Alternatives to Marine Plywood

There are many different kinds of plywood used in construction these days. One particular kind is marine plywood. Marine plywood gets its name because it originated in boat construction. It is used in boats and ships because it does not rot, even with high levels of moisture. Due to its extreme tolerance to moisture, the price of marine plywood is often higher than what you may be willing to pay. Fortunately, there are alternatives to marine plywood.

Ribbon-Grain Plywood

Ribbon-grain plywood gets its name from the unique ribbon appearance in the grain. There are vertical stripes running the length of the wood. It is also a very smooth plywood. It is so smooth that it will not need to be detailed after purchase, which may save you some extra money in the long run.

Medium-density fiberboard is a nice alternative to marine plywood because of its strength and durability. Because of the way it is made, it is not completely wood. It is actually the byproduct of softwood, which has been broken down into small fibers, then combined with a mixture of wax resin to build the strength of the wood up. The wood is formed into sheets through extremely high heat and excessive pressure.

Fiber cement board can be used for a variety of different construction purposes. From interior ceilings to exterior walls, fiber cement board is a good alternative to marine plywood. This wood can be used is a variety of different locations because it is made with cement. Like medium-density fiberboard, it is made with a combination of wood fibers and cement to create an extremely tough and durable wood board.