Plywood Thickness: Weight-Capacity Correlation
by M B on Apr 17, 2015
The thickness of plywood is essential in determining which to use for the intended purpose at hand. In general, most plywood only reaches 1 inch in thickness. Plywood panels usually come in fractions of inches intervals. Plywood thickness is important to know for two reasons.
The thickness of plywood is essential in determining which to use for the intended purpose at hand. In general, most plywood only reaches 1 inch in thickness. Plywood panels usually come in 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, or 1/32 inch intervals.
Plywood thickness is important to know for two reasons. For starters, plywood thickness determines the strength, meaning the thicker the plywood panel is, the stronger it will be. Stronger plywood panels can support more weight, sometimes upwards of several hundred pounds. Thick panels are used in construction purposes, such as in building to support the concrete. On the other hand, thinner panels are used when strength is not that important or the plywood does not have to support as much weight.
Looking at a piece of 12 x 36-inch piece of fir plywood, if it was ¾ inch thick, it could withstand 50 pounds. However, if the thickness was decreased to ¼ inch, it could only withstand about 5 pounds (Shaddy, SF Gate). These numbers make it clear just how important it is to determine the thickness of plywood since weight capacity can diminish so quickly with thickness.
The second reason why plywood thickness is an important factor in construction is the fact that it also determines flexibility. In general, the thicker a piece of plywood is, the less flexible it will be. Therefore, it is extremely important to determine the needed flexibility in correlation with the weight capacity. For instance, a plywood panel should be thicker if it needs to support more weight. However, it should also be on the lower end of the acceptable thickness range if it also needs to be flexible for some reason, such as uneven building structures and various weather conditions.
Other Factors
Several other characteristics play a role in determining the weight capacity and flexibility of plywood. These include the following:
- Species- Different types of wood will react differently to weight and environments, especially if it is softwood versus hardwood (i.e. softwood will be more flexible, but not be able to withstand as much weight).
- Layers- Weight capacity increases with the number of layers of plywood. However, flexibility also decreases.
- Glues- Certain types of glues will help to fortify plywood and make it stronger. They can also help to make the plywood waterproof, which would make them more durable
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
74076 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67745 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
63666 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43693 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27129 Views
Latest Articles
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You Need to Know about Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimeters of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for the Next Generation
on Oct 18, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Investing in real estate is something that people have been doing for a long time. Most people invest in a home, so they can stay at the home. This...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
5 Air Conditioner Repair Tips You Can Do Yourself
When you have an air conditioner, you know how much work this unit requires to keep maintained. You have to ensure that you take care of your unit...
5 Common Home Repairs Using a Miter Saw
Conducting home repairs is now easily done thanks to the availability of power tools in the market. Home renovations can be expensive and at the...
Why Garage Door Installation is not a DIY Task
There is no doubt that the main reason why do-it-yourselfers prefer to install garage doors alone is to save money. But do they really save money...
Easy and Budget-friendly House Improvements: Bathroom Woes Be Gone
Everyone is remodeling their house nowadays. Most of them are not doing a complete overhaul but are only doing a few rooms at a time. But, the most...
Home Renovate: Breathe New Life into Old Furniture
There is no denying the fact that old and antique furniture is any day better than fancy ones that line the market. You must do everything you can...