Looking for cdx (sheathing grade) lumber? Browse live listings from suppliers across the US.
Browse ListingsAbout CDX (Sheathing Grade) Lumber
CDX is trade shorthand for C-D plywood sheathing with an Exposure 1 bond under PS 1. The face is C veneer, the back is D veneer with larger knotholes allowed, and the panel is unsanded. The X refers to the waterproof glue, but Exposure 1 panels are built to withstand weather during construction delays, not permanent outdoor exposure.
Against BCX and ACX, both faces are rougher and neither is a marking surface. It is a structural sheathing panel, often carrying an APA span rating.
For packaging, CDX is the everyday crate panel for sides, tops and pallet decks where strength and closure matter and appearance does not. For long outdoor storage or sea freight, choose an Exterior-rated panel.
What to Look For When Buying
- C-D and Exposure 1 on the panel trademark
- Span rating and thickness matching the crate design
- D back knotholes clear of nailing lines
- Delamination or swelling from earlier wetting
Ideal For
- Crate sides, tops and ends
- Pallet decks and platform tops
- Temporary enclosures and site packaging
Not Recommended For
- Permanent outdoor exposure
- Faces that need printing or paint
Buying Tips
- Use the span rating, not the face grade, to pick thickness
- Keep it covered in storage; it is not an Exterior panel
- Step up to BCX or ACX only when a face needs to be clean
- Plywood is exempt from ISPM-15; solid-wood skids and cleats are not
What buyers pay
$3.78estimate per unit
Estimate: fewer than 5 listings of this grade, so this figure is modeled from the producer price index, not read from listings. Lumber prices by grade and state
Common Misconceptions
- The X in CDX does not mean the panel is rated for permanent exterior exposure