While using the word plywood, not all our definitions fit in the original description of a traditional ply.
We use it as a general term for any wood products engineered properly for various uses.
However, the manufacture and production of each is there for a specific purpose and varies a lot on factors like thickness, ply number, and a lot more.
A ply thickness varies from 1/8 inches to 1-1/4 inches.
It all depends on why you need to utilize a ply, and then its final thickness should be determined.
What Is 19 32 Plywood?
A 19/ 32 sized ply is 1/ 32 inches less than the nominal thickness and which is the standard rule for applying ply thickness.
For the nominal thickness of 5/8 inches, 19/32 becomes the actual thickness.
Nominal & Actual levels of thickness
Let’s learn about nominal and actual thickness, a number you often see on a ply like 19/ 32.
The two most common methods used for judging these are Nominal and Actual thickness.
- Nominal thickness is the thickness of ply before its sanding process.
- Actual, as the name suggests, is the thickness that you get and is 1/32” less than the nominal one.
- The major reason for this anomaly is a difference in the commercial manufacturing of plywood.
- The machines at the manufacturing plant have been designed to manage the nominal thickness, and beyond that, the calibration becomes an issue.
- Many of the manufacturers are now printing the actual thickness, which is a decent thing but can be a mathematic gimmick!
PS – Moisture also affects the thickness of a ply and can make it look even thinner due to humidity.
Choosing plywood thickness:
It can be a daunting aspect for many as you can get confused by a plethora of ply varieties in the market.
Now that many manufacturers have begun to imprint actual thickness, things have become tougher for everyone.
However, you just need to consider the following factors in general and good to go.
- Thickness where more the plywood’s thickness, simply stronger it is, and vice-versa.
- Ply number is also an important parameter where the more the layers of plies, the more their strength.
- You can achieve flexibility via spacing the supporting elements at regular distances from the center.
- The strongest point in a ply is the point that is parallel to the face veneer and called the strength axis.
Plywood grades:
One can distribute plywood by giving grades, and a higher grade means a better product.
For instance, in the US, they have four softwood plies graded into A, B, C, and D.
Each ply sheet gets two grades like AC, BC, and so on.
A third character, X, indicates its use safe for the exterior only.
- A grade is the most superior among all, and they are smooth and paintable.
- B grade has a semi-solid surface with some slight repairs or patches on its surface, and some B-Grade plies also have some tight knots.
- C grade comes with Tight knots with some clear splits and vivid discoloration.
- Lastly, the D grade has knotted appearance with more than 2-1/2 inches and no visible repairs.
PS – Visit the APA or American plywood association for in detail and technical details about these things.
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1.) How much is the actual thickness for ¾ inches of ply?
Answer: 19mm.
Do this calculation easily by subtracting around 1/32 inches thickness by sanding from the nominal thickness, and what comes is the actual one.
Q2.) How much thick is the 15/32 plywood?
Answer: ½ inches.
The formula is the same, where the nominal thickness of ½ inches becomes 15/32 due to the sanding process.
Q3.) What is the name given to plywood of ¾”?
Answer: 23/32 inches.
Nominal thickness was ¾ inches, so actual thickness becomes 23/ 32, and so is its name.
Q4.) What do you mean by an OSB 32/ 16?
Answer: This is the coding for a SHEATHING SPAN and comes as two numbers with a slash.
The MOC is indicated by the first digit of the number or maximum on-center support for roof sheaths.
While the second digit indicates the MOC for subflooring spacing.
Q5.) What are the uses of a BC Ply?
Answer: The use of BC plywood which has been a popular sanded wood panel, is popular in both residences and commercial spaces.
It comes with some more uses in DIY or interior applications.
Q6.) How much is the cost for a 4 x 8 plywood?
Answer: All prices are for treated plywood, and it goes in the range of $25 to $80 for different nominal thicknesses of 3/8, ½, ¾, and ¼.
For the hardwood of an Oak or Birch, expect $25 to $40.
Q7.) How much live load can the ply of actual thickness 23/ 32 hold?
Answer: 240 lbs. with a span rating of 20oc.
There are some other maximum live loads of 16oc, 24oc, and 32oc, which can hold around 240 pounds.
Q8.) Which is the best ply for subfloor usages?
Answer: OSB should be a minimum of 23/ 32 inches because it does not hold any fastener.
In simple words, go for a minimum nominal thickness of 5/8 inches.
Q9.) What is the most common length for commercial plywood?
Answer: Four feet x Eight feet is the most common.
Hardwood plies also come in sheets of two by two or four by four, and utility ones are typically costlier at four-by-ten feet.
Q10.) How can one read the cm mark on a tape?
Answer: 1mm or 1/10th of a centimeter is the smallest marking present on such a tape.
Large markings show centimeters, and a long mark indicates a half-centimeter.
So, for reading them correctly, just read them up to the nearest cm towards the ending.
Q11.) What is marine plywood?
Answer: The Marine ply is simply a superior ply that one can carve simply from hardwood and uses waterproof glue.
But it is not rot-resistant because it does not have any chemicals.
Buying higher grades of marine plywood ensure that you get a long-lasting product.
Q12.) What are the uses of an OSB 19/ 32 rated sheathing?
Answer: By now, we know that OSB is one the most liked product due to its superior mechanical properties, which makes it a great fit for load-bearing works.
And that is why it has been more popular in the structural panel market than a ply, and its uses are sheathing in interiors of the outdoor roof decking.
Q13.) What do we mean by an APA in plywood?
Answer: American plywood association came into play in the 1964s when improvements made their way in adhesive technology.
Since then, the APA has been a premier organization dedicated to the cause.
Q14.) How strong is BC plywood?
Answer: Due to its intended rough and tough usage requirements, BC ply is very sturdy and stiff.
It has been extended for usage on the exterior and will be exposed to violent weather; that is why its make is rigid.
Q15.) Is there any difference between B-C & A-C Plywood?
Answer: These are the grades of a ply where B-C is a lot cheaper than A grades of ply.
B grade often has some defects, and color steaks, whereas the C backside has more prominent defects, so it is good for placing inside.
Q16.) What is a ply with grade BC?
Answer: It has a smooth surface, where one side has a B-grade sanded version and whose back has Grade-C ply.
For all those jobs, who need a sanded product, BC is a smart choice.
Q17.) Which is better out of MDF/ Plywood?
Answer: Since the MDF does not chip off easily, it becomes a perfect option for drilling and chipping works.
Ply is simply more robust than the MDF and hence works best in indoors or interiors, and even exteriors.
Q18.) Why are prices of ply and lumber so high?
Answer: Record-low mortgage rates.
Home prices are going breathtakingly high, and demand is at an all-time high.
For instance, In This Year and from Jan to May, a 30% jump came at its prices!
Q19.) Which is the strongest ply in the market?
Answer: It must be Marine Ply as it comes with superior glue, which makes it water-resistant and gives strength as well.
Final Verdict:
By now, we have understood that plywood is normally any wood that one can engineer or reinforce for strength and other needs.
It comes in a variety of thicknesses to meet a lot of demands, such as heavy snowfall on the roof or other individualistic requirements.
There are two types of thickness that have been associated with plywood and are Nominal and Actual thickness.
A nominal thickness is a grade on which industries manufacture plies before sanding and normally come in thicknesses like 5/8, ½ inches, etc.
Nominal thicknesses work like this because there can be a lot of disparity between industry machines and actual market demands.
It is tough to recalibrate it many times, so they follow the industry norm to save time and money.
After the ply is ready, it can degrade by about 1/32 of an inch, and this is what we call an actual thickness, and it helps in the final fitting of ply in houses.
For instance, a five by eight nominally thick ply will have an actual thickness of about 19/ 32.
Pay attention to it for sure next time you buy them.
Thanks For Reading!