How we supply it: Plywood is arranged through a partner plywood dealer who quotes, supplies and bills it and pays us a referral commission. Your carpenter's cutting list goes to the dealer as it is, with the grade marked per room, and the sheets arrive after the plastering and flooring dust has settled.
In one line: Plywood is a panel of thin wood veneers glued in layers with the grain of each layer at right angles to the next, which keeps it stable and stops it splitting along the grain.
Which grade in which room
| Location | Grade | Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen base units and sink cabinet | BWP or marine | 18–19 mm carcass |
| Kitchen wall units | BWR or BWP | 18 mm |
| Wardrobes on inside walls | MR | 18–19 mm carcass, 6–8 mm back |
| Wardrobes on outer or damp walls | BWR | 18–19 mm |
| Bathroom vanity | BWP or marine | 18 mm |
| Long shelves with books | Per room | 18–25 mm |
Why plywood is built in layers
Plywood is a panel of thin wood veneers glued in layers with the grain of each layer at right angles to the next, which keeps it stable and stops it splitting along the grain.
The grade names describe the glue, not the wood. The glue decides how the sheet behaves when it gets wet.
Grades and their standards
| Grade | Glue | Standard | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| MR (moisture resistant) | Urea-formaldehyde | IS 303 | Dry-room furniture |
| BWR (boiling water resistant) | Modified, more water-resistant resin | IS 303 | Semi-wet areas, wall units |
| BWP (boiling water proof) | Phenol-formaldehyde | IS 303 | Sink cabinets, vanities |
| Marine | Phenol-formaldehyde, better veneers | IS 710 | Wettest locations |
| Shuttering (film-faced) | Phenolic | IS 4990 | Concrete formwork only |
Sheets for a typical wardrobe
Typical estimate: using 8 × 4 ft sheets (32 sq ft each) and about 15–20% cutting waste; your carpenter's cutting list is the real figure.
- Wardrobe 6 ft wide, 7 ft tall, 2 ft deep with three shelves, one partition and shutters: about 144 sq ft of 18 mm
- That is about 6 sheets of 18 mm with waste
- Back panel 6 × 7 ft: 2 sheets of 6–8 mm
Checks at the plywood shop
- Look for the ISI mark with IS 303 or IS 710, the CM/L licence number, the grade and thickness stamped on the sheet.
- Measure thickness at several points with a vernier; an 18 mm sheet should be close to 18 mm everywhere.
- Look at the edges: count the plies and check for core gaps, overlaps and voids.
- Check the face veneer for splits, patches and lifting.
- For BWP, boil a small offcut for a few hours; it should not delaminate.
Storing sheets on site
- Stack sheets flat on a level platform with bearers about every 2 ft; leaning sheets bow.
- Keep them off damp floors and away from wet walls; even BWP should not lie in water.
- Seal cut edges near sinks and in bathrooms with edge banding or laminate.
Plywood mistakes
- MR ply under the kitchen sink.
- Paying for 19 mm and receiving 17 mm.
- Laminating one face only, so panels bow; use a balancing laminate.
- Leaving cut edges unsealed in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Using film-faced shuttering ply for furniture, or furniture ply for shuttering.