I am in the design process for constructing a library in my home. I plan to build approximately 25 linear feet of bookcases with a 10 ft height and two large window seats. This room will also contain a built in entertainment center for television and stereo equipment. I am also contemplating a corbeled and paneled ceiling. I am considering using stained poplar plywood for the bookcases and ceiling panels. Naturally, I would prefer mahogany or cherry but cost is a consideration. Does anyone have any other suggestions close in price to poplar? Poplar plywood is approximately $46 per 3/4″ sheet locally.
Thanks,
Stan
Replies
Stan,
I've never been able to get poplar, or birch ply to look like what I want it to. Maybe it's just the stains and poor technique, but mine always looks like stained plywood, instead of the real thing. For the bookcases, you could probably get by with 1/4" cherry ply for the backs and then face the shelves and face frames in solid cherry (or mahogany). The ceiling is another matter. If I were staining anything, I would go with a birch ply instead of poplar. It's about the same price around here ($42-45). I just checked Wall lumber. If you buy 11 or more sheets, you can get 3/4" cherry for $69. 50% more cost, but it will look nice!
Good luck,
Mike
Rethink cherry plywood. The extra cost won't be a lot compared to the value you're adding to the house ... and keep in mind that you're putting all of this time into the improvement and it should look its best. If you're using 20 sheets of plywood at $40 extra per sheet, that's only $800. Not a lot in the scheme of things.
I just did a new kitchen for my son, using cherry plywood, and the result is worthy of a magazine shot. Fabulous. If I'd used poplar plywood I'd have had to paint it, and it'd have looked like a second rate job.
John
Alder is cheap and I've had good luck staining it to look like cherry It could probably be stained mahogany as well.
Here are some other options. You can get veneer plywood in 1/4", with the veneer only on one side. That would be quite reasonable in cost. You could use it on the backs and ceiling. For the carcasses you may not need the best grade of veneer. It won't really show that much and a little character is expected in wood anyway. Only use the better grades on the doors and faces.
You could even go with a couple of one-"bad"-side sheets to make the ends and some of the shelves, depending on their heights.
For a job that large you should be able to get a quantity discount, and buy the lower grades. I've found that ordinary lumber yards have only one supplier and you either get what they stock or nothing, and you pay a markup going through a local yard. If you made a list and shopped it around to some larger plywood dealers (even many states away from you), like those who advertise veneer plywood, you will get a better deal than a price from a lumberyard. And even with shipping you might come out way ahead.
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