India’s climate places significant demands on the materials used in construction and house furnishing. High levels of humidity, long periods of monsoon rains, and frequent variations in temperature cause most furniture to swell up or to warp or break down prematurely. Therefore, many homeowners have doubts about the ability of marine-grade plywood to withstand humid conditions in India.
Why Humidity Damages Ordinary Plywood
The extremely high amount of humidity in the environment will cause water to enter and saturate the layers of plywood. When plywood is exposed to moisture for a prolonged period, it will swell, delaminate, grow fungi, and ultimately weaken structurally; this process occurs much more quickly in coastal regions, areas prone to monsoonal rains, or regions with poor ventilation due to continuously damp or humid conditions.
How Marine Plywood Handles Moisture
Marine plywood is manufactured with high-quality hardwood veneers; the fabrics are glued with waterproof phenolic resin, which creates a tightly bound waterproof barrier between the layers of wood. This prevents the water from penetrating the seams of the plywood, therefore keeping the board bonded; also, when exposed to moisture, the marine-grade panels maintain their internal bonding strength for an extended period of time.
Performance Across Indian Regions
Marine-grade plywood has the same performance, whether used in coastal homes, high-humidity-area apartments, or hill stations. Marine-grade plywood maintains its shape and will not warp during seasonal changes, therefore making it an ideal material to be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility areas throughout India.
Longevity and Cost Efficiency
Marine-grade plywood is more costly to manufacture than regular plywood, but because they are so durable, they can be repaired or replaced at a lower rate than regular plywood. Regular boards can require replacement within a few short years; however, marine-grade boards have the potential to last for decades with only minimal maintenance.
See also: The Future of Home Buying: Trends and Innovations Shaping the Market
Ideal Applications of Marine Plywood in Humid Regions
Common applications of marine-grade plywood include cabinets in kitchens, vanity cabinets in bathrooms, wardrobes located against damp walls, and shelving units placed on balconies where there is frequent exposure to moisture. The laminated structure and its structural integrity make marine-grade plywood the best material for these types of applications.
Many professionals prefer to use a marine-grade plywood like Royale Touche that has been certified to assure customers of consistent quality throughout the climate to which it will be exposed.
Summary
Marine-grade plywood has been manufactured to accommodate the high humidity levels present in Indian climates. For use in interior or furniture applications, marine-grade plywood remains the most dependable material available for long life in India.
