Marine Plywood
(7 Products)Where moisture resistance counts, rely on Marine Plywood. At its (highly moisture-resistant) core, Marine Plywood is a premium load-bearing sheet material that is primed to withstand the harshest weather conditions. So-called because of its popularity within the boatbuilding sector, Marine Plywood is also suitable for a wide range of construction applications where strength and stability are key such as flooring, roofing and wall applications.
Marine Plywood is made from solid veneer wood, meaning the finished surface gives a wooden appearance. Therefore, images may vary slightly from delivered products due to the natural variation in colour and grain.
What Is Marine Plywood?
Marine grade plywood is a premium performance hardwood plywood with excellent load-bearing properties and moisture resistance.
The only plywood to be employed nautically, this highly durable plywood is engineered with waterproof glue making it simply unrivalled when it comes to resisting water damage. To give you an idea of its durability, marine plywood is specifically optimised for submersion in water as part of a boat's hull.
Unlike regular plywood, Marine Ply sheets are made with waterproof glue and are much less likely to swell or delaminate when exposed to moisture.
Marine Plywood sheets conform to BS1088 (the British standard specification for Marine Plywood), assuring that they are manufactured from durable Meranti hardwood veneers.
This stamp of approval ensures that the product will perform well in almost any environment.
Where Is Marine Plywood Used?
While optimised for performance in water and seafaring, marine plywood also be used in the following applications:
- Shopfitting
- Storage boxes
- Bathrooms
- Sheds
- Walkways
- General joinery
- External joinery
- Kitchens
- Patios
- Indoor vehicle storage areas
- Roof supports
- Temporary structures
- Cold frames
If used for an aesthetic application such as shelving, we suggest sanding and adding a layer of varnish to enhance its overall appearance.
Marine Plywood Key Features
- Moisture resistant - retains its integrity when in contact with water and high humidity
- Suitable for flooring, roofing and wall applications
- Holds laminate, paint and polish well
- Pliable design - can bend without cracking or comprising structural integrity
- Offers superior impact resistance
- The lack of voids and holes makes the product more structurally sound
Marine Plywood Water Resistance
Offering many benefits as both an interior and exterior plywood board, Marine Grade Plywood utilises only highly durable species of timber to resist decaying in water-based applications.
This structural makeup and moisture resistance is what makes Marine Plywood so favoured by boat building industries and marine insurers; it boasts unrivalled weatherproof quality and performance in wet conditions over extended periods.
Whilst naturally resistant to moisture, you can easily increase the service life of Marine Plywood by sealing both the edges and faces of the sheets. Since it's not treated with chemicals, it's important to bear in mind that the sheets are not rot-resistant.
Plywood Alternatives
Frequently Asked Marine Plywood Questions
How Does Marine Plywood Differ From Standard Plywood?
Regular plywood is typically made using three glued-together plies of wood, whereas marine grade plywood is constructed using as many as five layers which are bonded with waterproof adhesive.
Despite having more layers than regular plywood, marine-grade plywood features far fewer voids, making it the most structurally sound of the two materials.
Marine plywood's strength and durability make it a good subfloor for heavy flooring materials, such as ceramic tile.
Is Marine Plywood Waterproof?
Despite its name and functionality, marine-grade plywood is not waterproof. Though it may be surprising, marine plywood is rather a sturdy plywood constructed with a bonding agent made for water submersion. Since it is not chemically treated, marine-grade plywood is neither resistant to rot.
What Are The Different Types of Plywood Grades?
Plywood is graded into 4 primary groups:
- Class 1 – Strictly internal
- Class 2 – Interior grade of humid conditions but must be sealed
- Class 3 – Exterior grade but must be sealed
- BS10 88 – Marine plywood
For other moisture-resistant sheet materials, check out our moisture-resistant MDF category page.
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