US Plywood and OSB in Non-Construction Applications
US plywood and OSB structural panels provide better value, greater durability and long-term performance in many non-construction applications. These range from upholstered furniture, to shelving, site hoardings, protective cargo linings and packaging.
Technical Guides to Specifying APA Performance Panels
APA ‘s technical guides help you decide which panel grade you need, based on the panel’s end use.
- ‘Performance Panels’ publication is available in English or Spanish. It explains their value, better ability, and long-term performance in a host of industrial applications. See also APA’s dedicated performance panel web resource.
- Download the complete Industrial Panel Selection Guide complete with its four worksheets, to help you decide which grade or type of panel to use. You simply work out the right panel by building up an Industrial Category Index that fits your specific application. And here’s a quick guide.
If you know your application, select it below and use the tables to identify the right panel:
- Packaging/materials handling
- Site hording
- Furniture
- Industrial shelving
- Linings for truck/van cargoes
If you want to ask one of APA’s engineered wood specialists, email or call their Help Desk on 001 253 620 7400. Ask about:
- Appropriate appearance/surface quality
- Strength and stiffness needed to resist any applied loads
- The use of an adhesive to match the end-use environmental conditions
- Ease of workmanship
- Appropriate service life
- The need to be cost effective.
| Non-construction use | Panel type1 | Important design considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Boxes, packing cases (crates) |
Plywood OSB |
Strength & Stiffness Fastener holding Impact resistance Moisture resistance |
| Agricultural containers such as potato boxes | Plywood |
Strength & stiffness Fastener holding Impact performance Moisture resistance Durability Stacking height2 |
|
Pallets – Solid deck pallets – Plywood slave pallets3 |
Plywood OSB |
Strength & stiffness Racking resistance Fastener holding Impact resistance Moisture resistance Durability |
|
Notes 1 Where packaging needs to carry engineering load panels manufactured for structural use are required. 2 The number of boxes which can be stacked on top of one another when fully loaded. This is often an issue for the design of the finished product rather than the individual components from which it is box is manufactured. 3 Optional edge protection may need to be considered |
||
| Perimeter hoarding |
Plywood OSB |
Appearance/surface quality Strength & stiffness (wind loading) Fastener holding Moisture resistance Ability to take a paint finish Potential for re-use |
| Kitchen units | Plywood |
Appearance/surface quality Strength & stiffness Moisture resistance Screw holding |
| Storage units/lockers | Plywood |
Appearance/surface quality Strength & stiffness Moisture resistance Ability to take adhesives Screw holding |
| Kitchen worktops | Plywood |
Surface quality Strength & stiffness Impact resistance Moisture resistance Dimensional stability |
| Upholstered furniture framing |
Plywood OSB |
Strength & stiffness Screw holding Ability to take adhesives Dimensional stability |
| Storage shelving | Plywood
OSB
|
Strength & stiffness Panel thickness Panel deflection to load Support centres Durability Optional edge protection |
|
Notes: 4 Advisable for surfaces that need frequent cleaning |
||
| Dry linings5 |
Plywood Overlaid plywood6 |
Strength Durability Smoothness of face |
| Wet linings |
Plywood (preservative treated) [Recommend APA Series V-6117 exterior panels] |
Strength & stiffness Durability Smoothness/surface quality |
|
Notes: 5 Linings are ordinarily subjected to extremely rough usage so many factors govern material selection 6 Plywood overlaid with metal or fibreglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) 7 All veneer plywood manufactured to Product Standard PS1-19 suitable for preservative treatment |
||
Additional APA publications:
Packaging & industrial shelving: Industrial Use Guide – Material Handling (Form No. M200A)
Pallets: Engineered Wood Pallets – A Solid Value (Form No. T200) and Industrial Use Guide – Plywood pallets in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (Form No. S225)
Furniture: Upholstered Furniture Frames (Form B625)
Truck/van linings for cargo bays: Transport Equipment (Form No. G210).