Choosing the right wood sheets is important if you’re building furniture, cabinets, or anything else that will be used or seen by the public. Wood sheets come in several different types and are made from different types of wood, so if you don’t know what to look for when choosing wood sheets, you could end up with lower-quality sheets than your project requires. Here are some guidelines to follow when choosing wood sheets to ensure you get the best quality product for your project needs.
Is plywood right for you?
Plywood is one of those building materials that looks fairly simple on its face. It’s nothing more than a few sheets of wood glued together, right? However, once you start looking at different types of plywood and different brands, it can get very confusing quickly. You might think that as long as you pick plywood over solid wood boards (also known as hardwoods), your project will be fine. But are Plywood Marine and hardwoods truly interchangeable? What should you consider when choosing between them? And what about particleboard or MDF? Should you ever use those instead? In short: Yes! If a wood sheet is going to become part of a solid structure (such as flooring or wall paneling), plywood is probably your best bet.
Types of Plywood Panels
The most common type of plywood used for making Furniture is known as exterior-grade or CDX plywood. This high-quality Plywood Marine isn’t typically available at local home improvement stores and must be purchased in bulk at a lumberyard or specialty woodworking store. The benefit of using CDX plywood is that it’s virtually warp-proof. You also have more options in terms of thickness and color with exterior grade panels. Another popular choice among cabinetmakers is medium-density fiberboard (MDF). It costs less than CDX plywood, which can make it appealing to budget-conscious customers who are primarily looking for something functional rather than long-lasting and pretty.
Stains, Varnishes, and Other Coatings
Before a wood sheet can be used on your project, it has to be finished. Generally speaking, a wood sheet will go through one of three stages: staining, varnishing, or another type of coating. Stains are commonly used on wood products because they allow you to achieve a variety of different looks and intensities without completely altering what’s underneath.
Durability, Wear and Tear
If you’re looking at wood as a material, you should consider durability, wear and tear. If it’s furniture or something that’s going to have constant use and will be moved around, often select hardwood. It can last longer than softwood. Softwood is better for table tops and similar materials that don’t get as much use and aren’t prone to heavy abuse. The same goes for outdoor vs indoor pieces; if it will live inside, softwood is great; outdoors or in high-traffic areas (like an entertainment unit), hardwood is better suited.
Wrapping up
Choosing and buying hardwood lumber is a big deal, not only because you can use it to create beautiful furniture and other items in your house, but also because it’s kind of expensive. It’s not something that you should be doing willy-nilly without knowing what you’re getting into. That said, there are a few guidelines that can help make your search for hardwood easier and more efficient.