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Last edited 12 May 2023

Plywood A-grade

A-grade Plywood is the highest grade of plywood, Plywood (sometimes referred to simply as ‘ply’) is an engineered sheet timber product that is widely used for construction purposes. It is manufactured from three or more thin layers of wood veneer, or ‘plies’, that are glued together to form a thicker, flat sheet. It is economical, capable of being produced to precise dimensions and is relatively resistant to warping and cracking. I can be purchased as a softwood product, a hardwood product or a combination of both. Plywood generally comes in different grades from grade A-D, though there might also be other grades for the reverse side (1-4). It may also be categorised by class 1-3, which indicates its uses from internal to external.

As the highest grade of plywood, A-grade Plywood has a smooth, sanded surface generally no knots, if there were defects they would have been repaired with a filler and sanded to match. The surface is finished so ready to paint, varnish or potential oil. A-grade plywood is usually used in furniture or cabinet making.

Types of plywood include:

Structural plywood: Used in permanent structures where high strength is needed, such as beams, formwork and bracing panels.
External plywood: Used on exterior surfaces where a decorative or aesthetic finish is important.
Internal plywood: Used for aesthetic finishing of non-structural applications such as wall paneling and ceilings.
Marine plywood: Water resistant plywood that is used in shipbuilding and in parts of buildings where there may be high moisture content, such as roofing or bathrooms.