Are you looking for some woodwork done but don’t know where to start? Is the Budget an issue for you? Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Everything about the interior and exterior types are covered in the article below. We cover everything from how much sheets and pieces of plywood cost to 4 different grades and square feet.
Summary
The cost of sheets and pieces of plywood normally ranges between $6 and $75, dictated by factors like the material and thickness. Plywood sheets come in grades A, B, C, & D, which dictate the cost for a 4×8 square feet sheet. The better the grade, the higher the cost of the piece of plywood.
In this article, we also take a look at the following topics:
- What is sheathing plywood used for?
- Plywood prices chart
- Why are plywood prices so high?
- When will plywood prices go down?
- Factors affecting the cost of plywood
- Types of plywood
- Standard plywood sizes
What is sheathing plywood used for?
The sheathing is used to provide support to various structures in and around the house. The sheathing is thus strong and quite cheap compared to others. However, it has a rustic and unfinished look that is unsuitable for showing off, so it must be covered with other materials. The sheathing is also used to join studs, ceiling, flooring, and sides and bracing together panels.
Plywood prices chart
Here is a chart to inform you of the average price you can expect in the market for different types of ply.
By wood type
| Type | Thickness (Inches) | Size | Price |
| Oak | 1/4 | 4×8 | $26 |
| Sanded BC Pine | 1/4 | 4×8 | $13.50 |
| Birch 3 ply | 1/2 | 4×8 | $42 |
| Sanded Maple | 3/4 | 4×8 | $70 |
| Sanded Cherry | 3/4 | 4×8 | $75 |
By thickness
| Thickness (Inches) | Estimated Price (4×8 sheets) |
| 1/2 | $6 to $11 |
| 1/4 | $6 to $25 |
| 7/16 | $5 to $10 |
| 11/32 | $7 to $14 |
| 15/32 | $10 to $35 |
| 19/32 | $7 to $20 |
| 23/32 | $15 to $40 |
5/8 CDX plywood price
CDX with a thickness of 5/8” and 4×8 feet size will have an average price of $30 per sheet.
4×8 plywood cost
A 4×8 sheet can vary in price between $30 to $70 depending on the wood and the thickness. The higher quality of the wood and the thicker the sheet – the higher the price.
Roofing plywood cost
The sheathing of a roof will depend on the level of damage. It can be done with two sheets if it’s minimal and even as much as 5-10 if it is major.
For roofing, mostly the thickness is 1/4” or 5/8” thick. Thus, each sheet can cost between $70-100.
Why are plywood prices so high?
Everything comes down to supply and demand. When the demand for lumber increases, it is usually due to the rise in homebuilding. Every time this happens, the supply chain has to provide. However, the sawmill capacity is not always able to cope. Thus it drives up the price of plywood. When there is plenty of availability, the price also decreases.
Factors like the worldwide pandemic of 2020 also affect the supply chain, and we see plywood prices rise. Wood has many uses, but homebuilding is now a major share of the usage. Thus, the fluctuating demand for homes makes wood prices unstable.
When will plywood prices go down?
Home building demand is expected to go down soon in the coming months. It will happen mostly because the interest rates will go up. When this section of the market dies down in demand, the prices will become more stable. When demand goes down, so does the price.
So, which of the types will you try next?
- Oak
- Sanded BC Pine
- Birch 3 ply
- Sanded Maple
Factors affecting the cost of plywood
Plywood is made with thin sheets of veneer. Many factors affect this price since there are many types and grades. Take a look at the different factors:
- The wood
- The size
- The thickness
- The grade
- The quantity
- The supplier
- The market
The Wood
Which wood is the ply made from? Oak is cheaper than Sanded maple but not cheaper than Sanded BC Pine. Birch 3 ply is of medium range while Sanded Maple is almost the same as Sanded Cherry.
Size
When you’ve got the price of wood settled, the size comes next. Obviously, the bigger the dimensions, the more the price. Sometimes you may not need the whole sheet.
A little might be leftover, but it cannot be taken back. Therefore, keeping the right dimension in mind and buying the closest sheet size available to avoid many leftovers is important.
Thickness
Thickness is a factor that determines quality. The thicker the components, the stronger it is, hence the higher price.
Grade
Grades are sorted according to density. The higher the grade, the better the sheet. For instance, A grade sheet is very strong and visually appealing to the eye. It can be used for exterior and interior purposes. It is also smooth and free of any holes. Lower grades are prone to less density and an unfinished, rough look that may be filled with holes and knots.
Quantity
If you’re buying one or two sheets, you may be charged higher than in bulk. Bulk prices will be charged less than buying retail.
Supplier
Cut out the middleman, and you’re in for a good deal. It means if you get your wood from a factory or rural mill, you are likely to get a discount compared to an upscale shop in the city’s center.
Market
Just like the market fluctuates the prices of gold and silver, the same goes for wood. Supply and demand forces are always in motion, and thus prices fluctuate. Although wood is not as unstable as precious metals and currency, large events like the pandemic will be a major determinant in the market.
Types of plywood
There are several types of ply for several different uses. Let’s cover them below.
Sanded
It is a type you can show off, and hence it is applied in visible places. The finish is smooth and free of holes because it is sanded during processing. You can also use it in cabinets and panels around the house for a decorative look.
Project panels
These are great for woodwork enthusiasts who are just starting. Not only are they pre-cut and ready to use, but they also come in very handy sizes appropriate for small project use.
Hardwood
This type of ply is strong since it is bound together at right angles. The hardwood can be used for furniture and other high-capacity projects that require a strong framework. Its strength comes from the maple and birch wood used in its production.
Sheathing
It is a very common type. It is strong like hardwood but doesn’t have a good finish and appeal from the outside. It is why it’s used mostly on the inside of structures where it won’t be visible.
Orient Strand Board
It is a rough sheet mostly made of rectangular strands of wood stuck together in a curing process. It has strength but not much appeal
CDX
A type mostly used for exteriors like roofing and walls, it has two faces of different grades. One is a C grade, and the other is a D grade. The X stands for exposure which is usually 1.
Standard plywood sizes
The most common size it is available in is 4×8 feet and 5×5 feet. Other sizes are listed below
- 8×4 feet
- 9×4 feet
- 10×4 feet
- 7.8×4 feet
- 8.2×4 feet
- 8×3 feet
- 7×4 feet
- 7×3 feet
- 6×4 feet
- 6×3 feet
3/4 inch plywood price
The sizes differ, and so does their thickness. The thickness is a major determinant of strength, and hence different thicknesses have different prices too.
A standard sheet of 4×8 feet in 3/4” thickness will cost anywhere between $70 and $ 75.
1/2” CDX plywood price
It is a special type of sheet in which two grades of ply are stuck together. One is a C grade, while the other is a D. Doing this has the advantage of retaining moisture. CDX is a type of interior and exterior ply. The cost for a 1/2″ inch sheet varies between $25 and $ 30.
OSB plywood prices
Oriented Strand Board is much like plywood and consists of various strands of wood strung together using adhesives. The result is an engineered wood that is quite versatile and resistant.
The price of OSB varies with thickness, but the range is expected to be between $32-$77 for a sheet. The average cost is around $50.
FAQ
Here is some more information about varied sheets and their usage.
The best wood is marine, despite the high prices. It can withstand moisture, unpleasant weather conditions, and rough usage. There are other cheaper options available, like OSB and ACX. However, they won’t be as durable as a piece of marine plywood.
Yes, it is waterproof and water-resistant. Even if some wood is not waterproof, it can be water-resistant with some weatherproofing. You can use liquid latex or waterproof paint to coat your exteriors and make them more durable.
The thinnest sheet you can buy is 1/16″. The price of this can vary from $5 to $30, depending on the size. It is used for flooring, furniture, paper overlay, and other uses in the millwork.
Of all the grades – A, B, C, and D, D is the cheapest since it has an unpolished look. It has a more rough and knotty look that is inappropriate for exterior use. It is generally used in places where it is not visible or covered with other laminations.
Even the most expensive type of ply is cheaper than the cheapest type of lumber. It is because lumber is processed whole wood, while ply is sheets of wood glued together for strength. You can easily find it at your nearest Home Depot or Lowe’s.
Thin sheets of several kinds of wood can be used to make it. The wood can be pine, mahogany, birch, oak, Douglas fir, and maple. Eucalyptus plywood is a type that is rare and grown mostly in Vietnam and China. It has a very smooth finish and great visual appeal. You can also use bamboo plywood for your home countertops, furniture, and cabinets.
Sanded type in half-inch can cost you $26 for a 2×4 feet sheet. While a birchwood in 4x8x3 4 plywood will cost you almost $70. Prices can go up to $300 for a sheet of the best quality, like marine, and be as low as $5 for thin materials.
