What Is Cabinet-Grade Plywood? (Find Out Now!)
If there is one thing that many people underestimate, it’s how many types of plywood there are. We’ve already discussed stuff like fire-rated plywood as well as birch plywood. One of the more commonly mentioned types of plywood is “cabinet grade” plywood. This might be a bit confusing for people to hear about. So, what does it mean if plywood is cabinet graded?
Cabinet-grade plywood is any type of plywood that is considered to be sturdy and consistent enough to be used in the creation of cabinetry. Most of this plywood will be the “cream of the crop.” It will be strong, easy to stain or varnish, and will contain minimal amounts of resin.
Getting the right type of plywood for your cabinetry might seem like a minimally problematic issue, but let’s be real. It’s important to know what your cabinets are made of.
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What Kind Of Plywood Is Cabinet-Grade Plywood?
When you are working to make your own cabinetry, you want to get good plywood. Cabinet-grade plywood is considered to be the best type of plywood for furniture and cabinetry. This is particularly true when it comes to looks. Technically, cabinet-grade plywood is any type of hardwood plywood that has a smooth, elegant cabinet-worthy veneer.
However, that’s just the technicality.
Cabinet-grade plywood is an umbrella term for high-quality, smooth plywood that can work as a cabinetry material. While it doesn’t have to be extremely sturdy, most plywood manufacturers make an effort to create wood that’s also durable and moisture-resistant. That’s just good business.
How Is Cabinet-Plywood Graded?
Though most people tend to view this all as a major grouping, there’s more to this than meets the eye. It’s important to remember that there are different grades of cabinet plywood. Here’s what you need to know:
- Most cabinet plywood will have grades between B5 and A1. You can find out the specific grading from the stamp on the wood.
- B5 to B3 means that the plywood will hold up well, but that it is only good for painting. If you try to varnish or stain the wood, it may end up looking cheap. It may not even take.
- Only A1 and A2 is good enough for a full varnish. This type of wood has the highest quality appearance out of all the options on this list. You are going to be able to make people think that this is actually hardwood in a blink of an eye.
What Kind Of Wood Is Cabinet-Graded Plywood Made From?
Cabinet-graded plywood can be made from virtually any type of hardwood. However, it’s usually made from inexpensive hardwoods such as birch, certain types of mahogany, or certain types of maple. In many cases, you can find out exactly what the primary type of wood used to make the plywood is through labels on the wood’s display. Online, you can usually find out by searching up the specific wood type you want.
How Much Does Cabinet-Graded Plywood Cost?
Though it’s not considered to be “real wood” by builders, the cost of plywood is also based on the current price of lumber. At the time of this writing, lumber is going through an extreme uptick in price. Typical cabinet-grade plywood will run anywhere from $80 to $150 per sheet, depending on the current price of wood as well as where you get it from.
This often takes people by surprise. Plywood is often seen as a cheaper alternative to wood, but it’s important to remember that this is considered to be an upgrade. Good plywood can actually outlast regular types of wood, you know.
Is Cabinet-Graded Plywood A Good Idea?
Cabinet-graded plywood is a great choice for any kitchen or bathroom cabinetry. In fact, it’s often considered to be a major upgrade on the goods, simply because it is as durable as it is. Many people will not be able to tell the difference between high-quality cabinet-grade plywood and the real deal.
This is a type of wood that’s respect is often well-earned. If you want to save some money on hardwood and want to make the most of your new upgrade, give plywood a try. It will not let you down, and you will love it.
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Related Questions
What is the cheapest grade of plywood to buy?
All plywoods are graded from A to D, with D being the cheapest type of plywood you can buy. D grade plywood is dirt cheap because it doesn’t look usually look good, contains a lot of resins, and is difficult to work with. Unlike most other plywoods, this plywood has not been repaired and can contain knots up to 2.5 inches in diameter.In other words, it’s extremely low quality wood that is often used for cheap projects. In many cases, it also is not as durable.
Why is lumber so expensive right now?
The recent uptick in lumber prices is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for lumber shot up during the pandemic. However, there was little supply as a result of people being unable to go to work and having supply chains shut down. While lumber production is starting to pick up once more, supply chain woes are still making it hard to get a full delivery of the wood that people want.According to the most recent studies, supply chains are not expected to recover until early 2023 or late 2022. If you can put off your project until then, it may be a good idea.
Is plywood stronger than MDF?
Plywood is typically stronger than MDF, primarily because of the way that it is made. This is one of the reasons why plywood cabinetry is considered to be a better option than MDF. If you want to get the strongest type of plywood, try to find high density plywood or a type of plywood that is load-bearing. This is the type of wood that people use for heavy load-bearing cabinetry and shelving.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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