Plywood comes in grades and fits into 1 of multiple different categories, depending on its composition and how it was made. Marine-grade plywood, for instance, is the highest grade of plywood and differs from other types of plywood in many ways. In case you weren’t aware of marine-grade plywood and what gives it its name, let’s go through a complete breakdown of everything you could hope to know about marine-grade plywood.
What is marine grade plywood?
Marine grade plywood (also known as marine plywood or bruynzeel plywood/ bruynzeel marine plywood) is a premium grade timber product designed specifically for water-related applications. It consists of multiple layers of wood veneers bonded with water-resistant, weather, and boil-proof (WBP) glue.
Most plywood products use fewer, thicker layers of lower-quality wood. However, marine grade plywood uses more, thinner layers of high-quality wood. When exposed to water or high humidity, marine plywood exhibits excellent resistance to rotting, shrinking, and warping. This enhanced water resistance is achieved through the construction process.
What is marine grade plywood?
Is marine plywood waterproof?
As implied by its name, Bruynzeel marine plywood finds its primary use in marine endeavors like constructing boats, yachts, and similar waterborne projects. Its resilience against moisture and robust strength render it a perfect option for water-exposed structures such as docks, piers, and outdoor furnishings situated in coastal regions.
What is the best grade of marine plywood?
Are there different grades of marine plywood? Here are some of the top marine plywood grades:
- A-A Marine Grade Plywood: The highest quality, with both sides of the plywood being free of defects, making it highly durable and water-resistant.
- A-B Marine Grade Plywood: Strong and water-resistant, but with one side being of lesser quality (Grade B), which may have minor imperfections.
- B-B Marine Grade Plywood: Known as face-back, this grade has both sides with minor defects and is slightly less durable than A-A or A-B grades.
- MDO Plywood (Medium-Density Overlay): It features a smooth finish ideal for painting and is moderately water-resistant.
- HDO plywood (High-Density Overlay): The toughest plywood, it has a hard, durable, and smooth surface, offering the highest water resistance and strength for demanding marine applications.
When should you use marine grade plywood?
As mentioned before, marine plywood uses an impeccably durable and versatile sheet material, especially when using it in water applications. Beside these benefits, marine plywood price is not higher than that of regular plywood but you should make the right choice on your investments. So when should you consider marine plywood?
Boat building
Regardless of the size of the boat, you are building; marine plywood sheets are the best materials to use. The material is durable, easy to work with, and will protect your boat in case of a leak.
> Read more: 10 Marine Plywood Alternatives – Vinawood
Docks
Marine plywood is an excellent option for docks. While other wood types need sanding and annual treatment, the case is different for marine plywood. It withstands harsh environments with little maintenance every year. As such, it doesn’t warp or rot due to water conduct.
Flooring
Marine plywood is also an excellent plywood for cabinets and flooring, depending on the amount of water these places come in contact with.
> Read more: Laminate Flooring: Everything You Need To Know – VINAWOOD
Kitchen cabinets and kitchen furniture
Because it does not retain water, marine plywood is an excellent choice for kitchen cabinets and kitchen furniture. It are exposed to high levels of moisture, steam, and water from overflowing sinks, pressure cookers, kitchen appliances, leaky faucets, and so on.
Manufacture outdoor furniture
It is at risk of exposure to rain, such as garden benches, tables, swings, and lounge chairs.
Exploring the unique features of marine hardwood plywood
Vinawood Marine Plywood is the go-to option for lasting water-resistant solutions. Let’s explore some outstanding features of marine plywood.
Marine plywood uses high quality modified resin
The adhesives used in making marine plywood are synthetic plastic resin, basically, a Phenol Formaldehyde resin that is known to have great adhesive quality. Use of good quality resins helps block all the moisture and water. Good brands use undiluted resin so that the quality of the plywood is not compromised with.
They are used for exterior and high water-exposure applications
Mentioned earlier, these plywood have a great threshold for water exposure. Hence, marine-grade is used outdoors as garden furniture or staircases. Going by the name, they are used in the boat-making industry where exposure to water is high. They are preferred for bathroom and kitchen applications for the same reason.
Marine-grade plywood has unmatchable strength
Use of good quality resins and timber, make marine plywood the strongest in the plywood industry. They are known for their strength and durability. The waterproof aspect of these ply retains the integrity of your furniture.
They are heavy on the wallet
As compared to the moisture-resistant variant, commercial plywood, marine-grade plywood are generally twice as expensive. Marine plywood price differs from brand to brand, however, the plywood sheet price differs more because of the quality of resin and timber used to manufacture them. The utility of marine plywood is vast which could affect the marine plywood price in the plywood industry. They have an extraordinary surface finish for both residential and commercial purposes.
> Read more: Hardwood Flooring: Types, Costs and Color Selection Guide
Versatility of Marine plywood
Another advantage of marine plywood is its versatility in terms of surface finishes. It provides an extraordinary surface finish, making it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial purposes. Whether you prefer a smooth and polished appearance or a textured and rustic look, marine plywood can be easily customized to suit your aesthetic preferences. This versatility allows for endless design possibilities and creative expressions.
Excellent Stability of Marine plywood
Furthermore, marine plywood is designed to withstand various weather conditions and extreme temperatures. It has excellent dimensional stability, meaning it maintains its shape and size even when exposed to moisture, heat, or cold. This feature is crucial, especially in applications where the plywood may be subjected to significant temperature fluctuations or high humidity levels.
Marine plywood offered by Vinawood is impact-resistant and the hard exterior makes it scratch-proof. These features contribute to their popularity for commercial and residential constructions.
Vinawood offers a wide range of premium, boiling water-proof marine grade plywood. They are completely waterproof in nature, made with pre-pressing which gives them enhanced durability and longer life. It has more plies for added strength. It is borer and termite proof, protecting your interiors from untimely decay.
> Read more: How to seal plywood? 5 best methods to fully wateproof and seal
Where to buy plywood?
Vinawood is confident to become your long-term partner with high-quality products and reasonable prices. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional contractor, choosing the right supplier ensures you get durable and reliable plywood for your construction, woodworking, or home improvement projects.
As a leading plywood supplier in Vietnam, Vinawood committed to providing our customers with a wide range of high-quality products to meet their specific needs. Two popular products of plywood that our company prouds of are Marine Extra Plywood and Marine Standard Plywood.
> Read more: MDF Vs Plywood: Is MDF Better Than Plywood? – VINAWOOD
Conclusion
In summary, marine plywood is nothing but a more water-resistant version of waterproof plywood. For the features, characteristics, and uses mentioned above, it has long been and continues to be considered the best type of plywood for high-moisture areas.
You can find Marine plywood in two standards: extra and standard, each varying in quality, thickness, and cost (extra being the highest quality and standard relatively lowest). So if you’re considering starting a project that requires the use of marine plywood, understand which type of plywood will work best for your project.
At Vinawood, we take immense pride in being a renowned Plywood factory, manufacturer, and supplier based in Vietnam. With our unwavering commitment to excellence, we have garnered a reputation as a trusted provider of high-quality plywood products worldwide.
With a focus on customer satisfaction, we offer a wide range of customizable solutions to meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clients. Moreover, our products are compliant with industry standards, and we can provide you with a certificate of authenticity for added assurance.
VINAWOOD – Vietnam Plywood Supplier & Manufacturer