These grades indicate the quality of the veneer on the plywood’s surface:

Grade A:

High-quality surface with minimal defects.

Smooth and suitable for painting or staining.

Typically used in cabinetry, furniture, and high-end projects.

Grade B:

Good quality surface with some visible defects, such as small knots or patches.

Still suitable for applications where appearance matters, but not as perfect as Grade A.

Often used for furniture backs or less visible surfaces.

Grade C:

Noticeable defects, including knots up to 1.5 inches in diameter and possible splits.

Used for structural purposes where the appearance is not critical, like subfloors.

Grade D:

Lower quality with larger knots, splits, and other imperfections.

Commonly used for rough construction purposes where the plywood will not be visible.

Veneer grades can be combined to describe plywood with different grades on each side::

A/B:

One side is Grade A, the other side is Grade B.

Used when only one side needs to be perfect, like in cabinet doors where only the front will be visible.

A/C:

One side is Grade A, the other side is Grade C.

Used in situations where one side will be visible, and the other will be hidden.

B/C:

One side is Grade B, the other is Grade C.

Often used in situations where the plywood will be painted or covered.

These grades refer to the quality and construction of the plywood’s core layers:

1 (Select):

High-quality core with minimal defects.

Used in furniture and cabinetry where strength and appearance are important.

2 (Utility):

Good quality but with more defects than Select.

Suitable for structural applications where the core won’t be visible.

3 (Common):

Lower quality with more visible defects.

Used for sheathing and subflooring where the surface will be covered.

4 (Industrial):

The lowest grade, with many defects.

Used where the core will not be visible or for temporary structures.

These terms describe the construction of the core layers within the plywood:

V/C (Veneer Core):

Composed of multiple layers of veneer glued together.

Provides good strength and stability, with a relatively lightweight structure.

Commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and general construction.

L/C (Lumber Core):

Core consists of solid lumber strips glued edge-to-edge, with veneer faces.

Offers excellent strength and screw-holding capabilities.

Typically used in high-quality furniture, doors, and panels where strength is crucial.

MCF (Medium-Density Fiberboard Core):

Core made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), a fine-grained, uniform composite material.

Provides a very smooth surface, ideal for painting and veneering.

Often used in cabinetry, doors, and panels where a smooth finish is required.

Heavier than veneer or lumber core plywood.

These designations refer to additional treatments applied to the plywood surface:

G2S (Good Two Sides):

Both sides of the plywood have a high-quality finish, usually indicating both are Grade A or B.

Used in projects where both sides of the plywood will be visible.

UV1S (Ultraviolet One Side):

One side of the plywood is coated with a UV-cured finish, which provides a durable, clear coating that protects the wood.

Used in cabinetry and shelving where only one side needs to be finished.

UV2S (Ultraviolet Two Sides):

Both sides are coated with a UV-cured finish, offering protection and a finished appearance on both sides.

Ideal for furniture, cabinets, and other applications where both sides are visible and need to be finished.

These terms describe how the veneer layers are cut from the log:

PS (Plain Sliced):

Also known as “flat cut.”

Veneer is sliced parallel to the center of the log.

Produces a more uniform and straight grain pattern.

Often used in high-end furniture and cabinetry for a consistent appearance.

RC (Rotary Cut):

The log is rotated against a stationary knife, peeling the veneer in a continuous sheet.

Creates a wide, bold grain pattern that can vary in appearance.

Commonly used in lower-grade plywood where appearance is less critical, like in subflooring and construction-grade panels.

Qtr. Sliced (Quarter Sawn):

The log is cut into quarters, and then the quarters are sliced at an angle.

Produces a straight, tight grain with a more refined look.

Often used for high-end applications like fine furniture and architectural panels.