Using plans to build a bed headboard which calls for 3/4" hardwood plywood (34" x 60 1/2"), which is quite pricey for a sheet. What would the main purpose of hardwood specifically be, besides being more solid? I'm wondering if I can get away with pine plywood 1/2". Will that bend too much or something? I was wondering if I could even get away with 1/4" with some horizontal 2×2's for support behind it. The cheapest option may be to instead use 2×6's for the entire headboard but I'm wondering if that will be way too heavy.
Wood – Soft vs hard plywood vs two-by lumber for bed headrest
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If you could sneak the ends of the sistered members (plywood or other dimensional lumber so that its ends ride up on the end to end support of the notched beam you will end up with a better repair.
Your idea may work in the short term, but over time the waves will rip that apart. The other thing is that plywood in water won't last long either, even marine treated plywood is not designed to be submerged.
Here is what I did on our dock and above ground pool to allow our dog access.
Be sure to use pressure treated wood. The step allows the dog to swim up, get his front paws on for grip and then pull himself up out of the water.
It will take a little training but nothing a few treats for motivation cant fix.
Adjust the step for the size of dog you have, the smaller the higher you place the step
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Best Answer
You can certainly use pine/fir plywood. It depends entirely on the appearance you're after. Pine tends to look more casual or rustic than fine hardwoods. It's also softer on the surface veneer, which is why the best furniture tends to be mahogany, oak, maple, cherry, etc.
It's not substantially less rigid, though. Hardwood plywood is usually only hardwood on the thin outer veneer. The core of a BC grade pine and hardwood plywood is usually very similar. 3/4" is plenty strong and stiff for your application. There are high-grade plywoods with very thin layers, which makes them more stiff and stable, but that's a different situation than just switching species.
Whether you can reduce to 1/2" depends on the design. It'll be less flat initially and more likely to warp over time if not supported by a rigid frame structure.