Marine Plywood - Plywood With Water Resistant Qualities

What is marine plywood?

In construction, marine plywood is a specially treated plywood that is designed to resist rotting in a high-moisture environment. Marine plywood is frequently used in the construction of docks and boats.

Marine Plywood - A Water Repellant Plywood

Advantages of marine plywood

Durability - small scratches through painted plywood may expose the interior to water. Inexpensive plywood may not last long when it is damp.
Strength - marine plywood is stronger and has consistent mechanical properties: no voids.
Workability - marine plywood is usually easier than fiberglass to cut and bend.
Resistance to Warping - marine plywood (with the exception of Fir-based plywoods) will resist warping or check.

Disadvantages of marine plywood

Cost - Marine plywood is much more expensive than standard plywood. Costs for a typical 4 foot by 8 foot 1/2 inch thick board is roughly £40 to £60 or around £2 per square foot.This is about three times as expensive as standard plywood. Lloyds Graded marine plywood is even more expensive.

1/8 inch (4 mm)
1/4 inch (6 mm)
1/2 inch (12 mm)
3/4 inch (18 mm)

Standards and ratings

Marine plywood can be graded as being compliant with BS 1088, which is a British Standard for marine plywood. There are few international standards for grading marine plywood and most of the standards are voluntary. Some marine plywood has a Lloyd's of London stamp that implies that it is BS 1088 compliant. Some plywood is also labeled base on the wood used to manufacture it. Examples of this are Okoume or Meranti

References

1. PS1-95, Construction and Industrial Plywood.
2. Engineered Wood Construction Guide.
3. American Plywood Association.
4. P4 Plywood Design Specification January 1997. The Engineered Wood Association.

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