What Kind of Plywood Is Needed for a Headboard?

About Plywood

• Plywood was the first type of engineered wood and is versatile enough to be used for everyday do-it-yourself projects to fine furniture. It is stronger than most types of engineered wood as it is made up of various sheets of wood veneer. The layers of veneer are placed so that their grain is at 90-degree angles. This makes the wood strong. Plywood also comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and thicknesses.

Plywood Grade

• The Engineered Wood Association set standards by which all plywood resellers need to advertise on their plywood products. These indicate the quality of the wood to the buyer. All plywood will have one grade indication for each side of the wood. If you are going to expose the wood, choose a high grade A for at least one side of the plywood. If you are covering the wood, purchase an A-, B- or C-grade wood. D grade may have defects in it that weakens the headboard and it is not sanded. Sanding may not be necessary if you are upholstering your headboard, but it makes the process easier.

Plywood Thickness

• Plywood thickness determines how strong and heavy the piece of wood is. Because headboards are attached directly to the wall, you don't need to worry about durability. Weight, however, can be a concern. If you anticipate needing to move the headboard several times, choose a thinner and lighter piece of wood. Recommended headboard thicknesses range from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch.

Hardwood Plywood

• If you aren't going to cover the headboard with paint, upholstery fabric, wallpaper or decoupage, use hardwood plywood. Hardwood plywood has a manufactured wood core, but is covered on one or both sides with a layer of hardwood veneer. Common varieties include birch and oak. You can use wood stain to enhance the look of the wood but the sides of the plywood will reveal the core. Thus, always cover the edges of the plywood with paint or a strip of matching iron-on wood veneer.

Treated Plywood

• Some plywood is treated with chemicals that protect it from weather and pests. Because the headboard is intended for in home use, don't purchase treated plywood. Because of the chemical treatment, it is not intended for indoor use. It also tends to be more expensive than untreated plywood.