Figure 6-5.-Grain direction in a sheet of plywood.Dry from the mill, plywood is never “green.”From ovendry to complete moisture saturation,Figure 6-3.-Laminated and sawed lumber or plywooda plywood panel swells across or along the grainbeam.only about 0.2 of 1 percent and considerably lesswith normal exposures.There is probably no building material asversatile as plywood. It is used for concrete forms,wall and roof sheathing, flooring, box beams,soffits, stressed-skin panels, paneling, partitions,doors, furniture, shelving, cabinets, crates, signs,and many other purposes.SizesPlywood is generally available in panel widthsof 36, 48, and 60 in. and in panel lengths rangingfrom 60 to 144 in. in 12-in. increments. Other sizesare also available on special order. Panels 48 in.wide by 96 in. long (4 by 8 ft), and 48 in. wideby 120 in. long (4 by 10 ft), are most commonlyavailable. The 4 by 8 ft and larger sizes simplifyconstruction, saving time and labor.Nominal thicknesses of sanded panels rangefrom 1/4 to 1 1/4 in. or greater, generally in1/8-in. increments. Unsanded panels are availablein nominal thicknesses of 5/16 to 1 1/4 in. orgreater, in increments of 1/8 in. for thicknessesover 3/8 in. Under 3/8 in., thicknesses are in1/16-in, increments.TypesPlywood is classified by type as INTERIORor EXTERIOR. Made of high-quality veneers andmore durable adhesives, exterior plywood isbetter than interior at withstanding exposure toFigure 6-4.-Scarf joints.the elements. Even when wetted and dried6-9
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