Plywood Technical Notes

Engineered Wood Construction Guide
This 72-page APA Design/Construction guide provides product information and specification recommendations for several of the most common engineered wood products: plywood, OSB, composite panels, glulam and I-joists. It also contains illustrations and tips for floor, wall and roof construction in both residential and commercial/industrial buildings. Click here to download a PDF version of this guide (2.4 MB)

APA Technical Documents
The following APA EWS technical literature can be downloaded via PDF by clicking on one of the links below.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Technical Notes
Cut Callbacks With Proper Spacing and Nailing
This two-page document outlines the basics for nailing and spacing of APA rated sheathing. (56 KB)

Proper Installation of APA Rated Sheathing For Roof Applications
This two-page document outlines the proper methods for installing roof sheathing. (426 KB)

Proper Selection and Installation of APA Plywood Underlayment
This two-page document outlines the basics for properly installing floor sheathing. (413 KB)

Worker Safety on Pitched Roofs
This two-page document contains tips for improving worker safety on the jobsite. (403 KB)

Minimize Nail Pops
This two-page document gives tips on how to minimize nail "pop" or "backout." (392 KB)

Storage and Handling of APA Trademarked Panels
To assure optimum performance, APA-trademarked wood structural panels must be stored and handled properly. This two-page document presents guidelines that will help protect panels from damage in storage, during shipment and on the jobsite. (401 KB)

Uncertified Chinese Hardwood Plywood vs. U.S. Certified PS 1 Plywood
APA document comparing uncertified Chinese plywood to plywood certified to U.S. product standard PS 1-07 (921 KB)

Low Formadehyde Emissions
Review this page for information about Formadehyde emissions regulations.

Structural Wood Panels and Formaldehyde
This report summarizes the results of research on this subject and explains why these products have not caused fomaldehyde offgassing problems (1.64 MB)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
MSDS for Plywood (42 KB)