If you are considering building a boat, pier, dock, or other structure that will need to withstand constant assaults by water or even complete immersion, then it is important that you investigate your options when it comes to plywood.
Although all plywood is designed to be durable and affordable, only marine-grade plywood is certified to withstand the type of abuse that occurs in most marine applications.
When constructing marine-grade plywood, McIlvain Lumber Dealers first selects a type of wood that is naturally water and rot resistant, such as Douglas Fir, and then treats it with immense amounts of pressure to waterproof it. This is in contrast to the chemical waterproofing agents used to treat regular plywood, as these chemicals could potentially leech into the water, making them unsuitable for marine-grade plywood.
Another contrast between marine-grade plywood and exterior-grade plywood (the hardiest type of plywood other than that which is certified for marine use) is the nature of the boards used to construct the plywood sheets. Whereas the veneers used to create exterior-grade plywood must be free of voids (holes and other defects that could compromise the integrity of the wood) only on the outermost layers, marine-grade veneers must be completely void-free for the entire thickness of the plywood board. This further contributes to the boards’ ability to resist water damage and rot.
For information on projects that require marine-grade plywood and for tips on completing those projects, contact McIlvain today. With over 200 years in the lumber industry, no other lumber wholesaler is better qualified to help meet your needs. If you’re interested in learning more about the lumber industry and getting insider tips on lumber projects, check out the selections below from the McIlvain Lumber Blog:
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