Understanding plywood sizes will help you get the perfect dimensions for what you need.

Plywood is one of the most commonly used materials in the United States, with a total production of 716 million cubic feet a year, according to a 2018 report from Statista. Plywood is most often used as a wood packaging material for transporting products, other timber, etc. It can even be used in the production of crates, pallets, and skids.

Plywood is durable, strong, and lightweight. Because of its versatility, it can be manufactured into larger sizes than solid wood can. Standard plywood sizes are the easiest and cheapest option to procure.

One size does not fit all for plywood uses. Plywood can come in many different dimensions and variations. You may not be aware of the plywood sizes available or what the differences are. Here, we will discuss the different plywood sizes, thicknesses, and lengths available. The type of plywood you need also helps in determining what size would work best.

Before looking for certain plywood sizes, you need to first learn what plywood is and how manufacturing can affect the different dimensions. Plywood is made from layering thin wood, called wood veneers, together and adhering it with glue. The wood grain of each layer is placed perpendicularly to the next layer. This normalizes material properties to help with shrinkage and swelling behavior.

Ply refers to the number of layers that plywood sizes receive and ultimately determines the thickness. The higher number of layers used, the more strength the piece of plywood will have. Wood veneers can vary in thickness themselves, so be sure to check the exact thickness instead of how many plies it has.

Plywood sizes typically come in three, five, or multi-ply, with three-ply being the most popular.

Plywood is a necessity in the transportation packaging industry. Manufacturers and businesses depend on plywood sizes that work for a myriad of things. Standard plywood sizes are generally easier to obtain and do not cost as much as specialty sizes.

The standard sheet of plywood measures 4 x 8 feet. However, it can come in a variety of different thicknesses, so not all standard plywood sizes are the exact same.

In the United States, the length and width of plywood are measured in standard units. The most common plywood sizes are 4 x 8 and 5 x 5 feet.

Softwood is also available in plywood sizes 2 x 2 feet, 2 x 4 feet, and 4 x 4 feet. Utility plywood can be made up to 10 feet long for larger projects. The ability to get different dimensions is part of the reason plywood is so popular within the packaging industry.

Standard sheets of plywood are generally ½ inch thick, while non-standard thicknesses range from 1/8 inch to ¾ inch. For softwood, the 4 x 8 feet sheet is often coupled with ¾ thickness.

Although the standard plywood sizes range from ¼ to ¾ inch in thickness, in reality, it is slightly thinner. After the plywood is manufactured, it will shrink as it dries making it thinner than originally cut. Also, the top layer is sanded after the plywood sheet is made. The sanding process will take a small amount of the thickness away as well.

The actual thickness will be:

Plywood sizes can range depending on what type of wood is being used, the grade of the plywood, and what it is being purchased for. Depending on your exact needs, will determine which plywood sizes would work best for your business and supply chain. Keep in mind, the loss of thickness that naturally occurs during the plywood manufacturing process.

Plywood is just one small piece of the puzzle of getting products to where they need to go. Conner Industries has over 40 years of experience being a leading supplier in the packaging industry. We provide standard-size and custom pallets for our customers in multiple industries. Along with crates and integrated industrial packaging.

Work with a supplier that can help you get the most out of your transportation packaging. Reach out to our team of knowledgeable and experienced staff to see how we can help you today!