How is Plywood Replacing Solid Wood in Marine Industry?

How is Plywood Replacing Solid Wood in Marine Industry?

Timber has been used in shipbuilding or boat-building since many years. But in recent time, many manufacturers realized that the entire process of solid wood and maintaining it is cumbersome.

That’s when marine plywood came into the picture. The process became quicker and easier, and because of its many properties, like being resistant to water, these ships and boats could withstand long exposure to water.

Let’s understand how marine plywood differs from solid wood and why it has become so popular.

How is marine plywood made?

Marine plywood is made from water-resistant tropical hardwood. It is composed of thin sheets of these wood veneers that are arranged in perpendicular layers, making them stronger. They are cross-laminated, so the piles remain perpendicular to each other, and the panel gets additional strength in both directions.

Then the panel is bonded under high heat and extreme pressure. It is to be noted that waterproof glue is used to bond the layers when it comes to marine plywood. This makes it ideal for areas where moisture or humidity levels are higher than normal.

What are the different types of marine plywood?

The different types of marine plywood are:

1. A-A
2. B-B
3. A-B
4. High-density Overlay (HDO)
5. Medium-density Overlay (MDO)

These plywood are graded based on three factors: (i) the type of wood used for the veneer, (ii) the absence of voids, and (iii) the type of glue that was used.

The highest quality of marine plywood adheres to BS1088 — the British standard of top-quality plywood. The Lloyds of London certification gives this certification. To get the best quality marine plywood, make sure you contact a reputable dealer, as many manufacturers sell exterior plywood that is not actually made of hardwood veneers.

What is marine plywood used for?

The adhesive they use in marine plywood, and its void-free arrangement makes it an ideal choice for home interiors or exteriors with a risk of moisture or contact with water. Other areas where this plywood is used are: 

• Boat docks
• Porches and decks
• Planter boxes
• Making boats or ships
• Sailing equipment
• Gazebos
• Outdoor furniture
• Putting up a fishing platform or lake platform
• Bathroom and kitchen walls and subfloors 

The features and benefits of marine plywood

Here are the top 7 reasons why marine plywood has become so popular

1. Water-resistance

As opposed to standard plywood, where water can seep in and damage the plywood, marine plywood has the ability to retain its integrity even when exposed to water. Its layers that are joined with strong adhesive and resin prevent moisture from entering and damaging it, making it an ideal choice for any material exposed to moisture.

2. Strong and durable

This plywood is made of wood piles that are pressure-bonded with adhesives at varying angles. This provides a cross-grain throughout its structure leading to plywood that has weight-bearing and evenly-distributed strength. The usage of good quality timber and resins also makes this plywood one of the strongest in the industry.

3. Germ-resistant

Marine plywood undergoes a chemical treatment that protects it from germ build-up. This is especially important if you use this plywood for outdoor furniture or for building boats and ships. It can also resist fungal or algae infestation, termites, wood-infesting organisms, and marine borers.

4. Covers a much bigger area

For large construction projects, you need a material that requires less cutting and does not leave behind gaps or uneven ends. Since plywood panels come in large dimensions as well, it gives more square foot coverage and leads to less wastage. This inevitably saves a lot of money too.

5. Has high-quality modified resin

To make marine plywood, they use an adhesive that resists water and moisture penetration between the veneers. This synthetic plant-based resin, also known as Phenol-Formaldehyde, is applied between the panels in undiluted form. Some marine plywood also gets chemically treated with permanent preservatives and performs much better in water.

6. Lightweight and easier to shape

Even if plywood is strong and durable, it’s lightweight in nature. This makes it easier to shape for furniture-making and other purposes. Solid wood, on the other hand, can require labor-intensive processes. The best part is that it maintains its structural integrity even after you bend and shape it. This plywood also doesn’t get deformed with changes in temperature or density in the air.

7. Is more eco-friendly

This might sound surprising because marine plywood is made from wood. But due to its efficient manufacturing process, more workable sheets can be produced with less wood than solid wood panels. You can help conserve timber with this method which is the need of the hour.

Plywood is the next game-changer in the marine industry. Due to its widespread application, we’ll only be seeing more of it in different forms. If you still have any doubts about its application, get in touch with us