Products & Trademarks
US Plywood and OSB in Non-Construction Applications
US plywood and OSB are equally effective as sturdy, robust and cost-effective solutions for non-construction applications – from shelving, site hoardings , protective linings in the cargo bay of delivery vehicles to packaging and furniture.
While European standards can be referred to for some end uses, you can determine your own requirements, based on the panel’s end use by referring to the APA guides below.
APA’s Performance Panels demonstrates how they offer increased value, better ability, and long-term performance in a host of industrial applications. Download the free overview on attributes and end uses in English or Spanish.
Need help to decide what grade or type of panel to use for a specific application? APA’s Industrial Panel Selection Guide (Form T200) is another easy to use resource. Or refer to:
- 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 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)
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