Lauan Plywood Availability?

[C855B]

Or "luan", whatever you prefer.

In the process of accumulating materials to start benchwork, I have run into the sudden disappearance of 1/8" lauan ply in the big-box DIY stores. Both HD and Lowe's do not inventory it at all, the thinnest/cheapest they have now is 5mm, and it's not nearly as cheap as the "old" lauan. Menard's still sells 1/8", but the closest Menard's is a 120-mile round trip (in a vehicle that gets 8 mpg, so do the math).

Anybody else run into this yet? Seems odd. I'm curious if there was a news item about this that I missed.

[jagged ben]

It's been about 5 years since I had to order that stuff all the time for my work.  So I don't know anymore.

Are there no independent lumber yards closer than the Menards?  A place that is actually a lumber yard rather than a 'home improvement' store might be a better bet. 

[Philip H]

Ask for "door Skin" the product names seems to have changed.

[C855B]

No-go on "door skin".  Home Depot (.com) even cross-references "luan", "luaun" and "door skin" to 1/8" tempered hardboard. They simply no longer carry it. I will have to ask (again) at the local Lowe's about what happened to it. I'm not going crazy, I have some floating around the shop, bought maybe a year ago at Home Depot.

I've had very poor luck with the local independents. If it's not a 2-by-something or 4x8 1/2" C-D, they tend to curl up and slink away, whimpering "never heard of it." We have been sent on lots of wild goose chases by our locals, or, "we can special order it"... but by the pallet.

This isn't a project killer by any means. Just something that hit me as strange. I will probably suck it up and drive the big truck to Menard's, stocking-up on more pink foam while there since they're also the only place around here that stocks Foamular 250 2".

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Call first! 

Having been hunting around the area HD's and Lowes (at least 5 of each) I've been amazed at the difference between listed-online and in-stock items that vary from store to store.

Case in point:
Online, none of the HD's in a 50 mile radius carry 2" pink foam.
(Ok, the one HD "Pro" store across the bay in South San Francisco lists it online, but that's a good hour away)
Yet when I visited 3 of the 6 stores in person (which listed no pink in stock), it turned out they carried not only 1/2" and 1" sheets, but also 2" 4'x8' sheets 
[One store had broken scraps, which I got at a big discount, while another had 7 whole intact solid sheets]

Online, Lowes should have some blue foam, yet when I got to those stores they carried only the "new" white beaded styrofoam. 
And some 1"x2'x2' "Project Panels" that are priced waaaaaaaaaay more than they're worth.

It's the same with the wood: no matter what's listed online, I know to go to one HD to get the 1/4" sanded ply but to another to get the nice 1/2" ply and yet another to get the 1/8" sanded oak ply for shelves.

Guess I'm lucky to be in the San Francisco Bay Area, where there are more HD's and Lowes than sunny-warm winter days (a lot, recently!), but I still suggest you should physically travel to the store, look around, find what you need, and establish a relationship with someone you trust there (manager, hook-up, etc.) so that next time you can call with a name and a product and save yourself a trip if not in stock.

You're gonna need a lot.
Get the hook up now (or in spring, when people aren't rushing for insulation as hard)

Good luck!

[Mike C]

  Have you tried a local cabinet builder ?

[mmyers]

Try the contractor desk at Home Depot. I 've ordered some pretty obscure stuff through the contractor desk. Probably the same at Lowes but I don't do Lowes anymore.

Martin Myers

[fotoflojoe]

Unless it's simply not manufactured anymore (which I doubt), an indy lumber yard should be able to get 1/8 lauan plywood for you, no problem.
Set builders blow through that stuff like it's water.

[wcfn100]

No-go on "door skin".  Home Depot (.com) even cross-references "luan", "luaun" and "door skin" to 1/8" tempered hardboard.

The store here in Springs still has it even though HD.com doesn't list it.  Make sure you check the bottom shelves if you go.

Jason

[CR6707]

I work for a local lumber supply company.  1/8" lauan is being phased out pretty much because there isnt much demand for it anymore.  Other than cabinet making, lauans biggest use was underlayment for ceramic tile.  Alot of local building codes now require 1/4" underlayment be used instead of 1/8".  Here are your choices for 1/8" sheeting materials.

1.  Multiply.  It is sold as an underlayment in either 4x4 or 4x8 sheets.  Sold in both 1/8" and 1/4".
or just ask for "underlayment sheeting.

2.  Use paneling.  Some lumber supply companies get special order paneling either someone ordered and never picked up or a corner damaged ( which is quite common in shipping)  you can get paneling cheap ( some around 10-15 per sheet).  Its also available in 1/8" and 1/4". If you still have no luck, just ask for paneling samples and prices and order a few sheets.  Plygem has the best selection and fastest shipping. It doesnt matter what it lookes like because your going to use the unfinished side anyway.

hope this helps.

Scott

[C855B]

I work for a local lumber supply company.  1/8" lauan is being phased out pretty much because there isnt much demand for it anymore.  Other than cabinet making, lauans biggest use was underlayment for ceramic tile.  Alot of local building codes now require 1/4" underlayment be used instead of 1/8". ...
hope this helps.

It helps tremendously, Scott. That's the answer I'm looking for, soon to be made of "unobtainium". I will source Multiply instead.

Too bad, sort of, 'cause lauan was cheap. We're getting into cost creep on this layout, just like the building that surrounds it.

[mmyers]

I used Multiply 1/4 inch for years as flooring underlayment. It cost more then luann but is quality plywood.
Can't count how many replacements I did over the years because of luann with soft spots and separating.

Martin Myers

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

My local HD and Lows have "Door Skin" in stock but not on the website. Like others have said go in to the Door Section and look low. I found mine 2 inches off the floor under all the outside doors. I walked by the it 3 or 4 times because I only saw the doors and didn't go look down the row.

[pnolan48]

1/8 ply has been getting harder to find for about 20 years. Just like 2" insulation, I found it best to order from a specialty supplier. A few phone calls saved a lot of time and money. We seem to have forgotten how to pick up the phone and ask a few questions. I've found supplies of sheet styrene, insulation, door skins, measuring cups, molding and casting materials, and small diameter tubing in four cities now just by picking up the phone and looking in the yellow pages.

[peteski]

1/8 ply has been getting harder to find for about 20 years. Just like 2" insulation, I found it best to order from a specialty supplier. A few phone calls saved a lot of time and money. We seem to have forgotten how to pick up the phone and ask a few questions. I've found supplies of sheet styrene, insulation, door skins, measuring cups, molding and casting materials, and small diameter tubing in four cities now just by picking up the phone and looking in the yellow pages.

What is that Yellow Pages thing you are talking about?