Plywood is one of the versatile building materials used in a range of activities, from furniture making to house construction. It is a wooden panel made by stacking several thin layers of wood veneers. Plywood is used in almost all furniture like sofas, cupboards, kitchen cabinets, drawers, etc.
When you buy plywood from the shop, you may hear about different grades of plywood, such as BWR plywood, MR plywood, BWP plywood, etc. By knowing these plywood grades, you can determine the quality of plywood and its usability. Here, in this article, we have listed the most common plywood grades that are available in the market:
Grades of Plywood Available in India
The popular grades of plywood available in India are as follows :
1. Moisture-Resistant (MR) Grade Plywood
MR grade plywood means moisture-resistant plywood. It is also known as commercial plywood. In moisture-resistant plywood, urea-formaldehyde resin bonds the plies with each other. Remember that ‘moisture-resistant’ does not mean ‘waterproof’. It means that the plywood is capable of resisting humidity and moisture, and it is not resistant to water. So, this type of plywood is unfit for making furniture continuously in contact with water.
MR grade plywood is an interior grade plywood; therefore, it is suitable for indoor use, not for the exterior. It can be used in wall-mounted cabinets, kitchen shelves, partitions, wardrobes, TV tables, showcases, etc.
The thickness of moisture-resistant plywood is 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, and 25mm as per IS 303. It is less costly as compared to BWR-grade plywood. The price of such plywood approximately ranges from Rs. 40 to 100 per sq. ft.
2. Boiling Water-Resistant (BWR) Grade Plywood
BWR-grade plywood means Boiling Water-Resistant plywood. It is a waterproof plywood that can resist water better than MR plywood. BWR plywood is glued using phenol formaldehyde adhesive (phenolic resin), which is a synthetic plastic resin. This synthetic plastic resin helps make plywood waterproof. It is not 100% waterproof as compared to BWP plywood.
Boiling Water-Resistant plywood is an exterior grade plywood. Therefore, it is best suited for furniture that is likely to get wet, i.e. kitchen cabinet, lawn chairs, garden tables, etc.
As per IS 303, the thickness of BWR plywood is 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 16mm, 19mm, 25mm. BWR-grade plywood is more expensive than MR plywood. The price of this type of plywood is around Rs. 80 to 200 per sq. ft. It is the best-selling plywood grade in India.
3. Boiling Water Proof (BWP) Grade Plywood or Marine Grade Plywood
BWP-grade plywood stands for Boiling Water Proof plywood, popularly known as Marine Grade plywood. BWP plywood is made up of single select hardwood species and bonded with boiling waterproof synthetic undiluted phenol formaldehyde adhesive. It is a superior grade of plywood that is higher in quality and strength as compared to both MR and BWR plywood.
Marine plywood, or BWP-grade plywood, is most commonly used in applications where the plywood has prolonged exposure to water. It is the best choice for marine applications such as woodwork for building ships and boats. It is not suitable for making stylish furniture.
The thickness of boiling waterproof plywood is 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 16mm, 19mm, etc. as per IS code 303. The price of this type of plywood approximately ranges from Rs. 90 to 300 per sq. ft.
Interested in buying plywood? Read our Exclusive plywood buying guide:
Plywood Buying Guide: Choose the Good Quality Plywood
Other Plywood Grades
I. Flexible Plywood
Flexible plywood is commonly known as ‘flexi ply’ in India. This grade of plywood is not stiff and can be easily rolled up. Therefore, it is suitable for creating rounded shapes in furniture. This plywood grade usually comes in 8 mm thickness.
II. Fire-Retardant Plywood or FR Plywood
Fire-retardant plywood also known as Fire-rated plywood is best suited for places prone to fire risks, such as shopping complexes, public theaters, restaurant kitchens, etc. The surface of fire-retardant plywood is treated with fire-retardant chemicals during manufacturing so that it becomes better at resisting fire. It is also known as FR-grade plywood.
Conclusion
Plywood is an important building material, especially with respect to interior design. According to the application, different grades of plywood are used in home interior design. Nowadays, the two most commonly used plywood grades for home furniture are the MR plywood and waterproof BWR plywood. Choose the right grade of plywood according to your requirements and budget.
Do you know, plywood is also used in flooring? Read our detailed article to learn more:
