Author Topic: Plywood Prices... argh! (Read 21981 times)

Greg Powers · « **Reply #30 on:** April 27, 2022, 08:02 PM »

My local hardwood/plywood dealer is paying a 50% tariff on Russian Baltic Birch Plywood. 1/8" 5' x 5' is running $65 a sheet. Plus he said his supplies are drying up soon.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #31 on:** April 28, 2022, 07:07 AM »

Quote from: xedos on April 26, 2022, 09:41 AM

I've asked this before , but seems like another good time to bring up -

Any of you going to consider wood alternatives like wheat & straw board now that the prices are competitive with reg. ply ?

https://www.caragreen.com/brands/wheat-board/

In our area this decision comes down to lack of availability. Back in 2010 when we we building our home we went full in on sustainable design, even to the point of taking courses and traveling to conferences to learn about best practices, and pouring over building science books.

Then we hit the hard wall of reality that materials were just not available locally and none of the contractors wanted to do anything new/risky. Even advanced framing was considered witchcraft.

We managed to incorporate a few "green" features but overall it was sobering. I still need to drive 1-2 hours to obtain prefinished ply, let alone anything exotic. YMMV

RMW

Peter Kelly · « **Reply #32 on:** April 30, 2022, 10:08 PM »

Quote from: xedos on April 26, 2022, 09:41 AM

I've asked this before , but seems like another good time to bring up -

Any of you going to consider wood alternatives like wheat & straw board now that the prices are competitive with reg. ply ?

https://www.caragreen.com/brands/wheat-board/

I actually made a few kitchens out of melamine-clad wheat straw PrimeBoard years ago, liked the product a lot and was disappointed to see it disappear from the market. Great if it's made a comeback, would recommend.

dwillis · « **Reply #33 on:** June 04, 2022, 06:43 PM »

I stopped by my favorite plywood supplier (Mr. Plywood) in Portland, Oregon recently to check on prices and availability for 5' x 5' x 3/4" Baltic birch plywood. Prices had gone from $110 per sheet to $120 and their supply (at least what was out on the floor that day) was definitely less than when I last posted.

tjbnwi · « **Reply #34 on:** June 04, 2022, 06:57 PM »

So far no one has cancelled any jobs.

2 sheets of 5x10 matched Walunt to skin a door--$2000.00 by the time they get to me.

Got an email that white oak was getting tight, I have 2 jobs coming up that need a lot of it. Had almost 30K worth of plywood and solids delivered last week for the jobs. One supplier said that was it they're out of white oak.

Good thing is I don't have to pay for any of this, my customers do---eventually....

While were at it, if there is anyone in the Colorado Springs area who would like to learn cabinet fabrication and other things, I'm looking for the right person.

Tom

Coen · « **Reply #35 on:** June 08, 2022, 09:24 AM »

Quote from: xedos on April 26, 2022, 09:41 AM

I've asked this before , but seems like another good time to bring up -

Any of you going to consider wood alternatives like wheat & straw board now that the prices are competitive with reg. ply ?

https://www.caragreen.com/brands/wheat-board/

Insulated a roof and used metal studs instead of timber frame to hang the drywall
With inflated wood prices it was about the same expense, but cutting it is dust-free and low-noise. And no crooked studs either.

Vanhalo · « **Reply #36 on:** June 08, 2022, 11:00 AM »

Quote from: Greg Powers on April 27, 2022, 08:02 PM

My local hardwood/plywood dealer is paying a 50% tariff on Russian Baltic Birch Plywood. 1/8" 5' x 5' is running $65 a sheet. Plus he said his supplies are drying up soon.

The last time I bought BB it was $60 for a 5 x 5 sheet of 5/8 (15mm).

It is now $147/sheet.

Packard · « **Reply #37 on:** September 22, 2022, 04:03 PM »

I was in Lowe’s yesterday and they had big-box-quality 3/4”, 4’ x 8’ red oak hardwood plywood for $96.00.

Does that price sound about right? With tax, over $100.00 per sheet for plywood?

Packard · « **Reply #38 on:** September 22, 2022, 04:07 PM »

I started another thread when I should have simply added it to this one. I will contact a moderator to remove it.

Here is the post:

I was in Lowe’s yesterday and they had big-box-quality 3/4”, 4’ x 8’ red oak hardwood plywood for $96.00.

Does that price sound about right? With tax, over $100.00 per sheet for plywood?

Zubo · « **Reply #39 on:** September 22, 2022, 04:14 PM »

In Italy I bought
7 sheets of plywood 3 layer pine 19mm
One sheet is high 205cm lenght 505cm.
They make me 24€by square meter more taxes.

In February I buy same product 6 sheets 32€ meter.

I don't believe price go down...i think grow up instead

tjbnwi · « **Reply #40 on:** September 22, 2022, 04:19 PM »

Quote from: Packard on September 22, 2022, 04:07 PM

I started another thread when I should have simply added it to this one. I will contact a moderator to remove it.

Here is the post:

I was in Lowe’s yesterday and they had big-box-quality 3/4”, 4’ x 8’ red oak hardwood plywood for $96.00.

Does that price sound about right? With tax, over $100.00 per sheet for plywood?

As long as it is a quality sheet and the price works for you go for it.

We don't use red oak, but the rift sawn white oak sheeks I go this week were 144 a sheet when buying a bunk (38 sheets), 1/4 walnut MDF core was 162 a sheet, I needed 18.

Tom

woodbutcherbower · « **Reply #41 on:** September 22, 2022, 05:11 PM »

UK today.

8' x 4' x 18mm (3/4") birch-faced boards. $134 a sheet.

Richard/RMW · « **Reply #42 on:** September 22, 2022, 07:26 PM »

Quote from: woodbutcherbower on September 22, 2022, 05:11 PM

UK today.

8' x 4' x 18mm (3/4") birch-faced boards. $134 a sheet.

Makes New Jersey appear cheap @ $84. I'll stop griping about $58 MDF also.

RMW

Peter Kelly · « **Reply #43 on:** September 23, 2022, 09:55 AM »

Colombia has plain poplar-core sheets without the decorative top veneers in most of the common thicknesses. A 4'x8' of 3/4" usually goes for around $75 in Northeastern US.

SDWW2019 · « **Reply #44 on:** September 23, 2022, 10:18 AM »

Starting to see small declines here in San Diego (not including contractor discounts). A few pics of prices from a few days ago...biggest drops have been with BB. Same 4x8' 18mm sheets were priced ~$210 a few months ago.

fritter63 · « **Reply #45 on:** September 24, 2022, 04:48 PM »

Not sure BB will come down to reasonable anytime soon, it's not the normal inflationary pressures on that stuff.... apparently it ONLY comes from the Baltic (thought maybe we had started producing it here!).

getting ready to build a bunch of wall cabinets for the shop/barn, and have decided to just use 3/4" OSB. It seems to be stable enough, cheap, and it is actually a cool look too. Plus, easy to attach other things to the outsides and doors.

krudawg · « **Reply #46 on:** October 31, 2022, 08:33 PM »

Quote from: Ross Davis on March 24, 2022, 08:11 AM

Just curious...

So what are you paying for plywood these days?

My local Menards prices are up about 50% or so.

Has anyone been forced to cancel or delay jobs do to the hefty prices?

Any thoughts if prices will drop within the next year?

$96 for a sheet of 3/4" Maple Ply at Lowes. I can't even look at Baltic Birch these days

ChuckS · « **Reply #47 on:** October 31, 2022, 09:04 PM »

Hardwoods are expensive too.

Had some Airmiles converted e-vocuhers, and picked these up from a building center today for $100 Cdn:

4/4 maple x 9 ft;
1"x4"x9ft red oak s4s/fas;
1"x6"x 5ft red oak s4s/fas and
2 bottles of Titebond III (4 oz).

The 4/4 maple (rough lumber) was sold for $20 because it wasn't "in the system."

If I had to pay out of my own pocket, I wouldn't have shopped there. Or should I say I wouldn't be buying the s4s stuff. I usually get my rough lumber (walnut, cherry and maple) at a place that has more competitive prices.

tjbnwi · « **Reply #48 on:** October 31, 2022, 09:26 PM »

Peter Kelly · « **Reply #49 on:** October 31, 2022, 10:00 PM »

What is MXB? MDF crossbands over veneer core? Assuming this is pre-finished stuff?

tjbnwi · « **Reply #50 on:** November 01, 2022, 12:38 AM »

Quote from: Peter Kelly on October 31, 2022, 10:00 PM

What is MXB? MDF crossbands over veneer core? Assuming this is pre-finished stuff?

MXB is a high surface finish panel. The plywood core is sheeted on both sides with MDF. The MDF is surfaced then the face sheet is applied. In this case the face sheets are B on one side and #1 on the other side.

Yes, finished 2 sides with UV cured finish.

Tom

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #51 on:** November 01, 2022, 12:39 AM »

@tjbnwi donkey?

Michael Kellough · « **Reply #52 on:** November 01, 2022, 12:40 AM »

Quote from: tjbnwi on November 01, 2022, 12:38 AM

Quote from: Peter Kelly on October 31, 2022, 10:00 PM
What is MXB? MDF crossbands over veneer core? Assuming this is pre-finished stuff?

MXB is a high surface finish panel. The plywood core is sheeted on both sides with MDF. The MDF is surfaced then the face sheet is applied. In this case the face sheets are B on one side and #1 on the other side.

Yes, finished 2 sides with UV cured finish.

Tom

Is there anything better than that? Sounds like the bee’s knees.

tjbnwi · « **Reply #53 on:** November 01, 2022, 09:02 AM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on November 01, 2022, 12:39 AM

@tjbnwi donkey?

I'm assuming you and just about everyone else has seen the fork lift on the back of a truck. Here they are called donkeys. Not sure what they're called in other areas but back home they were called a Tag-A-Long or Moffet (this is a brand name).

Tom

Peter Kelly · « **Reply #54 on:** November 01, 2022, 12:21 PM »

Quote from: Michael Kellough on November 01, 2022, 12:40 AM

Quote from: tjbnwi on November 01, 2022, 12:38 AM
Quote from: Peter Kelly on October 31, 2022, 10:00 PM
What is MXB? MDF crossbands over veneer core? Assuming this is pre-finished stuff?

MXB is a high surface finish panel. The plywood core is sheeted on both sides with MDF. The MDF is surfaced then the face sheet is applied. In this case the face sheets are B on one side and #1 on the other side.

Yes, finished 2 sides with UV cured finish.

Tom

Is there anything better than that? Sounds like the bee’s knees.

Laying up your own panels with A-1 plain sliced veneers. This way, you can control book matching across a set of doors or wall panels. You can also get something a bit more substantial than the usual tissue paper thin top sheets the mills like to apply these days.

I've bought pre-finished sheets in the past and wasn't always that thrilled with the look, suppose it can be hit or miss. Does save a ton of time though.

woodbutcherbower · « **Reply #55 on:** November 01, 2022, 01:04 PM »

Quote from: tjbnwi on November 01, 2022, 09:02 AM

Quote from: Michael Kellough on November 01, 2022, 12:39 AM
@tjbnwi donkey?

I'm assuming you and just about everyone else has seen the fork lift on the back of a truck. Here they are called donkeys. Not sure what they're called in other areas but back home they were called a Tag-A-Long or Moffet (this is a brand name).

Tom

They’re called ‘Mounties’ in the UK - named after the Moffet Mounty which was the original truck or trailer-hung forklift.

Crazyraceguy · « **Reply #56 on:** November 06, 2022, 07:59 AM »

Quote from: tjbnwi on November 01, 2022, 12:38 AM

Quote from: Peter Kelly on October 31, 2022, 10:00 PM
What is MXB? MDF crossbands over veneer core? Assuming this is pre-finished stuff?

MXB is a high surface finish panel. The plywood core is sheeted on both sides with MDF. The MDF is surfaced then the face sheet is applied. In this case the face sheets are B on one side and #1 on the other side.

Yes, finished 2 sides with UV cured finish.

Tom

That sounds like MDO (Medium Density Overlay) then veneered and finished.
That stuff is fantastic to work with. It has the plywood's advantages of screw-holding ability and lighter weight, along with the smoother/flatter advantage of MDF.

krudawg · « **Reply #57 on:** November 19, 2022, 06:47 PM »

Baltic Birch right now is too rich for my blood. I bought a 4X8 sheet of Maple Plywood at Lowes for $96 - outrageous! Last time, a year or so ago, it was $55. A drug habit is now cheaper than Woodworking. Are we going to get some relief soon?

Coen · « **Reply #58 on:** November 20, 2022, 12:35 PM »

Quote from: krudawg on November 19, 2022, 06:47 PM

Baltic Birch right now is too rich for my blood. I bought a 4X8 sheet of Maple Plywood at Lowes for $96 - outrageous! Last time, a year or so ago, it was $55. A drug habit is now cheaper than Woodworking. Are we going to get some relief soon?

Sure! Your government will loan/print some money to subsidize plywood

Peter Kelly · « **Reply #59 on:** November 20, 2022, 02:21 PM »

Quote from: krudawg on November 19, 2022, 06:47 PM

Baltic Birch right now is too rich for my blood. I bought a 4X8 sheet of Maple Plywood at Lowes for $96 - outrageous! Last time, a year or so ago, it was $55. A drug habit is now cheaper than Woodworking. Are we going to get some relief soon?

3/4 in maple is currently $75 - $80 / sheet here in Northeastern US. Just varies a lot by market.