Douglas Fir can have gaps and defects. Combining those qualities with an extremely clean appearance, plywood sheets and veneers are often available in Douglas fir. It should also be noted that fir is made into plywood far more often than pine. In Application. It has a clean and smooth surface, and it holds nails and screws well. This type of plywood is commonly used to build cabinets and boxes. Fir plywood is used in the construction of most homes. Baltic Birch: Another versatile plywood material is Baltic birch. Anybody have any websites that have the specs of fir vs pine CDX? As a result, this is a common material found in large buildings and bridge trestles. Cost is the overriding factor when differentiating between pine and fir. Douglas-fir is a hugely important lumber tree, grown widely in plantations well outside its native range. This is a more expensive option, as it has clean edges and has a nice finish. An engineer used a density meter said it had weakened between the trusses, supposedly because the ply … Several kinds of pines native to the Southeast -- loblolly, slash, shortleaf and longleaf -- are classified in the lumber industry as “southern yellow pine” and are widely used in … European Pine is built to a high spec and has more plies Sanded Pine: Sanded pine is a versatile plywood material. We have a roof that sagged between the trusses using 5/8″ pine plywood. In applications where either wood can be used, such as exteriors, interior trim or even decking, pine will save thousands of dollars over fir. It’s more immune to abrasive wear & tear than other softwoods, and it offers some resistance to decay.