How Much Does Plywood Weigh
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How Much Does Plywood Weigh (Quick Answer)

Not all plywood is created equal, and depending on what type of plywood you use, the weight can vary quite a bit.

In this post, I’ll review the different types of plywood and their weights so you can get a good idea of how much you should be prepared to carry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
  • The weight of plywood will depend on the size, thickness, and type of plywood.
  • In most cases, a standard sheet of plywood will weigh anywhere from 30 pounds to over 100 pounds.

How Much Does Plywood Weigh

Heavy Duty Plywood

Most plywood types come in a standard 4′ x 8′ sheet, but there isn’t a standard weight of plywood.

How Much Does a Sheet of Plywood Weigh

Plywood weight has a HUGE variability, which can range anywhere from about 20 lbs up to nearly 200 lbs. As you can imagine, the thicker the plywood, the heavier it will be.

There are several different variables that affect the overall weight of plywood.

For the following four plywood types, I will be using a plywood weight calculator to calculate the weight of each type, and for simplicity’s sake, I used the same dimensions for each type for easy comparison. The dimensions I used are 4′ x 8′ x 1″.

Wondering how much a sheet of plywood costs? Check out my guide to learn all of the details!

How Much Does Pressure Treated Plywood Weigh

Pressure-treated plywood is usually made from yellow pine, a reasonably heavy wood all on its own. The pressure-treated plywood is excellent for outdoor projects since the treatment will help the plywood fight against bugs, fungus, and decay.

A typical 4′ x 8′ x 1″ sheet will weigh about 155 lbs with the added weight from the pressure-treatment process. Though, once the sheet dries from the pressure treatment, it will weigh slightly less than that.

How Much Does Softwood Plywood Weigh

When you hear the name “softwood plywood,” you might assume this type of plywood is not super strong. However, construction companies often use softwood plywood for structural integrity – which speaks to its strength.

Softwood plywood can be used for interior and exterior projects and is made from several different wood species, such as cedar, knotty pine, spruce, fir, and redwood.

A 4′ x 8′ x 1″ sheet of softwood plywood weighs around 81 lbs.

How Much Does Hardwood Plywood Weigh

Hardwood plywood has a core of either hardwood or softwood and a veneer made from hardwood. It is used extensively for furniture and cabinet making. Surprisingly, it is more structurally sound than solid wood, plus it comes in many different wood species and thicknesses.

A hardwood plywood sheet measuring 4′ x 8′ x 1″ will weigh approximately 92 lbs.

Here are a few different types of hardwood plywood that are available.

  • Cedar
  • Bamboo
  • Ash
  • Birch
  • Cherry
  • Fir
  • Mahogany
  • Maple
  • Oak
  • Knotty Pine
  • Teak
  • Walnut
  • Palmwood
  • Zebrawood

How Much Does Marine Grade Plywood Weigh

As you may gather from the name, marine-grade plywood is perfect for making boats and ships. The wood is constructed to withstand any stress a boat may face while in the water including the humidity and wet conditions.

It is also constructed from higher-grade materials than other plywood and is usually made from Douglas fir or pine.

Marine plywood measuring 4′ x 8′ x 1″ will weigh around 98 lbs.

How Much Do the Different Thicknesses of Plywood Weigh?

Now that you know a bit about each type of plywood let’s check out how much each type weighs in different thicknesses. You’ll notice a significant weight difference between the thicknesses. All of these weights will be for a standard 4′ x 8′ sheet of plywood, and I rounded to the nearest pound.

How Much Does a Sheet of 3/4″ Plywood Weigh

  • Pressure-treated plywood: 116 lbs
  • Softwood plywood: 61 lbs
  • Hardwood plywood: 69 lbs
  • Marine plywood: 74 lbs

How Much Does a Sheet of 1/2″ Plywood Weigh

  • Pressure-treated plywood: 77 lbs
  • Softwood plywood: 40 lbs
  • Hardwood plywood: 46 lbs
  • Marine plywood: 49 lbs

How Much Does a Sheet of 1/4″ Plywood Weigh

  • Pressure-treated plywood: 39 lbs
  • Softwood plywood: 20 lbs
  • Hardwood plywood: 23 lbs
  • Marine plywood: 25 lbs

How Much Does a Sheet of 1/8″ Plywood Weigh

  • Pressure-treated plywood: 19 lbs
  • Softwood plywood: 10 lbs
  • Hardwood plywood: 12 lbs
  • Marine plywood: 12 lbs

What Determines the Weight of Plywood

1. Length and Width of the Plywood Sheet

As mentioned earlier, the most common size for a sheet of plywood is 4′ x 8′, but you can also purchase 5′ x 5′ sheets. A 4′ x 8′ sheet will be heavier than a 5′ x 5′ sheet since the weight is determined by square foot.

  • 4′ x 8′ sheet: 32 square feet
  • 5′ x 5′ sheet: 25 square feet

Width is another key factor when determining the weight of plywood. The wider the sheet, the heavier it will be.

To find the square foot measurement of any piece of plywood, all you need to do is multiply the length times the width. This will be important if you need to determine the weight of one square foot of plywood.

2. The Thickness of the Plywood Sheet

It’s important to note that when you purchase a sheet of plywood, it may not be the same thickness as it is labeled. The actual thickness can vary as much as 1/32″, which may not seem like a lot, but if you use a significant amount of plywood for a project, that can add up quickly.

It’s always good to look over a plywood sheet before making your purchase as it could have blemishes or warping that you don’t want.

The thickness of a plywood sheet can drastically change the overall weight. A softwood sheet of plywood with the same dimensions as a pressure-treated plywood sheet is entirely different.

3. Wood Species

The type of wood material used to create the plywood plays a prominent role in how much weight the plywood will be. Lighter-weight wood, such as balsa or bamboo, weigh less than hardwood, such as mahogany or oak plywood.

There are some instances when you want lightweight plywood for building purposes. For example, if you are renovating a van or a bus into a tiny home, you want to use lightweight materials to keep the weight of the vehicle lower.

On the other hand, if you are building a house or a shed, you want to use heavy plywood that can withstand the elements.

4. Glues, Adhesives, and Other Treatments

Different glues and adhesives can add weight to plywood, though it’s not a dramatic addition to the weight. However, pressure-treated wood is significantly heavier than other types of plywood.

The layers of plywood are glued together and then put under extreme pressure to press chemicals into the wood that will help the plywood last. This process will allow the plywood to keep out bugs, mold, and moisture, making pressure-treated plywood a great choice for exterior projects.

FAQs

Is Plywood Better Than Real Wood?

Whether or not plywood is better than solid wood will depend on what you are trying to make. Both material types have pros and cons, and I think it’s important to know these pros and cons before jumping into a project.

Wondering what other wood you can use for projects? Check out these amazing plywood alternatives!

Plywood Pros and Cons

  • Pro: It is more affordable and available at most home improvement stores.
  • Pro: It is easier to bend and manipulate for curved edges.
  • Pro: It comes in a wide variety of thicknesses, materials, and sizes
  • Con: Plywood doesn’t look as beautiful as natural wood.
  • Con: It isn’t as durable as wood.
  • Con: It will bow if there is too much weight on it.

Solid Wood Pros and Cons

  • Pro: Solid wood is gorgeous!
  • Pro: It is durable and is less likely to bow.
  • Pro: Wood is used for all types of finishings, such as wall wood paneling, flooring, and furniture.
  • Con: Wood is not easy to bend.
  • Con: Depending on the wood species, it can be quite expensive and difficult to find.
  • Con: In many cases, solid wood is heavier than plywood per square foot.

What Type of Plywood is the Strongest?

The most robust plywood per square foot is marine plywood. The reason for this is when marine plywood is made; it is made with all Grade A materials.

This means there are no knots or blemishes in the material. This is important for marine plywood since it is used to create boats and ships that need to float on water. If the plywood had some imperfection, such as a knot or crack, water could seep in and create a pocket of mold or decay. You can also check out these methods to waterproof plywood if you don’t want to pay extra.

How Long Does Plywood Last?

It’s difficult to say exactly how long plywood will last because of the different variations. It will depend heavily on where the plywood is (interior or exterior) and what it is being used for.

For example, if you use plywood to make a toy box for a child, that box can last forever. But if you leave that box out in the elements, it will quickly fall apart and become dilapidated. Make sure that if you plan on using plywood outdoors, you purchase exterior plywood since it has been treated specifically to last through rain and other elements.

Final Thoughts

Plywood is an excellent building material that can be used for various woodworking projects. Not only is it cost-effective, but it also is sturdy and easy to work with.

The weight of plywood will vary depending on several factors including the type of plywood, it’s size, and its thickness.

For standard plywood sheets, it’s common to have a weight of around 20 to 100 pounds.

Miriam Ronne - Author

Miriam Ronne wears many hats, including but not limited to freelance writer, blogger, professional quilter, serial DIYer, and obsessed dog mom. She loves to teach beginners how to do all sorts of crafts and techniques. If she’s not writing her next blog post, she’s either sewing a new project or playing with her pup. You can find Miriam on her blog, Stitch Obsessed, or connect with her on Instagram.