The Ultimate Guide on Waterproof Plywood: Types, ...

When narrowing down your options for furniture materials, you should know that there are different types of waterproof plywood to choose from. Moreover, the many types of plywood can also be used as a substitute for wood, making them a comparatively affordable option. That being said, it comes as no surprise that this material is in high demand.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of waterproof mdf. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Given its many remarkable qualities, we at Livspace use the best waterproof plywood sheets for furniture, roofs and flooring to chalk out your dream home. So, if you’re thinking of opting for waterproof ply board but are confused about the uses, their types, sizes, and price, we’re here to help.

Here is a complete rundown on the best types of plywood for furniture in India, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that are helpful to note.

What Is Waterproof Plywood?

Understanding this material can be a little confusing as there are many types of waterproof plywood with different sizes and prices in the market. To help simplify it for you, Livspace gets custom manufactured plywood sheets that are of the best quality (European grade E1).

What Are the Uses of Plywood?

Wooden veneer is glued together to make plywood sheets

As mentioned in the video, plywood sheets are actually engineered wood that’s made by glueing thin veneer sheets together, with a resin and under high pressure. This creates a thick, strong and flexible flat sheet. It’s usually preferred over solid wood, as it’s cheaper and less likely to warp or shrink over time.

This versatile material has numerous uses, both in your interiors and exteriors (sheathing). You can use waterproof laminated plywood in your partitions, cabinetry, ceilings, wardrobes and even your floors!

If you’re a fan of decor, waterproof plywood can even prove to be great for decorative elements such as wall panelling, cladding and arches. However, it’s important to note that there are different types of plywood, each with grades that suit different purposes.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Waterproof Plywood?

Advantages:

ConvenienceCan be used easily without damage to planks due to nailsDurabilityLess likely to warp or shrink and is water-resistantEconomicalCheaper than solid woodFlexibleAvailable in various sizes, densities and qualitiesEco-friendlyMinimal wastage and can be recycled

Disadvantages:

ShapeCannot be carved like woodDelicate MaterialIt may chip and splinter easilyAssessing the QualityQuality cannot be assessed by just looking at itUsageRequires add-ons like laminates, paint or polish

What Is the Price of Waterproof Plywood?

The waterproof plywood price list can vary based on the type of plywood and its thickness and quality. You might want to consider all these factors before making a purchase. In general, keep the following in mind with respect to cost of waterproof plywood:

MDF < MR < BWR < BWP

Here, MR stands for Moisture-Resistant Plywood, BWR stands for Boiling Water-Resistant Plywood and BWP stands for Boiling Waterproof Plywood.

What Are the Best Types of Plywood to Use in Your Interiors?

Just as there are many types of wood, there are also over 18 types of plywood in India. They are distinguished based on the type of wood used, its application, and its process. However, the three basic types of plywood used in interior design are—MR (moisture-resistant) ply, BWR (boiling-water-resistant) and BWP (boiling-water-proof) ply also known as marine plywood.

1. Moisture-Resistant Plywood for Humid Homes

MR can be one of the best types of plywood for furniture in common areas

Also known as commercial ply among local vendors, MR plywood sheets come under the types of plywood that are extensively used in interiors. If you are to ask which is the best plywood for furniture in India, MR plywood will top that list as it has good resistance to moisture in damp and humid conditions.

Its urea formaldehyde resin helps make it a highly water-resistant material. If you need numbers, it can withstand exposure to water at 60 °C for a period of three hours.

2. Boiling-Water-Resistant (BWR) Plywood for Kitchens and Bathrooms

BWR sheets are used in kitchen and bathrooms as they have water-resistant properties

Among the several types of waterproof plywood for furniture, BWR sheets are preferred for both interiors and exteriors. In fact, BWR plywood even tops the list when it comes to cupboard requirements in kitchens and bathrooms.

This is because it has resistance to boiling water for up to 8 hours. For your exteriors, you can use it as wall cladding or in your staircases to benefit from its water-resistant nature.

3. Marine Plywood for Durable Interiors

Among the many types of waterproof plywood for furniture, marine plywood is preferred for its durable nature and superior quality. Also known as Boiling Water Proof Plywood (BWP), Marine Ply can withstand 72 hours of exposure to boiling water. Thus, its applications are found mainly in boat building and industries where exposure to water is high.

You might not necessarily need all this proofing, but like the video mentions, such safety standards will give you peace of mind. So go ahead, install marine plywood in your kitchen and bathroom interiors if your budget permits.

4. Flexible Plywood for Versatile Designs

If you need dynamic or curved structures, use flexible plywood

As the name suggests, flexible waterproof ply board is a type of plywood that can be bent without breaking. This quality allows flexible plywood to construct unique designs and structures. And in terms of trending designs, arches are on the rise. So, if you’ve ever coveted a chic wall arch at home, now’s your chance to make one with flexible ply!

Also Read: Particle Board vs Plywood: Which Material Is Better for Your Home?

5. Soft Plywood for DIY Enthusiasts

Soft plywood shelves are easy to replace in case of damage

This type of plywood is made with douglas, fir or maple trees. It’s commonly used to make cupboard exteriors, floors, countertops, and fences around properties. Moreover, you can easily replace them in case of wear or tear.

6. Hard Plywood for Sturdy, Decorative Elements

Use hardwood plywood for places that can wear and tear easily

Compared to soft plywood, hard plywood is sturdier. Woods from trees such as red maple and mahogany make up its core material. This type of waterproof plywood is considered a premium material and thus, is on the pricier side. It’s typically used in heavy-duty places such as on floors or transportation containers.

7. Tropical Plywood: The Best Quality Plywood for Furniture in Asia

Tropical timber is mostly found in Asia and has a plethora of uses

Made with mixed hardwood species of tropical timber, tropical plywood is mostly manufactured in the Asian region. Due to its low costs, it’s mainly used in construction, as a base for flooring or furniture.

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8. Aircraft Plywood for Industrial Strength

If you want premium grade material, go for airplane plywood

Also known as airplane plywood, aircraft plywood is a type of hard plywood or thin birch plywood. It was used during WWII to construct various aircrafts, making it a durable material that matches up to premium grade qualities. 

Check for These Specifications While Picking the Best Waterproof Plywood for Interior Design

1. Plywood Thickness

Ply means layer. The thickness of the sheet is determined by the ply. More ply creates a thicker and stronger board. The minimum number of plies are 3-ply and can go up to five or more. Plywood with fewer plies are thinner and weaker, even if they’re of the same thickness.

• 3-ply: These sheets are 2 to 3 mm thick and are the most common type of plywood used in interiors
• 5-ply: This waterproof plywood sheet is the most versatile option that is 4 mm thick. This type of plywood works great for indoor and outdoor furniture and decorative boards
• Multi-ply: This plywood sheet has 7 or more layers. It is the best plywood for furniture and durable enough for permanent structures like roofing

Also Read: What Is Engineered Wood and Why It Is the Perfect Choice for You

2. Plywood Grades

Looking for the best plywood for furniture pieces? Look out for plywood types and grades. Waterproof plywood sheets often come with grades that can determine their quality and appearance. These grades and qualities also play a major role in determining plywood prices.

• A-grade: The best plywood for furniture pieces and cabinets, A-grade plywood has a smooth and sanded surface with minor defects. These qualities will reflect in the plywood prices.
• B-grade: This grade of plywood is similar to the A-grade variety, with a few knots. However, the defects can go up to 1 inch across.
• C-grade: This grade is unsanded with minor knots and defects like discolouration. They are ideal for structures where appearance is not important. These are occasionally used as laminated plywood by carpenters.
• D-grade: Similar to C-grade, D-grade plywood is unsanded and has snags that have not been repaired. Given these defects, this grade of plywood tends to be cheapest.

3. Plywood Sizes

Buying these sheets is comparatively easy. When you purchase a plywood sheet, you know exactly what size you’re getting because they are available in standard measurements. Moreover, they are pre-cut to reduce waste. The most popular and common dimensions are 4 × 8 ft.

Another popular option is 7 × 4 ft. When it comes to thickness, plywood commonly has a thickness of 18 mm. However, you can get a variety that ranges from 6 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, and 18 mm in thickness.

***Colours and finishes are subject to availability. Please check with your nearest Livspace store for more details.

How Can Livspace Help You?

• With 146 quality checks, we guarantee to use the best quality waterproof plywood for your interiors
• We offer a flat 10-year warranty*
• We are present across 40+ cities and delivered over 50,000+ happy homes

*For full scope of warranty, please visit livspace.com/in/service

Book an online consultation with Livspace today. Have any thoughts or suggestions you’d like to share with us? We’re all ears! Drop us a line at editor@livspace.com.

Disclaimer: All contents of the story are specific to the time of publication. Mentions of costs, budget, materials, finishes, and products from the Livspace catalogue can vary with reference to current rates. Talk to our designer for more details on pricing and availability.

Water-resistant laminate offers the homeowner a versatile, high-performance flooring that features both timeless looks and strong protection from water damage and moisture. You can choose from a wide variety of realistic wood and stone looks in warm, rich colors and alluring textures. It's an authentic, wood-based flooring that provides a similar appearance, sound, and feel to solid hardwood and stone, while offering advanced construction and performance.

In addition to its beautiful look and impressive wear-resistance, laminate lets you breathe easier in other ways, too. Dust and particles are easily swept or wet-mopped away. And it's GreenGuard and FloorScore certified, so it meets rigorous chemical emissions standards for improved indoor air quality.

Water-resistant laminate provides a cost-effective solution for homeowners with busy households looking for hard-surface flooring with improved protection, and it can be an ideal choice for investors looking to improve rentals or properties they look to sell with flooring that doesn't require excessive maintenance or repair.

Laminate Flooring Brings Natural Beauty to Your Home

Laminate is a true wood-based flooring made of layers of wood, laminate, and wear protection. The décor layer gives you a choice of beautiful natural looks, whether it's a warm cream and honey offered by wood or a cool gray and white that stone provides.

Wood looks for warm homes

For a wood-look laminate flooring, choose from both domestic and exotic wood looks, including oak, hickory, Brazilian acacia, and more. You'll find woods offering luscious shades of cream and honey along with deep mochas and chocolates. For a cool, airier feel, find ashes and whitewashed grays that brighten your home with a lighter touch.

Stone styles for a breezier feel

You can also select from a range of stone looks offering their own distinctive appeal. Alluring swirls of marble, deep granite-style ridging, and terrace stone-tiling looks all come in shades of gray, with accents of blue, white, and cream.

Plank sizes make a big difference

Along with the décor of your planking, its sizing can have a big effect on your home's feel. Short, narrow planks can give your home a more traditional, almost formal appeal. Wider, longer planks can open up your room and give it a more informal, open feel. 

Improved Water Resistance and Protection Against Wear and Tear

AquaSeal's laminate planking has state-of-the-art construction techniques that produce a water-resistant floor with improved protection against wear and tear. It features a unique, innovative locking technology that stops water from seeping between your planks and infiltrating the layers beneath. That protection will last for up to 24 to 72 hours, providing sufficient time for a Sunday afternoon clean-up of a weekend party.

Along with superior water protection, these planks offer additional strength and safeguarding. A clear protective layer of ultraviolet (UV)-cured lacquer infused with aluminium oxide provides the first layer of protection. It resists scratches and abrasions and fights any fading from direct sunlight so your floors can always look their best.

Beneath the wear layer are the décor layer and the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core, which give your boards the wood or stone look and the realistic coloring and graining, along with additional firmness and stability. A locking layer and a balance layer allow for easy installation and better dimensional stability.

These layers are pressed together to create a 21st-century flooring solution that combines beauty with performance—rich colors with excellent water-resistant and wear-resistant protection.

Texture and Feel Gives Laminate Flooring Even More Possibilities

To complement the wood and stone looks, choose from a range of textures for even more visual interest and appeal.

Silky smooth for a clean feel

A smooth texture makes for a lovely choice, giving you a clean, uniform look that looks great with a flat, satin, or gloss finish.

Subtle details make all the difference

Faint saw marks and light wire brushing during manufacturing give your floors a subtle texturing that adds just the right touch.

Distress signals we love

Distressed textures create a weathering effect, with heavy wire-brushed, hand-scraped, or saw-cut lines enhancing your home's appeal with an ageless rustic charm.

Graining a head start on beauty

LL Flooring offers a technique called embossed in register texturing, in which a combination of textured looks is matched with your floor's décor image to give your floor enhanced authenticity and added attraction.

Things to Consider Before Installing Laminate On Your Own

AquaSeal water-resistant laminate floors can be installed on any grade of your home and use a tight locking mechanism and edge coating that also takes some of the guesswork out of installation. But before you go installing your new laminate planks, take note of the following details.

Acclimation is key

Laminate planks are a natural, wood-based product and can expand or contract as the wood responds to changes in its environment. It's essential that, before you install laminate flooring, you allow your planks to first acclimate to your home's environment for at least 48 hours. This will let the planks respond to increases or decreases in temperature, humidity, and other factors that can affect the planks physically and avoid cupping, buckling, or other detrimental effects.

Subfloor prep

Be sure to install your flooring over a flat, dry, and clean subfloor of either concrete or wood. If your subfloor isn't flat, flooring joints can separate, break, or split. Between your subfloor and your planking, place a moisture barrier or underlayment to mitigate the risks of subfloor moisture.

Installation Considerations and Maintenance

Of course, there's more to installing laminate planking than simply locking planks into place. Make sure you have what you need before you lay your first plank. And feel free to let someone else do the heavy lifting—we recommend hiring a professional independent contractor for installation.

Tools to do the job

Edge glue and other specially-formulated adhesives, silicone backer rods, and flooring cutters all offer ways to make your job easier so you can complete it faster. And you'll find them all at LL Flooring.

Molding and baseboards complete the look

Molding and baseboards add a decorative accent as they help to cover the seams where your floors and walls meet. Choose from a wide variety of appealing baseboards and molding that match your floors, add attractive detailing, and hide imperfections.

Maintaining your laminate planking is a breeze

Because AquaSeal laminate offers both water and wear resistance, it can handle periodic cleaning to keep your floors shining like new. Use a soft-brush broom to sweep dirt and debris away as needed, then you can apply both a wet mop and jet mop when a deeper clean is needed.

A Cost-Effective Choice

Laminate offers luxurious looks, enhanced performance, and impressive wear-resistance. In fact, laminate provides a high-value flooring solution that's perfect for anyone who wants a rich natural look that won't require a massive investment.

Water-Resistant Laminate Flooring Brings All-Around Appeal

Rich natural colors, striking textures and graining, excellent water-resistant and wear-resistant protection, easy installation and maintenance—AquaSeal water-resistant laminate flooring has all this and more. Thanks to a wide range of colors, styles, and looks to choose from, you have the opportunity to enhance your home's appeal. Explore your choices and see how water-resistant laminate can give your interiors improved protection from spills and splashes along with beauty and charm. 

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