Marine Plywood
(7 Products)Marine Plywood is a premium load-bearing sheet material designed specifically for use in environments exposed to moisture, such as boats, docks, and other marine structures. Unlike standard plywood, which is typically made with interior-grade adhesives, marine plywood uses waterproof glues that ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of high humidity and water exposure. 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. That being said, the level of marine plywood's water resistance is largely dependent on proper preparatory sealing and treating. Sheets should receive a thorough coating of high-quality waterproof sealants, such as epoxy or polyurethane, to enhance their resistance to water intrusion and decay.
Edges, often the most vulnerable areas, should be especially well-treated to prevent delamination or swelling caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. Additionally, regular maintenance, such as reapplying sealant and inspecting for any damage, is crucial to ensure long-term durability and performance in demanding environments.
Where Is Marine Plywood Used?
While specifically designed 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 Benefits
- Water 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
- Defect free - lack of voids and holes makes the product more structurally sound
Marine Plywood Water Resistance
Marine plywood sheets are manufactured to meet the rigorous standards of BS 1088, the British Standard for marine-grade plywood. This specification sets precise requirements for plywood crafted from untreated tropical hardwood veneers, ensuring a high level of resistance to fungal attack. This stamp of approval ensures that the product will perform well in almost any environment.
Offering many benefits as both an interior and exterior plywood board, Marine Grade Plywood utilises only highly durable species of wood veneer 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.
While 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 softwood such as pine or Douglas fir. Marine grade plywood is constructed using as many as five thin layers which are then 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.
Are Marine Plywood Sheets Waterproof?
Despite its name and functionality, marine-grade plywood is not entirely waterproof. Though its veneers are bonded with waterproof glues, 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 not one hundred percent resistant to rot.
That being said, when properly sealed and treated marine plywood is capable of withstanding much harsher conditions, making it ideal for applications like boat construction, docks, and outdoor furniture.
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
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