Is there a difference between span ratings for OSB and plywood?
Answer
No, span ratings for similar thicknesses are the same.
What is the flame spread classification for plywood?
What is the difference between Exterior and Exposure 1 panels?
Answer
Exterior panels are suitable for applications subject to long-term exposure to weather or moisture, while panels classified as Exposure 1 are intended to resist the effects of moisture on structural performance as may occur due to construction delays, or other conditions of similar severity. Exposure 1 panels are made with the same exterior adhesives used in Exterior panels. However, because other compositional factors may affect bond performance, only Exterior panels should be used for long-term exposure to weather.
Can you paint plywood?
Answer
Yes, plywood can be painted using one coat of acrylic latex primer and at least two coats of acrylic latex paint. Oil-based paints are not recommended.
Can plywood be used for outdoor projects?
Answer
Plywood panels classified as “Exterior” are suitable for applications subject to long-term exposure to weather or moisture.
What does the stamp on my plywood panel mean?
Answer
On every Georgia-Pacific sheathing panel you should be able to find an APA grade stamp. This stamp is your assurance that the product is manufactured in accordance with the APA’s rigorous program of quality inspection and testing. The grade stamp on a panel also tells you a lot about the panel – the span rating, exposure rating, panel thickness and the building code approval the panel meets.
What does the "span rating" of a plywood panel mean?
Answer
Within the grade stamp on a panel you will find the span rating. When there are two numbers separated by a slash (i.e. 48/24), the first number is the maximum recommended center-to-center spacing for supports in inches when the panel is used for roof sheathing with the long dimension across supports. The second number is the maximum center-to-center spacing of supports in inches when the panel is used for sub-flooring with the long dimension across supports.
How many sheets are in a unit of plywood?
Answer
The number of panels in a unit of plywood varies depending on the type and thickness of product. On sheathing products, the piece count is typically stenciled on the side of the unit. Other products have corrugated side protectors that should indicate piece count. If you need a piece count and neither of those are visible please contact GP at 800-284-5347.
Does GP's wood come from sustainably managed forests?
Answer
Plywood panels from Georgia-Pacific are made from wood sourced through a system that is third-party certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® procurement standard.
Do your panels meet formaldehyde emissions standards?
Answer
Yes, Georgia-Pacific plywood and OSB panels only use moisture resistant adhesives that contain no added urea formaldehyde resins, and are therefore exempt from U.S. EPA and California formaldehyde regulations due to their very low emission rates.
When used in the manufacture of crates and pallets, are Georgia-Pacific plywood and OSB safe for international shipping?
Answer
To prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests, ISPM 15: International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, requires that internationally shipped solid wood pallets be debarked, treated with heat or fumigated with methyl bromide, and marked with a seal of compliance. Pallets made with engineered wood are exempt from ISPM 15 regulations. This is because the process of manufacturing engineered wood destroys any live organisms in the wood. (Source: “Boxes, Crate and Reel Manufacturing,” www.PerformancePanels.com)
How many veneers/plies make up your plywood products?
Answer
The number of veneers/plies in our plywood products depends on thickness of the product. Here are the standard number of veneers/plies for some of our common thicknesses:
¼ – 3-ply
3/8 – 3-ply
11/32 – 3-ply
15/32 – 3-ply OR 4-ply
19/32 – 4-ply OR 5-ply
23/32 – 5-ply
7/8 – 6-ply
