaper to buy 4x8 plywood?

But identical thickness and overall properties plywood in bigger sheets will typically cost less per square foot than smaller pieces. It is always be cheaper to buy one 4’ x 8’ sheet and cut it comparing to paying for four 2’ x 4’ pieces. How heavy the plywood is.

What is the standard size of plywood?

Common Plywood Sheet Sizes. Hardwood Plywood comes in many lengths and widths, but the two most common sizes are 4 x 8 and 5 x 5 feet. Standard sheets are 1/2 inch thick, while non-standard thicknesses range from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inches.

How thick is plywood?

Plywood’s Actual Thickness. Although standard plywood sheet sizes range from 1/4 to 3/4 inch thicknesses, it’s actually slightly thinner. This is because after it’s manufactured, plywood shrinks as it dries. So, when you are buying a standard utility-grade sheet, the actual size will be as follows:

What is hardwood plywood?

Hardwood Plywood. This is made from Alder, Ash, Beech, Birch, Bamboo, Cherry, Mahogany, Maple, and other hardwood trees. Hardwood is used for carpentry projects like cabinetry, making furniture, and other decorative applications. Sheets are usually sanded to make a smooth surface and can be stained or painted.

How much does plywood weigh?

In addition to being sturdy, plywood is also heavy. It weighs about 2.5 lbs per square foot, meaning a standard 4×8 sheet weighs 80 lbs. Of course, it’s also highly absorbent, so this weight will increase if the board gets saturated. Read on to learn about the standard plywood sheet sizes and types you can buy.

What is plywood made of?

Plywood is not a specific type of wood, but rather a category of material made from thin layers of wood glued together to form long sheets. The grain of each layer is rotated 90 degrees to improve strength, reduce shrinkage, and prevent the wood from splitting. Sub-categories include MDF, OSB, and particle board.

What is the tolerance of utility grade plywood?

While this varies by type, utility-grade sheets have a tolerance of 1/32 inches and cabinet-grade sheets have a tolerance of 1/64 inches. This means that higher-grade plywood is held to a higher standard than lower-grade material.

Does plywood shrink when wet?

In fact, all wood expands as it gets wet and shrinks as it dries. Remember, plywood is made from many layers of thin wooden sheets. And the top layer needs to be sanded after the sheet is made. During this process, 1/32 inches is typically removed from each sheet.

How big is a sheet of plywood?

A standard sheet is 4 by 8 feet and can be found in a series of thicknesses, with specialized sizes likewise offered for crafting projects or large construction ...

How thick is 3/8 plywood?

Therefore, a sheet of plywood with a stated thickness of 3/8 inch is, in fact, 11/32 inches thick.

What is plywood tolerance?

Size Tolerances. Plywood is made of thin sheets of softwood glued together in layers, with the wood grain of each layer perpendicular to the next. Its size tolerances– particularly for thickness– are smaller than those for the utility-grade plywood utilized in the construction trades. The tolerance for utility plywood is 1/32 inch, ...

How big are Baltic birch panels?

Baltic birch panels (a kind of plywood including birch veneer) often come in 5 x 5-feet panel s.

Is it easier to cut plywood or framing?

Dealing with big sheets of plywood will be a lot easier utilizing these standard techniques for precise design, cuts, and assembly. Keep in mind that if you are using the larger, utility-grade plywood, you’ll need more framing to keep it sturdy.

Thicknesses

Most plywood products suitable for use in woodworking projects are marketed as 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, or 3/4-inch thicknesses, but it's important to realize that these are nominal sizes, not actual dimensions. Just as construction lumber nominal sizes differ from actual dimensions, the same is true of plywood sheet goods:

Plywood Sheet Dimensions

Big-box home improvement centers generally sell sanded pine or hardwood-faced plywood suitable for woodworking projects in standard 4 x 8-ft. sheets. There also may be 4 x 12-ft. sheets available by special order (these larger sheets will generally be in-stock at major lumberyards).

Why Nominal Sizes Differ From Actual Sizes

In framing lumber, the difference between the nominal size (how a board is labeled) vs. its actual size comes about because of the planing and drying process, which shrinks a board from the dimensions it had when it was originally milled.

What is the standard size of plywood?

The most common size for plywood sheets is 4 x 8 feet, followed by 5 x 5 feet. Additionally, what size is an 8x4 sheet? Size Conversions. In respect to this, what are the actual dimensions of a 4x8 sheet of 3/4 plywood? Plywood is most often sold in 4′ x 8′ sheets, but may also be available in 4′ x 10′, 4′ x 12′, or 2′ x 4′ sheets.

What are the dimensions of a 4x8 sheet of plywood?

For example, a 4X8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch plywood measures exactly 4 by 8 feet and is exactly 1/2-inch thick. Click to see full answer.

What is the grade of plywood?

Plywood is graded so that each face receives a grade of A, B, C, or D , with A representing the smoothest sanded finish. For example, AA plywood has a furniture-grade finish on both sides, while BC plywood will be graded B on one side and C on the other. Read More.

How thick is 5/4 board?

Each quarter refers to 1/4 inch of thickness, meaning that a 5/4 board is roughly 1 1/4 inches thick. If your project calls for a piece that is exactly 1 inch thick, you'll want to purchase a 5/4 board and mill it down to the proper size using a jointer/planer.

What is dimension lumber?

The term dimension lumber is used with softwood species (such as pine or fir) that are used in the building trades for framing and other carpentry uses. The reasons why the nominal dimension of this lumber (what the lumber is called) is larger than the actual dimensions involves historical practices in the lumber industry.

How big is a 5 1/2 x 5 12 inch board?

5 1/2 x 5 12 inches (140 x 140 mm) Shrinkage is more pronounced laterally (across the grain) than it is longitudinally (with the grain), so a board sold as an 8-foot 2 x 4 is generally very close to the full 8 feet in length.

How many cubic inches is a board foot?

Instead, suppliers generally sell hardwoods in a unit of volume known as the board foot. One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. In other words, a board that is 1 inch thick, and 12 inches wide and long contains one board foot of hardwood lumber.

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