US Trends

cheap plywood

Cheap plywood is still widely available, but “cheap” now mostly means using lower grades, alternative sheet goods, and smart sourcing (discount yards, marketplaces) rather than finding premium panels at low prices.

What “cheap plywood” really means

  • Big-box stores often sell the least expensive grades (like CDX, sanded pine, OSB), but quality and flatness are hit or miss, especially for small project panels.
  • Prices for even basic 2 ft x 4 ft sheets can feel high today because sheet goods spiked during and after the pandemic and never fully went back to pre-2020 levels.

Best places to find low‑cost sheets

  • Local lumber yards: Often similar prices to big-box stores but better quality per dollar; some carry “shop grade” or “utility grade” sheets that are structurally fine but cosmetically flawed, at a discount.
  • Online home centers: Home Depot and Lowe’s let you compare different thicknesses and grades and sometimes run region‑specific sales or clearance on overstock panels.
  • Classifieds and surplus: Woodworkers report good finds on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and yard/estate sales, including leftover construction plywood and cabinet‑shop offcuts at very low prices.

Cheap alternatives to cabinet‑grade ply

  • OSB and sheathing: Oriented strand board and basic CDX sheathing are usually the lowest‑cost sheet goods and can be used for shop jigs, utility shelving, and substructures where appearance is secondary.
  • Sanded pine/fir plywood: Slightly more expensive than sheathing but still relatively cheap; good for painted projects where you are not chasing furniture‑grade looks.
  • Used/repurposed material: Pallets, old cabinets, and discarded furniture can provide usable solid wood or panels for jigs and rough projects if you’re willing to de‑nail and cut them down.

When not to go too cheap

  • Very low‑grade plywood often has thin face veneer and many voids, which can splinter badly on edges and does not sand well for tabletops or stained surfaces.
  • For visible furniture surfaces, many woodworkers suggest paying for at least a mid‑grade hardwood ply; you spend the same labor time either way, so saving a few dollars on material can cost you in appearance and frustration.

Quick buying tips

  • Buy full sheets when possible; cost per square foot is usually better than small “project panels.”
  • Plan to cut slightly oversize and trim to final size yourself, because pre‑cut services can leave torn edges and splintered veneer, especially on cheaper panels.
  • If weight matters but you still want a higher‑end panel, specialty lightweight plywoods exist, but they are not typically in the “cheap” category and are better for professional or shipping‑sensitive builds.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.