Gurjan Plywood Types: A Simple Guide to Different Types of Gurjan Plywood

April 8, 2026

Durability and strength are the primary criteria when selecting plywood for use in furniture, as well as in creating interiors and constructing buildings. Gurjan plywood is well-known among various types of plywood on the market today because it has incredible strength, is manufactured from dense hardwoods, and has excellent long-term durability. These qualities have made use of Gurjan plywood sheets a very popular choice for high-end furniture, as well as in kitchens (i.e. modular), closets, entrances and in structural applications.

Unfortunately, many customers do not know that there are different Gurjan plywood types meant for different applications and that there are many different materials that meet the requirements of their applications, in addition to being durable enough to withstand changes in environmental conditions. By understanding the different varieties of gurjan plywood, homeowners/Interior Designers/Contractors may be able to identify which type will allow them to create interiors that are built to last.

This guide will cover the major types of Gurjan plywood that exist, how they are different from one another, why Gurjan plywood is considered a superior product, how to identify an authentic Gurjan plywood board, and what factors play a role in their pricing.

Quick Answer

Gurjan plywood is an umbrella term describing sheets of plywood manufactured from a layer of Gurjan, or Gurdun, hardwood. Gurjan is a dense, durable tropical hardwood, making it an excellent choice for applications where strength and durability are required. Because of the durability and density of Gurjan plywood, it has been utilised in a variety of ways, including cabinets, modular kitchens, wardrobes, interior doors and structural applications.

Quick Answer
What Types of Gurjan Plywood are There?
Why Gurjan Plywood is Preferred
Understanding the Different Types of Gurjan Plywood
How to Identify Authentic Gurjan Plywood
Gurjan Plywood Pricing
Tips to Choose the Right Gurjan Plywood
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Gurjan Plywood are There?

Gurjan plywood types are plywood sheets that have been produced using Gurjan wood veneer - a dense hardwood that comes from a species of tropical hardwood, which makes it strong enough to withstand bending, and thus is an attractive alternative to plywood for making both structural and residential furniture items.

The most commonly used types of Gurjan plywood include:

Gurjan Waterproof Plywood
Gurjan Marine Plywood
Gurjan Boiling Waterproof Plywood
Gurjan Moisture-Resistant Plywood
Gurjan Calibrated Plywood
Gurjan Face Plywood

Each type of Gurjan plywood is used for specific applications such as modular kitchen cabinets, closets, entrance doors, and heavy-duty furniture. Gurjan plywood,along

with other types of plywood,has the potential to provide both strength and durability; however, many people find that the durability of Gurjan plywood gives it an edge over other types of plywood as a preferred type of plywood. Because the wood used to construct Gurjan plywood comes from the hardwood of the Gurjan tree, Gurjan plywood is a naturally durable product.

Why Gurjan Plywood is Preferred

Exceptional Strength & Density

Wood from the gurjan tree is also unique due to its density, which produces a tremendous load-bearing strength for the finished product - i.e., if you construct your finished product with gurjan plywood (and ur plywood), you can produce considerably stronger and longer-lasting products compared to other plywood types.

Superior Durability

Another benefit for customers who use types of Gurjann plywood is their high endurance or longevity. The characteristics associated with Gurjan plywood are such that they will not warp/bend/crack over time, even with prolonged use.

Exceptional Holding Power

Because the wood used in Gurjan plywood is a dense hardwood and is therefore produced using a very high-quality adhesive, the wood used to produce plywood products has the highest screw-holding ability of any other plywood type. Therefore, Gurjan plywood is specifically suited for making cabinets, wardrobes, and modular furniture products.

High Moisture Resistance

Most of the varieties of gurjan plywood types are manufactured using waterproof or moisture-resistant adhesive(s), which makes them ideal for use in kitchens and other moisture-prone areas.

Long Term Value

Although Gurjan plywood is slightly more expensive than standard plywood, based on the longevity of the product and quality of the product, Gurjan plywood provides an excellent long-term investment...

Understanding the Different Types of Gurjan Plywood

Understanding the varieties of Gurjan plywood products will help you select the right panel for your application.

Waterproof Gurjan Plywood

Waterproof Gurjan plywood is probably among the most popular types of Gurjan plywood used for residential applications inside the home. Waterproof Gurjan plywood is manufactured using a waterproof adhesive and maintains the bond between the individual layers of plywood when the plywood becomes wet.

Marine Gurjan Plywood

Marine Gurjan plywood is a very strong type of Gurjan plywood, and it is used in areas that are going to be exposed to water and humidity. It is made of just the dense hardwood veneer, and it's designed with high-quality waterproof adhesives to be very durable. It can be used in areas that will be exposed to moisture for long periods of time. Examples of where you would typically find marine plywood include boat interiors, bathroom furniture, outdoor cabinetry, and any type of construction that is located near or next to a body of water.

In comparison, marine Gurjan plywood has more water-resistant properties than any other type of Gurjan plywood on the market.

Boiling Waterproof Gurjan Plywood

Boiling waterproof ply (BWP) is Gurjan plywood specifically intended for use in high moisture areas. Its construction allows it to be immersed in water for extended periods of time without degrading in structural integrity. This makes it the ideal type of Gurjan plywood to use in kitchens.

Typical installations of boiling waterproof ply include modular/attached kitchens, sink cabinetry, bathroom vanities, and any kind of utility space.

For those looking for the most durable type of Gurjan ply to use in wet areas, boiling waterproof ply would be your best bet.

Moisture-Resistant Gurjan Plywood

Commercially Moisture Resistant (also known as General Purpose) loading of moisture-resistant Gurjan ply would be the recommended choice for general use in dry locations (not direct water exposure).

There are many ways to utilise this product:

Office Furniture
Bookcases
Tables for Studies
Decorative Panels

MR plywood (moisture-resistant) is classified as one of the most popular types of gurjan plywood, but should not be used in areas such as kitchens or bathrooms.

Calibrated Gurjan Plywood

Calibrated Gurjan Plywood can be created through the use of advanced sanders, which develop consistent thickness in the panel/sheet.

Calibrated Gurjan Plywood provides one of the most popular kinds of Gurjan plywood types used in creating manufactured modular furniture.

The benefits of using calibrated Gurjan Plywood include:

Smooth surface finishes
Consistent thickness
Easily laminated/veneered

Common Application of calibrated Gurjan Plywood in manufactured modular furniture:

Modular Kitchens
Wardrobes
Factory Made Furniture

Gurjan Face Plywood

Gurjan Face Plywood is composed of the structural integrity of the Gurjan wood (also known as Dipterocarpus) with its visual beauty (aesthetics). This dual-purpose capability delivers some of the most versatile applications in furniture and interior design from many of the types of Gurjan plywood available.

Common Applications for Gurjan Face Plywood include: cabinets, partitions, wardrobes, decorative furniture, etc.

How to Identify Authentic Gurjan Plywood

Due to its high importance in the building industry, it is very important for individuals to understand how to validate (authenticate) the product.

Check Veneer Layers

The majority of Gurjan Plywood will be constructed using a dense (hard) wood veneer; therefore,they will be very dark and much stronger than softwood veneered types of plywood.

Inspect the Edge Structure

Good quality Gurjan Plywood will be constructed with tightly glued layers, exposing no gaps or voids.

Look at the Thickness

High-quality Gurjan Plywood will have a consistent thickness throughout the entire sheet.

Check for the manufacturer's brand

Reputable Manufacturers will place the product brand and specifications on the respective sheet of plywood.

Examine Surface Quality

The surface should be smooth and blemish-free, with no vertical cracks, patches, or rough surfaces. Buyers can use identification methods to make it easier for them to make their decision regarding the best types of Gurjan plywood that are available in the marketplace.

Gurjan Plywood Pricing

The price of Gurjan plywood varies based on various factors.

Thickness

Some thicknesses of plywood are common at 12mm, 16mm and 19mm. Thicker boards will generally have a higher price than their thinner counterparts.

Type of Bonding and Grade

Marine-grade plywood and BWP-grade plywood are both going to be higher priced due to being bonded together with a higher-grade adhesive than is used to manufacture MR grade.

Quality of Manufacturing

Premium branded products use more stringent measures to control quality, giving them a longer usable lifespan and greater durability than other brands.

Quality of Core Material and Quantity of Veneer

Higher quality veneer will result in higher strength and a higher price. While the price of Gurjan plywood varies by both location and by manufacturer, it will always be more expensive than other types of plywood due to its strength and durability.

Tips to Choose the Right Gurjan Plywood

The right type of plywood can greatly affect the durability of any furniture that you build.

Here are some things to remember when picking the right Gurjan plywood.

Always use waterproof or BWP-grade plywood for kitchens and bathrooms.
Always use calibrated plywood when building modular-type furniture to ensure uniformity.
Always use MR-grade plywood in dry, interior building locations.
Always purchase plywood that meets the structural requirements for your project (thickness).
Always purchase from a reputable manufacturer.

Using the various types of Gurjan plywood available will guarantee that your furniture will perform to your expectations for an extended period of time.

Summary

Over the years, Gurjan plywood has gained a significant following; due to its tremendous strength, durability and dependability, and therefore it is an extremely popular choice for modern interior design. Gurjan plywood comes in many types with slightly different properties; for example, marine Gurjan plywood is built to operate in marine conditions, while moisture-resistant or waterproof Gurjan plywood prevents water from penetrating the board either while exposed to water, or through the use of coatings on the boards. All Gurjan plywood has varying temperature resistances, with some being made for much higher temperatures than others. Understanding the types and uses of the different types of gurjan plywood will help a purchaser find pieces of furniture or flooring that will last a long time.

The leading manufacturers of Gurjan plywood, such as Royale Touche, continue to produce durable, high-quality products to fulfil the demands of today’s market in both residential and commercial applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main types of Gurjan plywood?

The main types of Gurjan plywood include: Marine Plywood, Waterproof Plywood, BWP Plywood, Moisture Resistant Plywood, Calibrated Plywood and Gurjan Facing Plywood.

2. Which is the best type of Gurjan plywood for kitchens?

The best types of Gurjan plywood for use in kitchens are Boiling Waterproof and Marine, as both offer excellent resistance to water.

3. Is Gurjan plywood stronger than plywood made from some other wood?

Yes, Gurjan plywood is much stronger than regular (non-Gurjan) plywood, as the tree from which Gurjan is made is denser than trees of other kinds of plywood.

4. How can I tell if the Gurjan plywood I bought was made using genuine Gurjan?

To determine whether a piece received genuine Gurjan plywood, you must inspect its density (number of layers), examine the quality of glue used, evaluate the finish and smoothness of each layer of veneer and any stickers/markings on each layer.

5. Is the price of Gurjan plywood higher than that of other types of plywood?

Expect to pay more for Gurjan plywood than for other types of plywood, because Gurjan plywood is quite durable and has a longer overall service life.

6. What’s the typical thickness of Gurjan plywood for furniture construction?

Three of the common thicknesses you will find available for furniture construction include 12 mm, 16 mm and 19 mm, but it will depend on the type of furniture and how much weight is going to be applied to the finished item.

7. Is Gurjan plywood suitable to be used in wardrobes?

Gurjan plywood is suitable for use in making wardrobes and cabinets due to its strength to hold screws and its durability.

Is Gurjan Plywood Termite Proof?

Comprehensive Guide on Gurjan Face Plywood