Reasons to Use Waterproof Plywood Sheets and its Benefits
You might have been a victim of termite infestation or you would have noticed your expensive wooden furniture in the kitchen soften or become sticky with time. The chances are that either you never heard of waterproof plywood sheets or it failed to garner enough of your attention while you were getting your kitchen customised. Technology has enabled engineers to improve the material properties with time, and waterproof plywood sheets are just one of those experimentation.
Waterproof plywood should not be confused with marine plywood as both have a few similarities but are built for different applications. A BWR (Boiling Water Resistant) plywood is made of phenolic resin which binds individual layers together and thus adds the waterproofing capability to the laminate. Plywood comes with different grading based on the country in which you live. For example, in the US, codes “INT’ and “EXT’ are used for indicating interior or exterior grades denoting interior/exterior applications respectively. Marine plywood is purposely built for making boats and other marine applications.
Where Exactly Should Waterproof Plywood Sheets Be Used?
There is no de-meriting in replacing conventional plywood with these sheets. However, furniture that has a higher chance of being exposed to water should be built with waterproof plywood(example – kitchen). Furniture in your drawing room, bedroom, etc. that may not meet water can be built with conventional plywood.
What Are the Benefits of Using BWR Grade Waterproof Plywood?
- Good dimensional stability imparts it the property to retain dimensions over a long period for kitchen cabinets.
- Uniformity and good surface finish with the waterproof plywood sheets help you to make it an object of art and match the decor of the kitchen to enhance aesthetic appeal.
- It is available in all sizes and shapes in the market, and its uniform thickness throughout all the layers makes it easily machinable and builds furniture with exact dimensions.
- One of the major benefits of using BWR is that it is resistant to termite and in this way, it protects your home from termite infestation. Also, waterproof property helps the plywood stay dry all the time and does not soften or give bad odour.
- It has good impact resistance, i.e., it can withstand regular wear and tear and usually has a longer lifespan.
Tips for Enhancing Lifespan of Waterproof Plywood
- Accumulation of water droplets should be avoided on the surface even though the laminate is waterproof. After your job is done, clean the outer surface with a soft cloth.
- Avoid storing wet utensils in the cabinet directly after washing them. It is advisable to dry your utensils for some time and then stack in the storage.
- Usage of synthetic resin adhesive is recommended while installing veneer on the surface of BWR which should be made rough before the application of adhesive.
Is BWR Grade Waterproof Plywood same as Moisture Resistant Plywood?
Moisture resistant does not necessarily imply waterproof. MR grade means that the plywood can withstand some amount of moisture and humidity. A BWR grade can be employed for exterior job whereas MR grade fails miserably in such a case. BWR grades have better strength, quality and are costlier compared to MR grade plywood. Also, the bonding material used in BWR plywood is phenol formaldehyde whereas urea formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing of MR plywood.
So make sure that you keep all the above mentioned aspects in mind and choose the waterproof plywood sheets that are perfect for you. If you have time on your hand, it is best to visit a store nearby and check the touch and feel of this material before purchase it.
