WOOD & MATERIALS
Sheet Goods
Guides about sheet goods.
13 guides
15/32 Plywood: What It Is and When to Use It
The Half-Inch Confusion, CDX Grades, and When You Can Substitute
15/32 plywood measures 0.469"—1/32" under nominal 1/2". Learn what CDX means, how to read the grade stamp, and when to substitute.
3/4 Plywood: Actual Thickness, Types, and Grades
How to Choose the Right Sheet for Cabinets and Shop Projects
3/4 plywood is actually 23/32 inch thick. Learn the six types, what the letter grades mean, and which sheet to buy for cabinets and shop projects.
1/2 Inch Plywood: Grades, Uses, and How to Choose
The sheet labeled '1/2 inch' actually measures 15/32". Here's what grades mean, which projects it's right for, and how to buy it without getting burned.
Choosing the Right Plywood Sheet
Thickness, Grades, Species, and How to Choose the Right Sheet
Every plywood thickness is thinner than labeled. Actual dimensions, grades, species, and how to choose the right 4x8 sheet for cabinets and furniture.
CDX vs ACX vs Marine Grade
Types, Grades, and How to Choose
Exterior plywood grades explained: CDX vs ACX vs marine grade, when pressure-treated is required, and how to pick the right thickness outdoors.
What Is Half Inch Plywood?
Actual Thickness, Span Limits, and When to Use 3/4" Instead
Half inch plywood actually measures 15/32". Learn the real span limits, how it compares to 3/4", and which projects call for it versus when to step up.
How to Laminate Plywood
Custom Thickness, Better Strength, Basic Clamps
Learn how to laminate plywood by face-gluing two or more sheets. Covers glue selection, clamping setup, flattening, and when to DIY vs. buy.
Maple Plywood vs Birch Plywood: Which for Cabinets?
Cost, hardness, finish behavior — when each one is the right call
Maple plywood costs more but takes stain better. Birch is the budget pick for paint-grade. Side-by-side breakdown for cabinets and shelving.
Marine Plywood vs ACX Plywood
What It Is, When You Need It, and When ACX Will Do
Marine-grade plywood has a void-free core and WBP adhesive—but it's not waterproof wood. Learn the standards, species, and when ACX is the smarter buy.
How to Prime MDF Without Fiber Puffing
How to Seal and Prime MDF So Paint Actually Sticks
MDF absorbs paint like a sponge unless you prime it correctly. Which primer to use, how to handle the tricky edges, and how to avoid fiber puffing.
Is Melamine Good for Cabinet Boxes?
What It Is, When to Use It, and How to Work With It
Melamine is a hard plastic coating fused to particle board or MDF, not a material itself. Here's what to know before you buy a sheet.
Red Oak vs. White Oak Plywood
Red vs. White, Veneer Cuts, Grades, and What to Buy
Oak plywood comes in red and white oak, three veneer cuts, and multiple grades. Learn which to buy for cabinets and furniture.
What Is MDF? Properties, Uses, and When to Choose It
The sheet good that takes paint better than anything else
MDF is wood fibers compressed into smooth, stable panels. Learn its properties, how it compares to plywood, when to use it, and how to finish it right.