Marine Ply

Marine plywood is constructed to resist rotting in a high-moisture environment. This plywood is Marine BS1088 graded and uses untreated tropical hardwood veneers that have a set level of resistance to fungal attack and are then bonded with adhesives to a high standard.

There are stringent requirements on face and core veneers, they require solid surfaces free from open defects and stipulations on the nature and frequency of knots. These high quality veneers are then bonded using a resin to meet bonding Class 3 of BS EN 314-2 Plywood, in most circumstances this would be a phenolic resin or a modified melamine-formaldehyde resin.

Importance of the finish

Where appropriate types of wood-based panels are used, for example as external cladding, infill panels or soffits, it is important that the finish applied is suitable for external use and provides the required protection to the panel. Paints and stains formulated for external use on natural timber can be used on wood-based panels.

The edges of most panel types are more porous than the panel surfaces. As a result, absorption at the edges is greater than on the face and if panels are subject to a changing humid or exterior climate, care must be taken to ensure that the edges are adequately sealed. In marine use there are specialist Sika adhesives and a variety of epoxy resins. The resins are normally applied to a minimum depth of seven coats.

Marine Ply Uses and Applications

This is a ply for more demanding high moisture environments. Our Marine Plys are compliant with BS1088 which specifies a very high quality plywood intended for use in boats and ships.
In practice Marine Ply is also used in other applications where a high performance level and long service life are required. Wherever it is used the ply edges and faces need to be primed and sealed prior to application.

Marine Ply is normally stocked in the following thicknesses:

6mm thick, sheet size 2440mm x 1220mm (approx. 8′ x 4′)
12mm thick, sheet size 2440mm x 1220mm (approx. 8′ x 4′)
18mm thick, sheet size 2440mm x 1220mm (approx. 8′ x 4′)
25mm thick, sheet size 2440mm x 1220mm (approx. 8′ x 4′)

Other Marine Ply Grades

We can also order, subject to availability, even more stringently specified marine plys which carries a Lloyd’s of London stamp. These plys are normally 2-3 times the price of the BS1088 Marine Ply.