Understanding Exterior Pine Plywood Grades at Saplings Timber Trading

Written By Gabriella Rodrigues

Exterior pine plywood is one of the most versatile board products in the timber industry, widely used in construction, formwork, joinery, packaging, and general site applications. At Saplings Timber Trading, we stock a range of wholesale exterior pine plywood grades to suit different budgets, applications, and visual requirements for B2B customers across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Understanding these grades helps you choose the right product for the job, without overpaying or compromising on performance.

We stock mostly imported exterior pine plywood, complemented by a limited range of locally sourced pine ply in South Africa, depending on availability and thickness requirements.

Blog quick read:

Plywood grades tell you how clean or knotty the face and back will look (appearance), not the strength. “Exterior” ply uses WBP bonding for better moisture resistance, making it a reliable option for many outdoor and construction applications when specified and installed correctly.

What Do Plywood Grades Mean?

Plywood grades describe the visual quality of the face and back veneers, not the structural strength. Exterior pine plywood is bonded with exterior-grade (WBP) glue, making it suitable for outdoor environments when used correctly.

Grades are typically shown as two letters:

  • The first letter refers to the face surface

  • The second letter refers to the back surface

“A” is the highest visual quality, while “D” allows for more natural imperfections such as:

  • Knots

  • Repairs

  • Colour variation

You also get builder’s grade plywood (CDX & BCX, with “X” representing Builders Grade), which is an economical option with poor surface quality and poor strength, made for construction environments and one-time use. If the plywood will be hidden or used temporarily, it’s a practical and cost-effective choice.

Saplings Timber Trading doesn’t stock Builders Grade Plywood, but we’ll always advise on the closest suitable alternative if you’re specifying for a particular job or client requirement.

Shutterply (18mm & 21mm) – Untreated

Visual Appearance:

  • All our Shutterply is C+C grade and is designed for function over appearance

  • Expect visible knots, filled splits, colour variation, and repairs

  • These are normal for Shutterply, but we aim to stock the best Shutterply with minimal appearance defects, especially for high-volume trade supply

Uses:

  • Concrete shuttering and formwork

  • Temporary structures

  • Site hoardings

  • Packaging and crating

  • Sub floors

Quality:

  • Designed for strength and durability rather than appearance

  • Manufactured to handle repeated use in construction environments

  • A dependable choice for contractors and builders buying in bulk

Pricing:

  • This is the most cost-effective option in our exterior pine plywood range

  • Ideal for wholesale orders, high-volume sites, and budget-sensitive projects

Shutterply C+C (18mm & 21mm) – CCA Treated

Visual Appearance:

  • Similar to untreated Shutterply

  • Includes the greenish tint associated with CCA (Copper Chrome Arsenate) treatment

Uses:

  • Outdoor formwork

  • Ground-contact applications

  • Areas exposed to moisture, insects, or decay

Quality:

  • CCA treatment significantly improves resistance to rot, termites, and fungal decay

  • Extends the lifespan of the panel in harsh environments

  • Often a better fit for coastal builds, damp conditions, and long-term exterior use

Pricing:

  • Slightly higher than untreated Shutterply due to the treatment process

  • Excellent value for exterior and long-term outdoor use where performance matters

Exterior Pine Ply BB

Visual Appearance:

  • BB grade offers a noticeably cleaner face than C-grade material

  • Generally fewer visible imperfections

  • Better colour consistency

  • Smooth to the touch, resulting in a more uniform and visually acceptable surface for visible joinery applications

Uses:

  • Shelving

  • Cabinet carcasses

  • Painted furniture

  • Interior and semi-exposed applications

Quality:

  • A good balance between appearance and cost

  • Popular for projects where visible faces matter

  • Well suited to joinery shops, shopfitters, and manufacturers

Pricing:

  • Most expensive exterior pine ply we stock

  • Significantly more presentable for client-facing finishes

Exterior Pine Ply BC

Visual Appearance:

  • BC features a high-quality B-grade face with generally better colour consistency

  • Paired with a C-grade back

Uses:

  • Joinery

  • Furniture components

  • Built-in cupboards

  • Panels that require a cleaner painted or laminated finish

Quality:

  • Well-suited for projects that demand reliability and a better aesthetic

  • A strong “best value” option for many trade customers

Pricing:

  • Lower than BB

  • Excellent value for visible applications

Exterior Pine Ply C+C (General Purpose)

Visual Appearance:

  • Designed for function over appearance

  • Expect visible knots, filled splits, colour variation, and repairs

Uses:

  • Structural uses

  • Bracing

  • Industrial applications

  • Non-visible components

Quality:

  • Strong, dependable panels designed for performance rather than looks

  • Ideal for practical builds and internal components

Pricing:

  • One of the most affordable plywood options we stock

  • Common in bulk supply scenarios

AB Grade (Not Stocked)

Visual Appearance:

  • AB grade represents premium plywood

  • A-grade face is smooth, uniform, and free of knots

  • Paired with a smooth B-grade back

Uses:

  • High-end furniture

  • Exposed architectural panels

  • Clear-coated or stained finishes

Quality & Pricing:

  • Top-tier product with a price to match

  • While Saplings Timber Trading does not currently stock AB grade, we are happy to advise customers if a premium finish is required and discuss alternative options

Thickness Range & Availability

We stock exterior pine plywood in thicknesses from 4mm to 32mm, covering everything from lightweight panelling to heavy-duty structural applications.

  • Thickness range: 4mm to 32mm

  • Availability may vary between imported and locally sourced stock

  • Our team can help match the right product to your needs, especially for trade pricing, bulk orders, and repeat supply

Why Choose Saplings Timber Trading?

At Saplings Timber Trading, we focus on:

  • Reliable quality

  • Competitive pricing

  • Honest advice based on real-world use

  • Stock that suits the South African market

  • Wholesale supply to B2B customers across the Western Cape and Eastern Cape

Whether you need cost-effective Shutterply for construction or higher-grade exterior pine plywood for joinery and finishing, we’ve got you covered.

Chat to our team today to find the right plywood grade for your project, request trade pricing, and confirm stock availability.


Written By - Johan Olivier

Gabriella Rodrigues