Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 21, 2005 01:05am | #1

   Here's a handy page for reference on plywood grades:
   http://www.tpub.com/content/construction/14043/css/14043_75.htm

   In the example you gave, AB is an interior plywood with a higher quality face on the A side than the B side.  CDX is a lower quality on both sides from the AB plywood, X means exterior glue. 

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Feb 21, 2005 02:04am | #2

   Toolfreak... You pose a good question that beginners often overlook. ForestGirl's reply is good info if you know how to translate it. An 'A' face as in AC SHOULD be free of any defects. (think wall paneling. There should be NO repairs (dutchmen), splits, knots, worm-holes or anything else. It is the face the customer will be looking at. The 'C' face WILL have dutchmen (football shaped plugs), knot-holes and other defects in it but should not have any splits or voids. It will be the 'back of the back' for a wall cabinet.

   CDX is the grade of plywood used for the decking of your roof and the 'skin' of your house. It will be completely hidden from view, covered by siding or roofing material. It is structurely sound, but not something you would want to see on a day-to-day basis. Its BETTER face is the 'C' side. The 'D' face will have all sorts of defects... Splits, knot-holes etc. The core (center) material will have some 'voids' (spaces) in it. And as ForestGirl pointed out, it is assembled with waterproof glue. Home Despot and other 'big box' retailers usually stock BC grade, There will be some small defects but if you are cutting the 4 x 8 sheets into smaller pieces, it could be a good buy, as you will be cutting out the defect areas.
   SawdustSteve

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 21, 2005 02:37am | #3

   Hi Steve.  The pertinent info was in the link I posted (didn't have time to paraphrase it into the post).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)