Specification

Page 1 of 2 V1.0 – 01/2008
Sanded Plywood
Sanded plywood is used in a wide variety of applications. Interior uses include cabinetry, furniture
manufacturing, paneling and shelving. Exterior uses include specialty construction and industrial
applications such as fences, soffits, truck and boxcar linings, commercial refrigerators and other
applications where exposure to high-moisture is anticipated and smoothness and/or appearance are
important.
Sanded plywood certified by TECO is manufactured in conformance with the requirements of the U.S.
Department of Commerce Voluntary Product Standard PS 1, Structural Plywood. PS 1 establishes
minimum requirements for the principle types and grades of construction and industrial plywood
including wood species, veneer grading, glue bond, panel construction and workmanship, dimensions
and tolerances, marking, moisture content, quality control and certification.
Sanded plywood manufactured for use in exterior applications must meet the requirements for an “Exterior”
bond classification and be manufactured with minimum “C” grade veneers. Sanded plywood typically used in
interior applications meets the requirements for “Exposure 1” bond classification and can include “D” grade
veneer as back and/or inner plies. Bond classification is related to the moisture resistance of the glue bond
under intended end-use conditions and does not relate to the physical (erosion, ultraviolet, etc) or biological
(mold, fungal decay, insect, etc) resistance of the panel. Sanded plywood with an Exterior bond classification
is suitable for repeated wetting and redrying or long-term exposure to weather or other conditions of similar
severity. Sanded plywood with an Exposure 1 bond classification is suitable for uses not permanently
exposed to the weather and is intended to resist the effects of moisture on structural performance as may
occur due to construction delays or other conditions of similar severity.
Sanded plywood manufactured in conformance to PS 1 is identified with a species Group No. that is
used to classify species covered by PS 1. Group numbers include 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Strength and
stiffness properties of species in Group 1 are typically highest, while the strength and stiffness
properties of species in Group 5 are the lowest. The Group number on a panel generally identifies the
largest numbered species group (i.e. Group 4 is larger than Group 1) of the face or back veneers, but
may also be based on performance testing.
Sanded plywood is available in several grades, which are based on the grade of the veneers and the panel
construction. Veneer is classified into six (6) distinct grades including N, A, B, C, C Plugged and D. The
grades differ from each other by the number, type and size of growth and open characteristics and repairs
allowed. For example, Grade N veneer, the highest quality veneer available, is intended for a natural finish
and must be free from knots (i.e. growth characteristics), knotholes, pitch pockets, open splits and other open
characteristics and stain. Grade D veneer is the lowest quality veneer classified in PS 1 and permits
knots and knotholes up to 3 inches measured across the grain, as well as any number of plugs,
patches, worm or borer holes and sanding characteristics. Panels are also available with resin-
impregnated fiber overlays that provide a smooth surface that may offer high resistance to chemicals
and abrasion.