Difference Between Boiling Waterproof Plywood and Marine Plywood
October 20, 2024
Most often, people are confused with boiling Waterproof Plywood and Marine Plywood when constructing with plywood, especially in wet conditions. While both resist water, the manufacturing process and durability differ, along with their uses.
What is Boiling Waterproof Plywood?
Boiling Waterproof Plywood, or BWP plywood, is a premium grade, water-resistant plywood designed to withstand intense moisture. Coupled with this, the Boiling Waterproof Plywood resists fungal attack, too, which makes it ideal for areas where high humidity prevails.
The plywood is manufactured by bonding multiple layers of wood veneer with phenolic resins, which render resistance to water and boiling conditions.
The adhesive applied in BWP plywood provides resistance to warping, cracking, and swelling even when there is prolonged exposure to water.
What is Marine Plywood?
Marine Plywood is another durable water resistant plywood. It is specially made for extremely moist areas, especially in marine environments. This plywood is manufactured using waterproof adhesives and the finest quality wood veneers that have no voids or gaps. The absence of gaps allows it to expose marine plywood for a long period to water without losing its shape.
The adhesive applied in Marine Plywood is an exterior-grade adhesive, for example, phenol-formaldehyde, which adds more strength to this plywood type. The veneers are usually made from hardwood species, which provide them with the strength they need to be able to function under marine conditions. Marine plywood also follows the standards set by IS:710 regarding resistance to water and its durability, just as with BWP plywood.
Manufacturing Process of BWP and Marine Plywood
BWP Plywood:
Wood Veneers: BWP plywood consists of multiple layers of wood veneers bonded together by a certain phenol-formaldehyde resin.
Adhesive: Waterproof glue is used here making it suitable for situations and areas where the exposure to moisture cannot be avoided. Boiling Waterproof Plywood is treated in such a way that it resists boiling water and moisture.
Treatment: The plywood is subjected to chemical treatment to handle infestation by pests, fungi, and bacteria in moisture prone areas.
Marine Plywood
Wood Veneers: Wood veneers used in Marine Plywood include high-quality hardwoods, and layers which are fully free of voids-no gap and hole amongst the layers to make them more robust and durable.
Adhesive: Marine plywood uses the same adhesive made of phenol and formaldehyde, but with marine grade bonding to ensure the shape is completely retained.
Treatment: It is treated to provide resistance against rot and decaying/ saltwater.
Differences between Boiling Waterproof Plywood and Marine Plywood
Water Resistance:
Boiling Waterproof Plywood can withstand boiling water for hours without degrading its structure and is best used in kitchens or bathrooms.
Marine plywood is manufactured for extreme and prolonged exposure to water, especially in marine environments. It is designed to handle water and regular submersion, making it ideal for marine use.
Strength:
BWP plywood is strong and durable. The gap-free veneers used in the marine plywood makes it bear more load and retain its shape.
Price
Boiling Waterproof Plywood is cheaper compared to marine plywood since it is less intricate in its making process. Marine plywood is made of high-grade hardwood veneers and marine-grade adhesives and is costlier.
Void-Free Construction
Small voids or gaps between the layers in BWP plywood does not affect its performance in residential or semi-commercial projects.
The layers in marine plywood are completely void-free to ensure no water seeps through gaps.
Applications of Boiling Waterproof Plywood
Boiling Waterproof Plywood finds its extended application in many fields due to its excellent water-resistant properties.
Kitchens and Bathrooms:
These places are more prone to coming into contact with water and moisture quite frequently. Thus, Boiling Waterproof Plywood, when used in making cabinets, countertops, and storage units, makes these long-lasting and resistant to warping or fungal damages over a period of time.
Furniture:
Furniture in the areas which face moderate exposure to moisture like chairs, tables, cupboards.
Outdoor Furniture:
It can be conveniently used in garden furniture, patio sets, and semi-outdoor places where it may get in contact with rain or humidity.
Marine Plywood finds its uses in
Boat Building:
They are used in construction of boats, docks and can withstand long exposure to salt water without degrading.
Exterior Construction:
Marine Plywood is good to use in areas exposed to heavy rain and moisture. They are best used in external walls, sheds, and other outdoor constructions where durability is required against harsh conditions.
High-End Furniture:
Marine plywood boasts of unparalleled strength and durability for outdoor or marine furniture. It resists rot, fungi, and termites, hence preferred plywood for furniture that would be exposed to inclement weather.
Conclusion
BWP and Marine Plywood have excellent resistance to water but differ in strength, durability, and cost. Boiling Waterproof Plywood is ideal for interior projects where the tendency for moisture to be present may be there but not necessarily with continued water exposure, while Marine Plywood is intended for very heavy-duty applications that involve either marine or exterior environments where eventual water contact would be experienced for a long time. One can choose the type of plywood required depending on the project requirements and cost.