What Type of Plywood Should Used in High Humidity?

August 9, 2025

India's climatic conditions and geography are as varied as the subcontinent itself – while some places have dry conditions, others have high humidity conditions most of the time. It doesn't matter if you live on the coast, in a city affected by the monsoons or just live in an apartment that gets minimal circulation; moisture will always remain a constant threat to internal woodwork. When the air is saturated with water vapour, the weight of water in the air will cause regular plywood panels to swell, delaminate, and eventually foster mould growth.

So, how can you build with confidence in a humid part of the world? By choosing the proper plywood, which is plywood that is specifically engineered to mitigate the effects of humidity.

This guide will examine various plywood types, with a focus on some of the high-quality plywood products available from Royale Touche Plywood, India's leading plywood brand in terms of style, strength, and wet weather performance.

Why the Right Plywood for Moisture is Important

Humidity is the plywood's silent killer. It penetrates through the plywood pores, strains the glue bonds, and fosters fungal organisms. If you are spending money on kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, or ceilings, ignorance about the correct plywood for high-humidity locations could potentially result in costly problems when you encounter the inevitable issues.

This is why it is crucial, in your new construction or renovation project, to specify humidity-proof plywood. Many manufacturers produce plywood to combat moisture successfully, but significant reductions in moisture are achieved through the use of engineered adhesives, treated cores, and advanced bonding procedures.

Most Suitable Types of Plywood for High-Humidity Applications

Boiling Waterproof Plywood (BWP) – For Areas That Encounter Constant Moisture

When your interiors are permanently exposed to high humidity levels, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, or utility spaces, Boiling Waterproof (BWP) Plywood is likely your safest option. Constructed from phenol-formaldehyde resin (PF), BWP plywood is specifically designed to resist prolonged exposure to water. Under such circumstances, it will not delaminate even after being boiled for 72 hours, nor will it structurally fail under sustained moisture and heavy rain conditions.

Applications: kitchen cabinets and doors, bathroom vanities, window frames, and any area that is expected to be constantly wet.

Royale Touche BWP Plywood is IS: 710 certified and treated with an anti-borer and anti-termite treatment, making it suitable for India’s humid regions.

Moisture Resistant Plywood (MR) – For Moderately Humid Areas

Moisture-Resistant (MR) Plywood is commonly referred to as commercial plywood and is made with urea-formaldehyde resin. While it is not waterproof, an MR plywood performs well in moderately humid situations, such as bedrooms, offices, or any indoor furniture in non-coastal areas.

While it is not as good as marine or BWP plywood, MR grade provides better resistance to ambient moisture and fungus than regular plywood.

Applications: wardrobes, study tables, office furniture, or bedroom panelling.

Royale Touche MR Plywood is precisely calibrated and glued adequately to minimise warping. It is a good balance of performance and economy for less humid cities and areas of a home that control humidity.

Marine Plywood – Designed for Moisture and More

Marine Plywood is the ultimate solution for applications that will simultaneously experience humidity and environmental factors such as rain, sea air, and temperature changes. Marine plywood is manufactured with BWP's highest-quality PF resin, waterproof bonding, and hardwood core selections, enabling it to be used in environments where environmental factors increase moisture levels.

The primary advantage of marine-grade plywood is that it retains its structural integrity when submerged in water for extended periods.

When to utilise: Terrace garden furniture, wet cladding panels, boat interiors, or balconies in coastal cities

Royale Touche Marine Plywood is rigorously tested to meet IS: 710 marine-grade plywood standards. This plywood is relied upon by architects and interior professionals to be employed in high-exposure environments.

BWR Plywood (Boiling Water Resistant) – For Seasonal Humidity

If your location is prone to seasonal humidity spikes, such as during the monsoon months, BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) Plywood offers an alternative to MR and BWP plywood. This plywood has water resistance (not waterproof) and is composed of synthetic resins, making it well-suited for areas that are occasionally impacted by moisture.

When to utilize: Kitchen shelves, bathroom doors, indoor window ledges, and cupboards.

Royale Touche BWR Plywood is composed of a hardwood core and chemically treated to resist fungus and wood boring insects. It is reliable for homes that aren’t prone to humidity all year round but need protection during the humid seasons.

Waterproof Blockboard – For Horizontal Structures in Humid Rooms

Waterproof Blockboards are often used for doors and partitions. They have a core of wooden battens sandwiched between two veneers. When manufactured to BWP or BWR standards, blockboards are ideal for use in vertical interior applications in humid environments.

Blockboards do not easily bend or sag and are relatively more dimensionally stable for tall or vertical furniture.

When to use: Bathroom doors, tall wardrobes, kitchen partitions, or room dividers. Royale Touche Waterproof Blockboards offer durability, waterproofing, and flatness, making them ideal for styling and performance in high-humidity spaces.

Calibrated Plywood – Precise Lamination Bonding in Humid Conditions

Suppose you are laminating or veneering plywood racks or surfaces in humid zones, substrate precision matters. Uneven surfaces will absorb glue inconsistently, causing bubbles to form and shortening the lifespan of the application.

Calibrated plywood is uniformly sanded to ensure consistent thickness throughout; this material will affix smoothly to laminates or decorative surfaces.

Where to apply: Designer wardrobes, modular kitchens, storage cabinets in bathrooms, or high-end laminated panels.

Royale Touche Calibrated Plywood is manufactured through a process that calibrates each side to ensure 100% uniformity in thickness. This ensures that there are zero surface variations, even in high-humidity areas.

Tips to Maximise Plywood Performance in Humid Climates

Seal all exposed edges and cut surfaces with a waterproof sealant or waterproof PU coating.
Use waterproof laminates or acrylic sheets to coat the surface.
Ventilate enclosed spaces such as wardrobes and cabinets regularly.
Elevate plywood off damp flooring with supports or plastic legs.
Always choose branded plywood with legitimate IS certifications. Avoid imitation or factory-graded plywood.

Why Royale Touche Plywood is the Best Choice for Humid Areas

Royale Touche is more than just a premium surface brand name; they are an innovative plywood manufacturer who gains a distinct advantage to produce plywood that is durable enough for high-humidity settings, thanks to their process and products containing: BWP, Marine, MR, and Calibrated plywoods that are: Manufactured from high-density hardwood

Treated for anti-fungal and anti-termite protection
Calibrated and tested to ensure correct bonding with high-end laminates
Rigorously tested for IS:303 and IS:710 standards
Available pan-India through trusted local distributors

With Royale Touche, you're not simply buying plywood; you're purchasing long-term protection, structural integrity, and long-term aesthetics in the most humid locations in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can regular plywood last in a hot, humid climate?

No, regular plywood, without moisture protection, can absorb moisture and swell or warp, or delaminate. Use BWR, BWP, or marine-grade plywood in these areas.

What is the difference between BWR plywood and BWP plywood?

BWR, or boil-water resistant or protected plywood, is designed to be water-resistant (moisture-resistant) and tolerates varying levels of moisture. BWP, or boil-waterproof plywood, is waterproof and tolerates complete levels of constant or high humidity, as well as wet conditions.

Is MR plywood suitable for the kitchen or bathroom?

No. MR plywood should not be used in high-humidity areas, such as bathrooms or kitchens. Use BWP or bathroom-grade plywood.

How long will waterproof plywood last in humid areas?

Waterproof plywood of the highest quality, such as Royale Touche BWP, can last 20–25 years or more in a humid environment if adequately cared for.

Can I put a waterproof blockboard on my bathroom door?

Yes. Waterproof blockboard with BWP-grade adhesive is suitable for bathroom doors, especially in areas with frequent water splashes or damp environments.

Best Plywood Solutions for Monsoon-Proof Home Interiors