Plywood and Other Sheet Goods
One way to categorize plywood is to group it as construction grade or specialty plywood. Construction grade plywood is the material found in big box stores that is sold in bulk to builders and homeowners, mainly for sheathing purposes.
At The WoodSource, we don’t sell construction grade plywood. Instead, we focus on stocking high-end specialty plywood like Baltic birch, cabinet grade, and marine plywood.
Shop our stocked inventory below or read further to learn more about our range of products.
Shop Baltic Birch Plywood
Shop Cabinet Grade Plywood
Shop Marine Grade Plywood
The WoodSource currently stocks meranti marine plywood at both of our retail locations. Okoume and teak and holly plywood are available as a special order.
Learn more: Buying Marine Plywood – What You Need to Know.
Shop Other Sheet Goods
Plywood Basics
When purchasing plywood in-store or online, you’ll see a variety of abbreviations in the product descriptions. These abbreviations indicate the type of veneer cut, what the core is made of, and how the plywood is graded.
Veneer: The visible top and bottom layer of the plywood.
Crossband: A second layer underneath the top and bottom veneer. These sheets typically run across the grain to provide additional stability.
Core: This makes up the inner part of the plywood.
Veneer Cuts
There are four ways to cut wood into the top and bottom veneers. The way veneer is cut is important because it drastically affects the grain pattern and how the veneer looks.
Flat Cut
Abbreviated FC or FS in The WoodSource product descriptions.
A half log (flitch) is repeatedly sliced parallel to a line through the center of the log.
This type of cut produces a variegated grain.
Rotary Cut
Usually labelled Rotary in product descriptions.
The full log is mounted on a lathe and a continuous sheet is cut.
A rotary cut follows the growth rings and creates a bold grain.
Quarter Cut
Abbreviated QTD in product descriptions.
A log is quartered before slices are cut at a right angle to the growth rings.
Quarter cut creates grain stripes in the veneer. Sometimes the lines are straight, sometimes the lines are varied (depending on the species).
Rift Cut
Often labelled Rift in product descriptions.
A quartered log is tilted at a slight angle (15°) so that slices are perpendicular to the growth ring.
The angled cut creates a comb grain effect on the veneer.
Core Options
For strength and durability choose veneer core. A Veneer core has less flexibility and is generally stronger than plywood with a particle core.
For stability choose particle core. Since the core is made of pressed sawdust, it is less prone to warping and therefore is more stable.
Veneer Core
Also called plywood core. Abbreviated VC in product descriptions.
Thin layers of wood veneer are glued together to make up the core.
Often the product description will also include how many layers (plys) are in the board. Generally, the more plys in plywood, the more stable the panel will be.
Particle Core
Abbreviated PC in product descriptions.
The core is made up of pressed sawdust and glue.