Which is the Best Plywood for Shuttering?

June 18, 2025

Plywood for shuttering is a crucial material in construction, particularly for concrete work. Plywood for shuttering is used to create forms and frames that hold concrete in place while it cures. The plywood you choose is important for producing a strong, durable base. If you are a traditional contractor or just a DIYer, the right plywood can certainly be the difference between a successful project and an expensive flop.

In this guide, we will explain the important features of shuttering plywood and how to find the best plywood for shuttering for your concrete work. You will be able to make an informed choice so that your next concrete job is easy and durable.

What Is Shuttering Plywood?

Shuttering plywood is a particular type of plywood that is used in formwork applications in the construction of concrete structures. Plywood for shuttering is used to create the mold or frame in which concrete is poured and set. The primary function of plywood for shuttering is to hold the concrete in place while it sets, keeping it within the desired outline. Shuttering plywood is made from quality wood and designed specifically to support heavy loads and endure the moisture and weight of concrete.

Which Plywood is Best for Shuttering?

Some of the best plywood for shuttering will vary greatly based on a few of the specifics such as type of construction, moisture exposure and planned use and load bearing capacity. A few examples of plywood that could work best would be:

Marine Plywood

Marine plywood is one of the best plywood for shuttering, which is designed to perform much better in environments that are constantly or frequently wet. Using waterproof adhesives and high-quality veneers, marine plywood is less likely to delaminate, rot, or swell. Marine plywood is manufactured for heavy-duty applications, such as shuttering systems on construction sites exposed to rain or wet concrete. The main assurance of good quality marine plywood is that it's built for rigorous weather conditions as well as exposure to lots of water and still perform with engineered dimensional stability.

Boiling Waterproof Plywood

Boiling waterproof plywood is treated specifically to allow for prolonged contact with water without compromising structural integrity. It is ideal for shuttering applications that will be in direct contact with wet concrete for extended periods. Boiling waterproof plywood has less chance of warping, swelling, or fungal growth, which often can be characteristics found with basic plywood. This makes great sense for formwork, where repeated wetting and drying can be expected while the formwork is in use during construction.

Fire Retardant Plywood

Fire retardant plywood uses a chemical-based treatment to reduce flammability. It provides performance and additional safety around construction sites. Fire retardant plywood provides moderate water resistance and is designed for situations when there is some temporary fire-safety issue on the project, but this does not come at the expense of essential strength and durability. Fire retardant plywood would work at shuttering applications in projects where a building code is required for fire safety approval that states temporary formwork will not be a fire hazard, but is still providing adequate support.

How Is Shuttering Plywood Different Than Regular Plywood?

Shuttering plywood is really quite different from regular plywood in its purpose and the way that it is manufactured. Regular plywood is usually for general purposes, such as furniture, interior paneling, or decorations, and may not have the durability or moisture resistance as plywood for shuttering. Plywood made for shuttering is manufactured differently, as it is made to use in construction. It is designed to handle extreme conditions such as moisture, weight, and pressure which occur during the pouring of concrete. The best plywood for shuttering is thicker, heavier, and stronger than the types of plywood referred to as regular plywood. This means that plywood for shuttering is up to the extreme conditions of formwork.

Is Shuttering Plywood Waterproof?

One of the most important qualities of the best plywood for shuttering, is to have a degree of water-resistant qualities. Shuttering plywood is not completely waterproof but is intended to give a degree of moisture and water-resistant qualities. High-quality plywood for shuttering, is generally either marine plywood or phenolic plywood and has undergone treatments to withstand water used in wet concrete.

However, it's important to note that plywood for shuttering doesn't mean it is waterproof. To get the best performance, shuttering plywood should be fully dried between uses and should be stored in a dry place if it is not to be used.

Can Shuttering Plywood be used for Furniture?

Shuttering plywood is manufactured to meet the demands of a construction project, and is rarely used for residential furniture. The surface finish of plywood manufactured for shuttering is generally more coarse and unfinished in comparison to standard furniture plywood. Plywood for shuttering is also generally heavier and of a very raw and unfinished nature, making it of little use for furniture of a high-quality finish.

However, there may be instances where you could use plywood for shuttering to produce durable furniture not too concerned about its visual effects. For furniture that you are now going to modify for an industrial kind of look, or for outdoor furniture where some resistance to moisture is more important than aesthetics, plywood for shuttering could be used for furniture because of its durability.

What are the advantages of using Shuttering Plywood?

In the construction industry, particular formwork applications, shutter plywood has many advantages, including:

Strength and Durability

Shuttering plywood is manufactured to bear the weight and pressure of freshly poured concrete, to ensure that it keeps its design during the setting period. Shuttering plywood is an important material in foundation work, columns, walls and slabs.

Moisture will not affect its strength

Shuttering plywood is treated to resist moisture from, and the effects of wet concrete. This allows the plywood to remain intact and strong even if the wood is continuously wet.

Value

Best plywood for shuttering is achieved by taking good care of their plywood, builders are able to use it many times, which assists in lowering their overall expenses in materials.

Convenient to handle

Shuttering plywood is typically lighter to handle than most other types of construction materials, which makes it easy to handle, cut and place. The convenience of handling means the construction process can proceed more swiftly and the labor, thus reducing overall material and labor costs.

Environmentally preferred

Many of the good quality plywood for shuttering is manufactured using practices that make it environmentally sound by using eco-friendly materials and an environmentally sustainable process.

Reusability

Shuttering plywood can be reused several times, in contrast to many other construction materials, making it a sustainable and economical choice in their use for large construction projects.

Conclusion

Choosing plywood to use as shuttering is crucial to ensuring the structural integrity of your concrete pours, but there are many choices available. There are many options to choose from, such as marine plywood, phenolic plywood, commercial plywood or other specific types of plywood, that will carry the same designation as shuttering plywood. Plywood has many features including strength, moisture resistance and reusability, that make it the preferred wood in the building industry.

When obtaining plywood to use as shuttering, remember to choose the best quality plywood for shuttering available for your projects to succeed. If you would like to use the best quality plywood, visit Royale Touche, which is a manufacturer of premium plywoods that is well-known for being very strong, durable and sustainable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shuttering plywood?

Shuttering plywood is plywood used to hold together the formwork of a concrete structure. It is the material that holds the concrete in place while it is setting. Shuttering plywood is treated to withstand moisture, pressure and heavy loads.

What is the difference between shuttering plywood and regular plywood?

Shuttering plywood is built to withstand a significant amount of pressure from the concrete it is holding and it is built to withstand large amounts of moisture from having poured concrete on it. The best plywood for shuttering is thicker and stronger compared to regular plywood.

Is shuttering plywood waterproof?

Shuttering plywood is considered to be water-resistant, and not waterproof. Plywood for shuttering is designed to be exposed to wet concrete, and should be dried and stored correctly to maintain its structure.

Can shuttering plywood be used for furniture?

Shuttering plywood is not used for furniture construction due to its being a very rough cut and heavy. However, it may be used for low-end industrial furniture or outdoor furniture, or places where durability and moisture are priorities.

What are the benefits of using shuttering plywood?

Shuttering plywood's benefits include strength, durability, moisture resistance, low-cost, easy to handle and reusability, making it ideal for construction formwork.