Educate me

[diovol]

So I will admit I’m not a wood specialist. I know nothing when it comes to their characteristics. Im in the middle of finishing 2 walls in my shop and I plan on using sanded ply. It will be 1/2” but where the confusion comes into place for me is the following, the species. I basically have two choices, sanded birch plywood or sanded premium pine acx plywood. One being about $18/sheet cheaper than the next. The garage is heated in the winter but not air conditioned in the summer. I live in Ontario, Canada and we have some very hot humid summer days. The intention is to be able to hang lighter items anywhere. With this info would one species of wood be better suited then the other? $18/sheet is a significant cost savings but I would happily spend it if it means the end result will be much better.
Appreciate any advice.

 

[RPH]

I would go with the acx. It’s cheaper and the “a” side is clear of knots plus exterior glue is used.

 

[mike93lx]

The birch is likely a birch veneer over poplar core. It will be prettier, but not stronger or more durable..
I'd agree with @RPH and go for a sanded pine plywood

 

[PCustoms]

What grade is the birch?

Which one is cheaper?

 

[captaindiode]

I agree, go with the AC pine. The birch is mainly used for cabinets. You can dress up the seams with some screen molding if you like. I have also used plybead, which is AC plywood with a beadboard look and hides the seams.

 

[diovol]

What grade is the birch?

Which one is cheaper?

Not sure on the grade but the birch is cheaper.

 

[diovol]

The only other decision I have to make is sanded vs unsanded. That’s a price difference of about $30/sheet….. ouch

 

[PCustoms]

Not sure on the grade but the birch is cheaper.

The only other decision I have to make is sanded vs unsanded. That’s a price difference of about $30/sheet….. ouch

Well now I'm a bit confused....

Typically I'd go sanded brush over sanded pine.

 

[LWB]

I would go with the unsanded option unless you plan to put polyurethane on it.

Sanded it for finish work.

 

[mike93lx]

Sheet goods have gone absolutely crazy pants. Tough time to buy

For $30 a sheet, I would break out my RO sander, but probably regret it after all the handling

 

[johnre]

Chances are that if sanded, it's also finished. That might make the 4 x 8 sheet price a little easier to take, as you won't then have to finish it.

The plywood core will be whatever is the least expensive softwood species where the plywood was fabricated, and any hardwood exterior is just a thin veneer. If birch, it's often Baltic birch, which is pretty durable. Wood database is here.

 

[PCustoms]

Sheet goods have gone absolutely crazy pants. Tough time to buy

Yard near me has the plybead material (~3/8" beadboard plywood) for $48/ea. Best I can tell the same is $28/ea at the orange store, but maybe the ply count is different? Idk, the head spacing is too tight for me...

For $30 a sheet, I would break out my RO sander, but probably regret it after all the handling

I ended up with 14 sheets of sanded pine BCX. Last I bought some a quick sand and some paint made it look good, primer and gloss white enamel and it could be used inside cabinets.

The first bunk was all splitting on the B side, some of the putty wasn't even cured and there was sander snipe cutting through the veneer.

The second bunk (clearly a different lot) looked better so we loaded up. Sanded a sheet last night and it's different then before, more open grain. When I of loaded the rest I noticed a few defects I missed in store.

Not expecting cabinet grade, but quality has gone downhill and cost has either plateaued or increased.

 

[PCustoms]

@diovol is the birch underlayment?

 

[Ultradog MN]

I know you said plywood...
I used 5/8" fire rated drywall.
$15 a sheet. Your insurance agent will like it better. Easy to repair dings and gouges. Not expensive to have someone tape it for you. (I can do my own)
For heavy hanging stuff you still need to screw it to the studs even with 1/2" plywood.. For light stuff use screw anchors. You won't have amaturish looking seam covers. Drywall will take more humidity than plywood. I could go on and on...

 

[txvwnut]

If the place you are shopping is the big orange box store look that Birch over really good. I've seen them have sheets where the laminations are separating rendering the sheet pretty much useless.

 

[Jgaz]

Hard to see in this picture but I covered the lower section of the side wall in my garage with 3/4” plywood screwed over the drywall. It is a good grade with a sanded face.
I was able to purchase it cheap because one of the corners of the whole stack was damaged.

I have moved or added hangers, dust collection pipes, added an air line, etc. a number of times since the plywood was installed.
If I feel like it, when I get a number of unused holes in the plywood I pound in a dowel, cut it flush, and touch it up with paint.

 

[nmk_61802]

I didn't see your plans for finishing? Paint, Stain, Clear, or nothing? If you want it to look nice and are planning on stain, pine doesn't usually stain well.

 

[diovol]

Plan on painting it white. My main goal is for it to be strong and nice looking. The sanded ACX premium pine is $68/sheet, The sanded birch is $49/sheet and yes it’s that big orange box store.

 

[PCustoms]

Plan on painting white. The sanded ACX premium pine is $68/sheet, The sanded birch is $49/sheet and yes it’s that big orange box store.

Links to these?

I can't get ACX at the borg around here.

Birch would be my go to as long as it's not something weird.

 

[nmk_61802]

Plan on painting it white. My main goal is for it to be strong and nice looking. The sanded ACX premium pine is $68/sheet, The sanded birch is $49/sheet and yes it’s that big orange box store.

Part of the premium cost for the ACX is the X grade exterior glue. Which you shouldn't need since you are using for interior wall coverings.

 

[PCustoms]

This started as a sheet of BCX sanded. I hit it with 120 on a DA and rolled of coat of oil based primer.

If it ever dries I'll put it up...

 

[diovol]

Links to these?

I can't get ACX at the borg around here.

Birch would be my go to as long as it's not something weird.

I’m north of the border, Ontario Canada.

 

[diovol]

What’s my alternative besides the ACX? Just AC grade?

 

[diovol]

What’s my alternative besides the ACX? Just AC grade?

I was able to find bcx from a supplier close to me but you have to call for availability and price

 

[diovol]

I think I’m going a different route. I have a friend who can get 1x8 tongue and groove finished white pine. Varying lengths and cheaper then the plywood