What’s the best marine plywood alternative? Marine plywood isn’t the only material for boat making and building structures exposed to water. Although marine plywood has already proven its worth in this aspect, it is somewhat pricey. In this article, I’ll share a list of some of the best marine plywood alternatives.
What are the best marine plywood alternatives available in the market? Fiberboard is one of the most popular alternatives to marine plywood. A medium density board, or MDB, is another name for it. This material is tough and long-lasting. Wet resistance can be achieved by applying a high-quality varnish, resin, or sealant to its surface.
The following are the 9 best marine plywood alternatives:
- Fiberboard (Medium Density Board)
- Exterior Grade Plywood
- 3M Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Boards
- Birch Plywood
- Ribbon Grain Plywood
- Wax Resin Fiberboard
- Fiber Cement Board
- Thermo-Lite Board
- King StarBoard
Because of its strength and moisture resistance, marine plywood is usually expensive. Due to the high initial cost, boat builders and other construction companies may seek out a marine plywood alternative that’s just as good but costs less.
Read on to know more about the best marine plywood alternatives, including their advantages and features.
Marine Plywood Alternative Products
Since it is commonly used to construct boats, this type of material is referred to as “marine plywood.” It has high moisture resistance, so it can keep its physical properties even if it is constantly exposed to moisture. This is the main reason for its high cost.
Many alternative materials, fortunately, offer the same features and quality. Some of these alternatives are less expensive than marine plywood, while others are more expensive.
1. Fiberboard (Medium Density Board)
Fiberboard is one of the most popular alternatives. This material, sometimes referred to as “medium density board,” is extremely durable and sturdy. It is made of small softwood fibers linked together by a wax resin rather than being entirely built of wood. Fiberboard has moisture-resistant properties due to its resin component.
Wood fibers are mixed with resin wax to make fiberboard. The resulting wood product is extremely durable. The bonded wood fibers are cut into standard-sized wood sheets. After this process, high pressure and heat are applied to the wood sheets or panels. The wood panels are as strong and durable as marine plywood after this procedure.
Besides fiberboard, there are other marine plywood alternatives that are equally sturdy and long-lasting. This article will go through the different marine plywood alternatives.
2. Exterior Grade Plywood
The word “exterior” indicates that this type of plywood is suitable for outdoor usage. It can, however, be utilized for interior uses as well. Because it is intended for outdoor use, the surface of this plywood is usually not very smooth and contains visible defects.
This plywood can still be utilized for outdoor building constructions that will be permanently exposed to different weather conditions if it is coated with 100 percent waterproof glue, sealant, and high-quality varnish or paint. However, because surface defects can be seen with the naked eye, it is advisable to buy the best plywood if you plan to use it for boat building.
3. 3M Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Boards
3M has created a substitute for marine plywood. 3M Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Boards are what they’re called. It’s a lightweight, rot-resistant material that can be used in both semi-structural and structural applications.
The foam boards are strengthened with fiberglass to make them suitable for marine use. When compared to conventional plywood, this material offers weight savings ranging from 30% to 60%. For this reason, it’s one of the best marine plywood alternatives available.
These foam boards come in a variety of weights. Fifteen pounds per cubic foot is the lightest, while 28 pounds per cubic foot is the heaviest. Boards or sheets measuring 4 feet by 8 feet are also available.
These sheets are completely flat and straight. They’re simple to deal with and don’t warp easily. Chipping and warping are common problems with conventional plywood. These 3M foam boards don’t have such tendencies.
Using these reinforced polyurethane boards has certain advantages. They are rot-resistant. Because of their low moisture content, these boards also have superior adhesion compared to typical wood.
4. Birch Plywood
Birch plywood is also a cost-effective marine plywood alternative. If it will be used to create boat sections that are not completely submerged in water all of the time, it is ideal for boat construction.
This type of plywood is made from Northern European Birch trees of the highest B/BB grade timber. These trees thrive in cold regions and have very close growth rings, making them extremely sturdy and long-lasting. They’re suitable for manufacturing plywood cores and veneers. Birch plywood is an excellent marine plywood alternative due to its natural qualities.
5. Ribbon Grain Plywood
The presence of what looks to be grains in ribbon patterns on the surface of the board gives this plywood its name. A sheet of this material usually has vertical grain stripes running along the length of the wood.
This plywood has a remarkable level of smoothness. After it’s been installed, there’s no need to make any changes. Because some of the building processes are already removed, this saves a lot of time, money, and effort during construction.
Because it is strong, it is also a good alternative to marine plywood. While it is less durable than marine plywood, it is a good option because of its lower cost and higher quality. Additionally, it has the appearance of real wood, despite the fact that it is made up of wood veneers and cores. This is because of its natural wood cross-grains. This plywood’s strength is equally spread over the sheet, making it tough and long-lasting.
6. Wax Resin Fiberboard
Wax resin fiberboard is another material that can be used in place of marine plywood. Although this is not a high-density material, it can still be used in the construction of boats and other structures.
Wax resin fiberboard is made in a similar way to other types of fiberboard. It is not entirely constructed of wood. Wax resin is used to give this substance extra solidity and strength. Softwood fibers are combined with wax resin to make this board.
The interim product is cut into multiple sheets when the resin has bonded all of the wood fibers together. To even out the surfaces of these sheets, they will be exposed to high pressure and high heat. The end result is a durable, moisture-resistant wooden sheet that can be used as an alternative for marine plywood.
There is a different approach to make this type of fiberboard. Hydrogen bonding is the term for this process. Hydrogen is utilized to bond the small wood fibers together instead of resin. The boards are kept together and compressed in this process, and hydrogen bonding is introduced.
The natural lignin in the wood fibers is able to do its work of strengthening the final product thanks to this process. The cementing or reinforcing substance that binds the individual fiber cells together is lignin. As a result of this process, each finished product is distinct from the others.
7. Fiber Cement Board
Fiber cement board is another good marine plywood alternative. Wood fibers and cement are combined to create this material. The FCB, like fiberboard, is made of small wood fibers. Instead of glue or resin, cement is utilized to bond the wood fibers together.
The end result is also sturdy, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant. This material is presently used to construct external walls, ceilings, cabinets, and other structures. It is utilized in various applications, including boat building, due to its versatility.
Its lightness gives it an edge over other similar materials. FCB is extremely light when compared to solid hardwood. However, it is still a long-lasting wooden board. It’s also quite flexible and workable. It can be used to create curved surfaces, like the boat flooring or some curved portions of the boat.
FCB can be utilized as a paneling material in a variety of construction projects. It can be applied to both interior and exterior walls. It’s a wonderful alternative to marine plywood for creating boat floors, walls, and anything else that needs to be moisture-resistant because of the combination of wood and cement.
8. Thermo-Lite Board
Thermo-Lite boards are made by Thermo-Lite Australia in collaboration with Pacific Paint and Fiberglass. This material will change not only the boat-building industry but all industries that rely on plywood as their primary material.
According to the manufacturer, these boards have all of the advantages and features that builders of all kinds are searching for. They are rot-free, light, and sturdy, hence providing excellent long-term performance.
According to a Thermo-Lite executive, their boards can be used in a variety of applications. It’s ideal for DIY enthusiasts looking for the best ways to restore, remodel, or repair their boats, homes, or motorhomes.
Because these boards are comprised of non-absorbent materials, they are dimensionally stable and long-lasting. They have high-impact strength, effective bonding surfaces, and are resistant to high temperatures and contaminants.
Sheets, pre-cut parts, and kits of Therma-Lite boards are available. They come in different thicknesses, from 0.23 inches to 1.97 inches thick (6 mm to 50 mm). The sheets are 60 inches wide and 141 inches long (1,510 mm wide and 3,580 mm long). Their densities range from 19.98 to 39.95 pounds per cubic foot (320 kg per cubic meter to 640 kg per cubic meter).
9. King StarBoard
The maker of King StarBoard claims to be the first to produce marine-grade high-density polyethylene and that their plywood is the industry standard. Their boards are created using a unique method known as K-Stran. This technology is said to be the most advanced production method for making flat, continuous sheets.
Because their boards are environmentally stabilized, they claim that the boards can survive the harshest marine conditions. These boards, unlike teak, oak, or other solid wood, will not discolor or rot, according to the manufacturer. Their laminates will not tear off like other plywood laminates.
These boards are easy to work with and may be used with standard woodworking tools, according to the manufacturer. These boards are less expensive to install than fiberglass and other usual marine woods.
Certain maintenance tasks, such as refinishing and repair, are reduced because these boards are easy to clean. These boards feature a nice matte finish on both sides. To achieve exceptional flatness and consistency, they are produced from the finest polymers through the K-Stran proprietary method.
Because they won’t rot, splinter, swell, or delaminate when exposed to the harshness of ocean weather and water conditions, they are the perfect replacements for substandard marine plywood installed on boats.
How Can Ordinary Plywood Be Waterproofed?
Ordinary plywood can be made waterproof and used as a cheaper alternative to marine-grade plywood. Because all plywood, including marine plywood, is created with the same adhesive (Type A Phenolic Bond glue line – EO formaldehyde rating), you can do this. This adhesive forms a strong bond between the core and the ply veneer sheets.
The degree to which birch plywood and marine plywood can withstand moisture is determined by the quality of the glue line. Layers of oil/wax products, sealant, or water repellent varnish must be applied to the edges of the plywood board to protect and seal it.
So, if you really want to use ordinary plywood for marine applications, all you have to do is make sure it’s of good quality. Then look into the best method for waterproofing it. Purchase the necessary materials and follow the legitimate instructions for waterproofing the plywood sheet.
Conclusion – Best Marine Plywood Alternatives
So to recap, what is the best marine plywood alternative? Fiberboard, often known as medium density board or MDB, is the most common alternative to marine plywood. Fiberboard is a wonderful option because it is sturdy and long-lasting.
Its water resistance could be improved even further by applying a high-quality varnish, resin, or sealant to its surface.
The following are the 9 best marine plywood alternatives:
- Fiberboard (Medium Density Board)
- Exterior Grade Plywood
- 3M Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Boards
- Birch Plywood
- Ribbon Grain Plywood
- Wax Resin Fiberboard
- Fiber Cement Board
- Thermo-Lite Board
- King StarBoard
