How Is CDX Plywood Made?
CDX plywood can tell you a lot about how it is made simply in its name. The ‘CDX’ is actually a combination of ratings that provide information as to the quality and construction of the plywood.
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The ‘X’ in CDX plywood refers to the way in which the different layers of plywood veneers are glued together. Depending on the quality of glue used, the plywood will be more or less susceptible to damage due to exposure. When it comes to CDX plywood, the ‘X’ signifies exposure, which means that while CDX plywood is slightly water-resistant, it is not waterproof, and therefore the CDX plywood can only withstand a limited amount of moisture over a short period of time before showing signs of degradation.
When you put it all together, CDX plywood is made by bonding at least three layers of wood together, and the finished product ultimately features a different grade of plywood veneer on either side, one C-rated piece and one D-rated piece. Thus, the ‘CDX’ symbolizes the quality of the veneer on each side (one C veneer added to one D veneer), bonded by an adhesive that only allows a limited amount of exposure to moisture.
During the CDX plywood adhesive process, manufacturers carefully position the wood grain elements of the plywood so that they are aligned in a way that reduces shrinkage. Sometimes, a lower quality wood is used for interior layers, reserving the better layers for the outside. Nonetheless, CDX plywood ranks as a convenient and affordable sheet of wood composed of several layers. When you think about it, this single piece of CDX plywood actually has a lot of elements to consider!
What Is CDX Plywood Used For?
While the classification of CDX plywood may seem like it is not a very durable option, CDX plywood is actually a perfectly suitable choice for a lot of home building projects, both inside and outside of the home!
Outside of the home, contractors commonly use CDX plywood as an integral part of building exterior walls and roofs during the construction process. Granted, CDX plywood is never used as the final exterior layer, because of its lack of durability. Instead, it is typically used as added support underneath shingles, beneath roofing felt, and behind insulation and siding.
How Long Can CDX Plywood Be Exposed?
Homeowners considering using CDX plywood for their next project should recognize that, by no means is CDX plywood fit for extensive exposure to the elements, because it is not weatherproof. Rain and snow can serve as a serious threat to the integrity of a structure made with CDX plywood. With that said, CDX plywood is capable of withstanding limited exposure to moisture – including rain and snow.
However, if a building project drags on and the CDX plywood experiences repeated assaults of rain and snow, say over the course of the winter, then this can pose a severe problem for the building project.
In general, CDX plywood should not be left as the first line of defense against heavy moisture on the exterior part of a building, especially over an extended period of time. However, when used on the interior, such as in a bathroom, laundry area, or another room that experiences frequent humidity, the composition of CDX plywood should be able to hold up reliably.
What Is CDX Treated Plywood?
Plywood in general – and especially CDX plywood – is known for being susceptible to damage from everyday elements. That is why manufacturers have come up with a solution that reinforces the integrity of CDX plywood to make it a better fit for holding up against rain, snow, humidity, and mold. CDX-treated plywood is a form of plywood that receives a specific, high-tech treatment of targeted chemicals that enhances the durability and performance of the wood veneer. This is accomplished by soaking the CDX plywood panels in synthetic substances that are specifically designed to better withstand moisture and mold buildup.
Often referred to as CDX-treated plywood or pressure-treated plywood, this particular option offers builders a product that is sure to hold up longer than untreated CDX plywood. This matters because increased durability extends the life of CDX plywood, which means that homeowners will have to deal with less maintenance, like repainting or replacing CDX plywood panels. As most homeowners know, continually repainting, staining, or replacing segments of full sheets of CDX plywood panels can be a pain. Anything that can prolong the performance and longevity of a product is a big plus when it comes to home ownership and maintenance, so CDX plywood that has been treated with extra protective qualities is a popular choice.
CDX Plywood Vs. OSB
If you are new to working with plywood, it is easy to get some of the options mixed up. For example, many first-time homeowners confuse CDX plywood with OSB plywood. But the truth is that, even though both OSB and CDX plywood are commonly used in a single home construction site, there is a big difference between these two plywood types!
OSB which stands for oriented strand board, is composed of wood chips bonded together with resin and glue.
Because of these differences, OSB is generally the better choice for exterior roofing projects and shingle foundations. In addition to being more affordable, the ability to withstand higher levels of moisture is such a significant benefit to the OSB board.
CDX Plywood Sizes, Thickness, & Availability
If you are set on using CDX plywood for your next home-building project, then it is time to explore the options available in terms of size, thickness, and availability. The good news is that CDX plywood is available at most home and garden stores, since it is a common material used for home DIY and construction projects. CDX plywood sizes are typically available in sizes 3, 5, 7, and 9, and there are a variety of thicknesses available, ranging from 1/4 inch to 1 1/4 inch thickness. In addition, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 thicknesses are usually available at most stores, too. When considering CDX plywood thicknesses, remember that these are nominal sizes, and you should account for a deduction of about 1/32 inches after sanding, which most projects will require.
Determining If It’s Right for You
As you can see, CDX plywood offers a lot of pros and cons. Be sure to consider the specific needs of your project to determine if CDX plywood is fit for the task at hand. Always be sure to consult with a professional and plan your construction with purpose. CDX plywood is an excellent resource for homeowners and contractors who are looking for an affordable, durable sheathing solution.
Plywood is an engineered wood from the manufactured boards family which includes particle board and oriented strand board (OSB). It is made from thin sheets of veneer peeled from debarked wood. These thin layers, also called plies, are glued together in alternating right angles to create a cross-grain pattern. This pattern adds strength and stability that resists shrinkage and expansion caused by moisture.
Plywood is a popular choice in construction because of its strength and low cost. It is used in areas hidden from view that offer support such as floors, walls, roofs and garages in residential construction.
When used for roofing, plywood panels are covered and protected by other materials that keep the elements at bay, including roof felt, underlayment, flashing and shingles. When used in flooring, plywood creates a subfloor that supports hardwoods, tile and carpet floors.
Stainable and paintable plywood is ideal for shelving, cabinets and furniture. Outside the home, plywood can be transformed into fencing materials, packaging materials, scaffolding, sheds and shipping containers.
There are several common types of plywood:
Sanded plywood features face and back (top and bottom) plies that are sanded in the manufacturing process. It is used in places where it is visible, such as for cabinets, shelves and paneling.
Hardwood plywood is made from hardwoods like birch, maple and oak. The plies are glued at right angles to one another, making the plywood very strong and stable. It can be heavier than other types of plywood. Use hardwood plywood for furniture and anything that requires a strong load-bearing frame.
Plywood sheathing or structural plywood is designed for permanent structures. It is strong and inexpensive, but unfinished, and therefore not suitable for places where it will show. It should be covered by other types of materials. Use plywood sheathing for framing, beams, flooring and bracing panels.
Project plywood panels are ready-to-use, pre-cut plywood boards designed for quick and easy DIY projects. There are various types of wood, ply and plywood alternatives available. Use this for planned DIY projects when you know the measurements. It’s a great material for beginner DIYers.
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Markerboard has plywood panels with a coated writing surface to use with dry erase markers only. It is ideal for craft tables or finished markerboards.
A ply refers to a layer of veneer used to create plywood’s various thicknesses. More ply creates a thicker and stronger board. Plywood has an odd number of plies and needs at least three plies. Although specialty plywood can have any number of plies above three, most plywood is categorized as 3-ply, 5-ply or multi-ply.
3-ply is one of the most common types of plywood. It is about 2- to 3-millimeters thick and is generally used indoors, since it looks more decorative than thicker plywood boards.
5-ply is a versatile type of plywood that is about 4-millimeters thick. Use it indoors or outdoors, but avoid using for framing permanent structures, such as a shed or a home.
Multi-ply is a catchall term for plywood with seven or more plies. This plywood is strong and durable enough for use in roofing, framing and other exterior, structural projects.
Tip: Plywood with fewer plies is weaker than a plywood with more plies, even if they have the same thickness.
Plywood is sold in various ratings, grades and sizes. Make your selection based on the type of project you’re working on.
Plywood Ratings:
There are five important ratings that convey where and how to use plywood: Exterior, Exposure 1, Exposure 2, Interior and Structural 1.
Exterior means the panels have been waterproofed and can withstand inclement weather. Use exterior rated plywood for permanent outdoor structures that will be exposed to water long-term.
Exposure 1 means the panels have been waterproofed and can withstand exposure to the elements during construction. However, they are not suitable for long-term exposure post-construction.
Exposure 2 means the panels are made with an intermediate glue that is not fully waterproof. These panels can withstand occasional moisture but are otherwise intended for interior use.
Interior means the panels are not waterproof and are designed for interior use only. They should not be exposed to moisture.
Structural 1 is rated for seismic retrofit work, meaning it is designed to be earthquake resistant. Unless they have a Structural 1 rating, other plywood panels of any width are not suited for seismic retrofitting.
Plywood Grades:
There are four grades of plywood: A, B, C and D. The grade refers to the quality and appearance of the plywood’s face and back veneers. A has the highest quality and is the most expensive, and D is the least expensive.
A-grade plywood features a smooth, sanded surface without knots. Any wood defects have been repaired with synthetic filler, so the veneer can be painted. A-grade plywood is ideal for furniture or cabinet doors.
B-grade plywood also features a smooth, sanded surface, but may have more repaired defects up to 1-inch across.
C-grade is unsanded and may have several minor defects that will need to be repaired with knots up to 1 1/2 inches across, discoloration and sanding defects. C-grade plywood should be used when appearance is not important, such as for subfloors or garages.
D-grade is also unsanded with defects that have not been repaired and knot holes up to 2 1/2 inches across, discoloration and sanding defects.
You may also find ratings with two-letter classifications, such as BC. BC-grade is a mix grade plywood with one side graded a B, while the other side is graded a C.
Plywood Sizes:
The most common plywood sizes are 4- x 8-feet sheets and 5- x 5-feet sheets.
Most places also carry pre-cut project panels that are available in different sizes that may vary by store. These project panels help eliminate waste, cut costs and are easier to transport than full-size panels.
The most common thickness of plywood is 1/2-inch, but plywood thickness can range from 1/8-inch to 3/4 inches.
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