23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

Understanding Plywood Sheet Sizes

As you shop for plywood for your woodworking projects, you will need to consider not only the various grading classifications, but also the way in which plywood panels are sized. Shopping at a big-box home center might lead you to believe it's an easy matter of choosing 4 x 8 sheets in thicknesses of 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, or 3/4-inch, but it is not that simple—especially if you shop at a specialty lumberyard or woodworking supply outlet.

Thicknesses

Most plywood products suitable for use in woodworking projects are marketed as 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, or 3/4-inch thicknesses, but it's important to realize that these are nominal sizes, not actual dimensions. Just as construction lumber nominal sizes differ from actual dimensions, the same is true of plywood sheet goods:

NOMINAL VS. ACTUAL SIZES
1/4-inch 11/32
1/2-inch 15/32
5/8-inch 19/32
3/4-inch 23/32

Specialty woodworking shops may carry plywood in additional thicknesses, such as 1/8-inch (3/32) panels for use as a facing material.

Although with 1/32-inch difference doesn't seem like much—and it doesn't make much difference in rough construction work where the tolerances are less demanding—it can become an issue in precision woodworking. For instance, if a woodworker is building a bookshelf where a "3/4-inch" plywood shelf is placed into a dado slot cut with a 3/4-inch router bit, there will be a very noticeable 1/32-inch gap, and the shelf will feel a bit sloppy in the dado. To combat this, the dado should be cut at 23/32 inch to ensure a proper fit. All fine cabinetry and woodworking projects need to take into account the differences between nominal and actual measurements of plywood and other wood boards.

Many retailers now label plywood products with the actual thicknesses, as well as the nominal thicknesses.

Plywood Sheet Dimensions

Big-box home improvement centers generally sell sanded pine or hardwood-faced plywood suitable for woodworking projects in standard 4 x 8-ft. sheets. There also may be 4 x 12-ft. sheets available by special order (these larger sheets will generally be in-stock at major lumberyards). Home improvement centers may also sell "project panel" plywood pieces in 2 x 2-ft., 2 x 4-ft. or 4 x 4-ft. sizes. These project panels are usually sawn to size from large panels by the store to meet local demand.

Specialty woodworking stores often more variety (and also higher prices), selling a variety of hardwood-faced plywood panels in sizes ranging from 12 x 30 to 24 x 48 inches. Baltic birch plywood panels (a type of plywood consisting of birch veneers throughout) are sometimes sold as 5 x 5-ft. panels.

Why Nominal Sizes Differ From Actual Sizes

In framing lumber, the difference between the nominal size (how a board is labeled) vs. its actual size comes about because of the planing and drying process, which shrinks a board from the dimensions it had when it was originally milled. For example, a stud-grade pine board is initially milled to a precise 2 x 4-inch dimension, but the subsequent drying and planing process shrinks the board to about 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in size.

With hardwood boards sold in stores, the difference in nominal vs. actual dimensions is usually about 1/16 inch; it is the result of the planing process used to finish the board faces. Woodworkers need to keep this in mind when using solid hardwoods in their projects.

With plywood products, the difference between nominal and actual thickness comes about because of the sanding process used to finish the face of the panel after the layers have been glued and dried. This sanding typically removes 1/32 inch from the face of the plywood.

23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

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23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

23 32 vs 3 4 plywood
02-25-2012, 11:05 PM
  #1

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3/4 vs 23/32 plywood


Hi -

I have been doing lots of reading on this site and it has been very helpful. I am currently replacing part of my floor down to the joists and have decided that in order to reach the right height for a smooth transition from the area I am tiling, I have room for 3/4" ply, which is (thankfully) more than the 5/8" minimum recommend for DITRA which I will be using.

Today I went out to get the plywood and all that Homer and Lowes had was 23/32" CDX. Based on what I have read here, CDX is not good enough, BC or better being recommend.

So my question is, when Monday comes and I call the lumber shops around Denver, should I be asking for 3/4" BC or 23/32" BC? The 23/32" types seem more common, and since it is only 1/32" less than the 3/4" I would think it is pretty similar, but on he other hand I would think the thickest ply I can fit would be best. Maybe this is just a name versus actual type thing similar to 2x4, 2x6 etc are not really 4" and 6".

Thanks for any advice!

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Bob

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02-25-2012, 11:07 PM
  #2

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Bob,

If I remember, its there, the BC rated plywood.

Ask an associate.

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23 32 vs 3 4 plywood
02-25-2012, 11:13 PM
  #3

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I did ask a guy there - he said the only thing they had better than CDX was the sanded high end stuff for making cabinets. I think it was about $35 bucks a 4x8 sheet. I looked online as well and couldn't find much else listed. I was going ot call around just to see if that was a reasonable price.

Oh, and I should also mention that the cabinet stuff the associate showed me was 23/32 - he said the only 3/4 they had was in CDX.

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Bob

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02-25-2012, 11:26 PM
  #4

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Welcome, Bob.

23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

Been a long, long time since I've seen a sheet of 3/4" plywood of any kind. Be like finding a 2-inch by 4-inch 2x4 today, eh?

The 23/32nds" is today's "nominal" thickness that will be referred to as three-quarter-inch.

And your guy at Homer's does not have any actual 3/4" CD plywood, either. But that's OK on accounta you don't want any.

And you do not want any of his $35 veneered cabinet plywood, either.

What you want is some exterior glue T&G plywood with no face grade lower than C for your first layer of subflooring unless you wanna be adding blocking at all your between-joist seams.

Your Homer's may or may not stock that. He may have some OSB that would be an acceptable substitute if it says Sturd-I-Floor on it.

My opinion; worth price charged.

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02-25-2012, 11:30 PM
  #5

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Perfect - thanks CX!

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Bob

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02-28-2012, 11:44 PM
  #6

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Perimeter filler


Hi all -

I managed to find some T&G ACX, I've read that some say this is overkill, but I'd rather spend too much than not enough on the subfloor.

Another quick question: When cutting out the old floor, my circular saw leaves a small perimeter of wood around the edge, which I have read about blocking up in other threads and I'll do that of course.

My question is simply, what is the best thing to use to match up to the height of the 23/32" new ply? I would assume just some 1/4" ply would be best, but didn't know if there was a better method or material to use for those perimeter strips.

Thanks!

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02-29-2012, 01:26 AM
  #7

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If you're asking about using 1/4" ply as a filler to help bridge the new 3/4" ply with the perimeter wood, that eludes to your existing subfloor only being 1/2" thick. Is that right?

And glad to hear you know you may need to do some framing and/or blocking before you start removing that subfloor.

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02-29-2012, 01:59 AM
  #8

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Yes, that's right - old subfloor is 1/2", 50 yrs old and some of it is water damaged, so I'm just ripping it all out and replacing with 23/32 ACX and then ditra on that. So the 1/4" just needs filler to match height of the new ply. There is about 2-3" off the walls that the plate of my circular saw keeps me from cutting.

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23 32 vs 3 4 plywood
02-29-2012, 03:08 PM
  #9

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Technically, neither the 1/2" or 1/4" ply are recommended under a tile installation in your configuration. BUT, if you can get solid 2x blocking under it all, and screw/glue the blocks to the the 1/2" and screw/nail to the joists, I think you'll be fine. If those areas are going to be subjected to traffic, like at a doorway, then use a sawzall/multi-tool to cut those areas out and replace with 3/4 (23/32, 45/64).

23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

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"the road to hell is paved with osb, mastic, pre-mixed latex 'grout' or 'thinset', "

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02-29-2012, 04:52 PM
  #10

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Bob, the tool that you want to remove the plywood near the edge is either one of those new "multi max" tools ... or a toe kick saw.

The toe kick saws are VERY dangerous. However, you can usually rent one from your local rental shop. Just be very careful with them, because they can get away from you before you can say "oops" and lose a foot or skullcap or arm or something ... it's sort of like working with a chainsaw, just with a higher torque electric motor.

I'd look at the Bosch or (if you're rich) Fein multi-tools. They have an oscillating head and lots of attachments that will let you cut downwards along the walls without having to have any clearance. They're also perfect for cutting under door frames and the like. Either way, I would definitely remove all the old subfloor you can, because you don't want to leave joints that can move and crack the tile around the edges of the room.

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02-29-2012, 05:24 PM
  #11

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I'll have to disagree with our friend Karl here. DO NOT use a toe-kick saw. This ain't a toe kick and you've got better and much safer options.

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02-29-2012, 05:29 PM
  #12

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

When cutting out the old floor, my circular saw leaves a small perimeter of wood around the edge,

Toe-kick saw is gonna be of no value to him in that application, Karl.

23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

And I disagree that they are particularly dangerous. They just require a bit more attention than many other power tools. Properly handled they are quite useful and don't harm the operator, but they are unforgiving of misuse.

My opinion; worth price charged.

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23 32 vs 3 4 plywood

Is 23/32 The same as three quarter inch plywood?

Many retailers now label plywood products with the actual thicknesses, as well as the nominal thicknesses. ... Thicknesses..

What is the difference between 3 4 and 23 32 plywood?

Because the actual thickness may vary measuring the plywood is the only accurate way to determine its thickness. A 3/4” sheet is actually 23/32” thick.

What size plywood is 23 32?

Cabinet Grade Plywood Panel (Common: 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft.; Actual: 0.688 in. x 48 in.

What is the true thickness of 3/4 plywood?

The actual thickness of plywood varies and is usually different than the nominal thickness shown at the lumber yard. 3/4" plywood is actually 21/32" thick.