Ask five carpenters which plywood to use and you may get five brand names. A better route is to answer four questions in order, and let the brand follow.
1. Where will the piece stand?
A study table in a fifth-floor bedroom and a cabinet beside a ground-floor kitchen window are different cases, even if the design is identical. In a dry room, MR plywood is usually acceptable. Where humidity or splashes are expected, step up to BWR. Where water actually touches the board, consider marine.
2. What does each part do?
Not every part needs the same board. Back panels are bracing; sides carry load; shelves bend; tops get worn. Match thickness to the job: see the thickness guide.
3. What will cover it?
Laminate and veneer show every flaw underneath. If the face will be visible, you need a smooth, patch-free surface. If it is hidden, you can accept a rougher face and save.
4. Then the brand and range
Within a brand, ranges are priced differently. Ask which range the quote is for, and compare quotes for the same grade and thickness. Our brands page lists the names we can quote.
A short checklist for the shop
- Sheet is flat when stood on edge
- Edges show a tight core without gaps
- Thickness is consistent when measured at several points
- Brand and grade marking is printed on the sheet
- Quote says per sheet or per sq ft, with or without GST
Not sure which grade fits your job? Send us the room, the piece and the quantity. We will suggest what to compare.