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Formaldehyde in Plywood

Last Post 10 Aug 2012 10:53 AM by ICFHybrid. 3 Replies.

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Qonan

New Member

Posts:2

10 Aug 2012 08:02 AM
I have a house build in 1855 with two additions added in the late 50’s or early 60’s. I’ve removed a wall to make the two additions a single room which will function as our new kitchen and dining room. But I need to level the existing floors which have an approximate 3/8-inch height differential. I have removed everything applied to the floors over the years and I am down to the original pine tongue & groove pine subfloor. I want to purchase a 3/8-inch plywood product to bring the one floor up to match the 2nd floor. I then intend to cover the entire area with 5mm “Tri Ply” underlayment from Home Depot. The Tri Ply product is advertised and CARB Phase II compliant. My problem is I can’t seem to find a 3/8-inch product which is CARB Phase II compliant (or formaldehyde free). I think I know a little bit about formaldehyde and plywood. I know about urea based formaldehyde (traditional interior plywood). I know about phenol based plywood (traditional exterior plywood). I know about NAUF (No Added Urea Formaldehyde), NAF (No Added Formaldehyde), ULEF (Ultra Low Emitting Formaldehyde) and I know a little about the (California Air Resources Board) CARB I & CARB Phase II standards. A lot of people have told me that I’m out of control and that I don’t need to worry about formaldehyde in my plywood and I’ve gotten a lot of bad information from folks who work at traditional lumber yards and home centers. Some have treated me like I’m a whack job, so I’m a bit frustrated; I know what I want and if I’m willing to pay for it who’s to say I shouldn’t have it? It seems that most of the “no formaldehyde” plywood products (like Columbia Forest Products’ “PureBond”) are hard wood plys designed for interior use like cabinetry, but I’ve given serious consideration to using it simply because it’s what I want/need. I need six 4x8 pieces of 3/8-inch ply which isn’t going to off-gas formaldehyde but I can't find it (or a viable alternative) anywhere Maybe I sould simply use a pheonol-formaldehyde product and be done with it? Any ideas or thoughts? Thanks.

ICFHybrid

Veteran Member

Posts:3039

10 Aug 2012 08:37 AM
Any ideas or thoughts? Yes. I have one. The cost/benefit ratio to this issue is not worth the time you have put in on it. ETA: If this is a compulsion that you can't control, you can try this. That is very thin ply. Buy the ply that will fit and store it in a hot, preferably humid location. A stand-alone garage or garden shed that gets very hot in Aug and Sep might be just right. Make sure the sheets are well separated for air circulation. After a few weeks, remove your product and install it. Most of the off-gassing will have occurred during the heat treatment. Do not enter the garden shed following the treatment without ventilating it first.

Qonan

New Member

Posts:2

10 Aug 2012 09:27 AM
The cost/benefit ratio to this issue is not worth the time you have put in on it. Thank you for your reply ICFHybrid. Probably not, but please tell me the experience or knowledge you possess which makes your statement true. I'm not trying to give you a hard time, it's just that a lot of folks have made statements to me without providing any evidence which supports their contention. And I just want to know the truth.

ICFHybrid

Veteran Member

Posts:3039

10 Aug 2012 10:53 AM
Read your PM. The bottom line is that a few sheets of 3/8" plywood is not going to create a hazardous level of anything in your home. You are much more likely to trip over a 3/8" defect somewhere and break your neck. That's the truth.