Marine plywood is an essential material for boat flooring and boat construction. It’s made from durable wood veneers with few defects, allowing it to resist moisture and last longer even when used in wet environments.
Marine plywood is a highly durable material and rot-resistant, and you can use it on different construction projects where moisture is an issue. However, marine plywoods are costly, not easily available, and contain poisonous chemicals.
This blog post will give you the best marine plywood alternatives you can use for your projects.
Best Marine Plywood Alternatives
If you’re looking for a quality substitute for marine plywood that stands up to marine conditions, here are the 10 best options.
We’ll also discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each so you can decide the best alternative to plywood for outdoor use.
1. Fiber Cement Board
Fiber cement board is an excellent alternative to Marine Plywood, becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry. FCB is appropriate for those who want to build quickly and efficiently.
The material is resistant to sea salt air. It is durable and can stand up to harsh weather for decades. Fiber cement board protects curved surfaces from wind, rain, hail damage, and storms. It is moisture-resistant and not flammable.
You do not have to give up your home’s traditional appearance to reap the benefits of fiber cement siding. FCB is available in various colors. And if you can also paint it to fit your dream color.
The material is resistant to rot and insects. FCB siding has no overlapping seams, which inhibits mold and mildew from growing between the exterior and interior walls.
What We Liked Most
- Fiber cement board is durable
- It’s fireproof, insect-proof, and does not rot
- It requires little maintenance
- It saves energy and helps to insulate your home
- It’s eye-catching
What Could Be Improved
- FCB is heavier than other types of wood panels
- When cut, fiber cement board is extremely dusty
- FCB is pricier to purchase and install than other solid wood
- It has no texture, so it takes paint well
2. Weather and Boil Proof Plywood (WBP)
The weather and the Boil Proof plywood are among the most durable marine plywood substitute. Premium melamine or phenolic resin is used as glue. WBP plywood is manufactured with a Phenolic bond glue line.
WBP plywood is best suited for outdoor applications such as house construction, shelter, and concrete shuttering. WBP plywood sheets are glued with premium melamine glue. Check out here to learn more about gluing plywood together.
As a result, it is effective against high temperatures. The WPB sheets can tolerate boiling water for up to twenty hours. It is ideal for applications that will be exposed to water and moisture for an extended time.
What We Liked Most
- It is less expensive than marine plywood
- It’s waterproof
- It is free of cracks and knots
What Could Be Improved
- It’s pricier
3. MDF( Medium FiberBoard)
MDF, or Medium-Density Fibreboard, is an engineered timber material held together with resin sealer or a special wax. This marine plywood alternative appears like ordinary particleboard but is much thicker and does not have the visible “voids” of particleboard.
The beauty of this material is that. Even when the temperature and humidity change, it does not crack or warp. Due to its structure and exceptional consistency, it is relatively easy to cut or drill without producing splinters.
So, you can easily work on it with conventional woodworking tools. MDF is one of the best alternatives to marine plywood because of its low cost and amazingly smooth surface.
On top of that, it has no shavings around the edges, which indicates that it paints exceptionally well.
What We Liked Most About this marine wood substitute
- It is reasonably priced
- It accepts finishes, paints, and stains well
What Could Be Improved
- Because of the fine particles in MDF, it does not hold nails or screws well
4. Birch Plywood
When discussing the finest marine plywood alternatives, it’s imperative to include birch plywood. Derived from northern European birch trees, birch is a natural hardwood and stands out as the optimal choice for exterior-grade plywood.
It has different properties that suit typical homebuilders or woodworkers. It has an excellent light color and a super smooth texture appealing to those seeking an aesthetic appeal.
The plywood’s toughness and durability make it effortless for inexperienced carpenters to build a few masterpieces. Birch plywood is not solid hardwood. It is composed of various layers or plies of veneer.
The number of plies determines the thickness of the plywood panel. Birch plywood’s two outer layers are known as the face and back veneers, while the inner layers are known as core stock.
Birch plywood can be treated or left untreated, depending on the customer’s needs or intended use. It is also the best plywood for building cabinets and furniture.
You can also create minor structures such as dollhouses, doghouses, and children’s toys. It is widely available at low prices than other marine plywood alternatives.
What We Liked Most
- It’s aesthetically pleasing due to its smooth appearance
- It’s extremely durable
- It is readily available
- You can use it for different purposes
What Could Be Improved
- It decays quickly in warm weather
- If not properly treated, it is prone to bug infestation
5. Oriented Strand Bond
Oriented strand board (OSB) is an engineered wood material. OSB is created by slicing scrap or new wood into smaller pieces, arranging them in a particular way, and combining them with wax resin.
The particles are then pressed into unique shapes. These chips are arranged into layers, with the number of layers determining the finished product’s thickness.
OSB is similar to a plywood sheet or particleboard. One of the most significant advantages of using OSB is that it is incredibly strong. It is much more durable than conventional plywood.
That’s why it is one of the best marine plywood alternatives suitable for construction projects requiring high structural integrity.
What We Liked Most
- It’s stronger than ordinary plywood
- It’s available in different types
- It’s affordable
What Could Be Improved
- It’s challenging to clean
- It swells when exposed to moisture for extended periods
- It’s too pliable for flooring
6. Ribbon-grain plywood
This gorgeous marine Plywood alternative is named after its unique design, as it has visible grain patterns that closely mimic ribbons. When you buy ribbon grain sheets, you will notice beautiful grain stripes running the length of the real wood.
Ribbon grain plywood is super smooth. It is unnecessary to polish or paint it after installation to smoothen its surface further. It is one of the best alternatives to marine plywood due to its unmatched strength.
What We Liked Most
- It is extremely smooth, eliminating the need for painting and finishing during and after construction
- it’s a durable plywood
- Ribbon grain plywood is extremely tough and does not crack easily
- The ribbon grain plywood board is strikingly stunning
- It is a cost-effective alternative boat flooring
What Could Be Improved
- Ribbon grain wood isn’t as sturdy or as long-lasting as marine-grade plywood
7. Wax Resin Fiberboard
Wax-resin fiberboard is manufactured in the same manner as any fiberboard. It is not made of solid wood or natural wood fibers. Wax-resin fiberboard is made by combining small softwood fibers with a wax resin.
After that, the bonded wood fibers are chopped into sheets and heated under high pressure, resulting in more durable, stable, and moisture-resistant wooden sheets.
Some methods make use of hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen is used to mix these softwood fibers as a substitute for resin. Wax resin fiberboard is the best marine plywood alternative because it is strong, long-lasting, and lightweight.
What We Liked Most about This Marine Fiberboard
- It is appropriate for different construction projects, including boat building
- Reasonably priced
- Lightweight marine plywood substitute
- It is water-resistant
What Could Be Improved
- It does not have close growth rings
- It lacks natural wood cross grains
- Because of the wax and resin, it is vulnerable to heat damage
8. 3m Reinforced Polyurethane Foam Board
3M reinforced polyurethane foam. It’s a foam that has been condensed and then coated with polyurethane. Because polyurethane is an extremely durable material, the final product is sturdy, lightweight, and simple to assemble. It is lightweight and rot-resistant.
Polyurethane foam boards are the best marine plywood alternatives suitable for structural connections, semi-structural connections, and general construction projects.
Reinforced Polyurethane boards come in five densities ranging from fifteen to twenty-six pounds per cubic foot. It’s sold as sheets of four-by-eight-foot.
They are perfect foam boards you can easily handle without warping. Unlike ordinary plywood, which can flake or come loose, 3 M’s reinforced polyurethane foam is simple to shape with conventional tools and secure with standard screws.
What We Liked Most
- It’s rot-resistant
- It is made of lightweight material, hence portable
- It comes in five different densities
- It is not prone to warping
- It doesn’t chip during construction projects, unlike plywood
What Could Be Improved
- It contains polyurethane, a water-absorbing material that absorbs water and degrades over time, resulting in a loss of support and quality
- It is hazardous to the environment, particularly when burned
9. King Starboard Marine Lumber
King StarBoard is a high-density polyethylene-based industrial-grade plywood. It is less expensive and more efficient than marine plywood, making it the go-to option for many construction projects.
This alternative to marine plywood comes from the most advanced production process for enhanced flatness and uniformity, referred to as K-Stran. Both sides of King StarBoard have an excellent matte gloss finish. As a result, no polishing or laminating is required after installation.
King starboard is extremely long-lasting and stain-resistant. It’ll also save you loads of time, money, and effort because it will not rot, and its lamination will not peel off even with many with use.
What We Liked Most
- King StarBoard is reasonably priced
- It is durable and does not fade over time
- It is resistant to rot
- Its lamination does not peel, saving time and cash on re-laminating
- There is no need to polish surfaces after installation
What Could Be Improved
- It is made of plastic and will not provide you with a wood finish if that’s what you need
- When exposed to extreme temperatures, it might sag
- If it is not installed properly, it might bend
10. Thermo-lite Boards
These boards have the attributes and functionality that contractors are looking for. This alternative to marine plywood is rot-free, lightweight, and strong, with superb durable performance.
Thermo-Lite Board is for ideal DIY enthusiasts who want to rebuild, redecorate, or fix their boats, homes, or motorhomes. It is a light material that you can use for interior design, walls, and ceilings.
Thermo-Lite board king is manufactured from a material that is not absorbent. So, the substance’s stability improves, as do its strength and tolerance. It can withstand high impacts and won’t degrade in extreme temperatures.
Thermo-Lite boards may be the best option if you need to substitute or upgrade your construction materials.
What We Liked Most
- It is resistant to rot
- It is made of lightweight material, hence portable
What Could Be Improved
- It does not look like solid hardwood or natural wood
11. Exterior Plywood
This plywood is intended for outdoor use. It is moisture-resistant and built to withstand harsh conditions. You can also use it indoors, although you’ll have to polish it more to make it beautiful.
Due to its structural features such as low cost, exterior plywood is very popular in the boat building industry and outdoor building constructions.
What We Liked Most
- Cross-graining is used in exterior plywood to make it strong and long-lasting
- It has excellent dimensional stability, making it a superb choice for base material construction
- Exterior grade plywood is inexpensive and easy to obtain
- It is more environmentally friendly than solid wood because it requires less wood to manufacture
What Could Be Improved
- It has some visual flaws
- When used indoors, it needs additional smoothing
- Exterior Plywood offers little thermal insulation than solid wood
- It’s not environmentally friendly
- Poor fire resistance
How to Waterproof Plywood
Plywood is a fantastic building material as it’s long-lasting, flexible, and reasonably priced. It is susceptible to water damage when used on decking and other exterior applications.
Waterproofing plywood for exterior use can help it last longer by preventing it from cracking, splitting, and decaying. Here are the steps to take when waterproofing plywood.
The first step is to select a well-ventilated location for your project. Any sheltered area, such as a garage, could do. Begin by donning a safety mask.
Some materials you may use when waterproofing plywood sheets emit fumes or vapors you do not want to inhale. You’ll also have to sand the boards before sealing them, and you don’t need sanding dust in your delicate lungs.
Fill in any notches or rough spots, particularly on the sides, with wood filler to round out the plywood sheet. Permit the wood filler to protrude slightly above the plywood surface to create room for sanding. If needed, you can proceed by screwing into wood filler, ensuring a secure hold for your project.
Waterproof with plywood paint, either epoxy finish or polyurethane. L sand the plywood lightly with 180 grit sandpaper or higher.
Clean up any sawdust, and apply your favorite finish with a high-quality brush. Pour the finish as the manufacturer recommends if you are using epoxy finish.
(Here is a list of some of the best wood fillers for plywood edges).
Plywood Pros and Cons
Plywood is a versatile wood-based building material for constructing furniture or house. It’s a versatile and super workable construction material that stacks thin sheets of wood veneer, giving it extraordinary strength and flexibility.
Plywood is a wooden panel made by layering and gluing several light layers of wood sheets over one another. Just like anything else, it has pros and cons.
Plywood Pros
- Compared to Medium Density Fiberboard, it has significantly higher strength and is more durable
- It is available in various thicknesses
- It is made from different wood species
- It is less expensive than solid wood
- It is more resistant to water damage than MDF
- It is simple to polish or paint
- It creates an excellent smooth surface for laminate to adhere to
- It holds nails or screws securely
- You can cut it into any shape you want
- It withstands shrinking, warping, distorting, and cracking
Cons
- It costs more than Medium Density Fiberboard
- Since the layers of veneers are visible at the edges, you must seal the edges with laminate or veneer
- Since the layers of veneers are visible at the edges, you must seal the edges with laminate or veneer. It gets on the edges when in transit
- It is tricky for ordinary people to determine which ply veneer sheets were used to make the plywood
- It is more expensive than a blockboard or particleboard
Related: Marine plywood vs treated plywood
Waterproof Plywood Alternative Summary
Although plywood alternatives exist, plywood has been and still is one of the most used materials in construction projects.
It’s widely available, long-lasting, and inexpensive. However, plywood is tricky to cut and may swell if left outdoors untreated.
The best Plywood alternatives should be affordable, moisture resistant, and versatile.