How-To Guides
Thailand’s Rainy Season: How to Choose & Maintain Construction Plywood
Low-quality construction plywood often cannot survive this environment, leading to surface peeling, delamination, warping, and even mold.
For contractors and project managers, this means spending more money and risking project delays.The solution is not simply using any plywood, but choosing the right one — especially
Film Faced Plywood designed to perform well in Thailand construction projects under humid weather.
With the right selection, plywood can last longer, save costs, and improve efficiency.
Why Thailand’s Climate Damages Plywood
- Moisture penetration: During the rainy season, water quickly seeps into low-quality plywood, weakening glue bonds and causing delamination.
- Heat expansion: Daily temperature changes accelerate warping, reducing stability.
- Mold growth: High humidity encourages mold and fungi, shortening the lifespan of the plywood.
Even with good site management, the wrong plywood selection will increase overall project costs.
How to Choose the Right Film Faced Plywood for Thailand
When sourcing Chinese Film Faced Plywood for the Thai market, pay attention to the following key parameters:
1. Glue Type
– WBP Waterproof Glue: The only reliable choice for Thailand’s humid and rainy climate.
Plywood bonded with WBP glue can resist boiling water for hours without delamination.
– Why not MR Glue? MR glue is cheaper but only suitable for dry or indoor conditions.
In rainy outdoor construction, it may fail within days.
👉 Recommendation: Always use WBP glue plywood for Thailand construction.
2. Film Paper Weight
– Choose brown film faced plywood with a film weight of at least 180g.
– Heavier film provides better water resistance, abrasion resistance, and smoother concrete finishing.
3. Core Material & Thickness
– Core: Full core eucalyptus or poplar for better stability.
– Thickness: 18mm is the most common and reliable option in Thailand, balancing strength, durability, and reuse times.
On-Site Maintenance Tips
Even with high-quality plywood, proper care on site is essential:
Storage
- Stack off the ground with wooden blocks underneath.
- Cover with waterproof tarpaulin but keep ventilation to avoid trapped moisture.
Cleaning
- After demolding, clean concrete residue immediately with a plastic scraper.
- Rinse with clean water if needed and let dry before stacking again.
Repair
- Seal damaged edges with waterproof paint.
- Fill scratches with waterproof glue or epoxy to prevent water penetration.
Case Study: Cost Savings with the Right Choice
A high-rise project in Bangkok replaced cheap low-grade plywood (average reuse: 8 times) with premium
18mm brown film faced plywood with WBP glue. The contractor also followed proper storage and cleaning methods.
| Item | Cheap Plywood | Premium Film Faced Plywood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Reuse Times | 8 times | 12–14 times |
| Material Cost per Sheet | Lower | +15% Higher |
| Total Formwork Cost / m³ Concrete | 100% | -20% Lower |
| Project Progress | Delays due to frequent replacement | Smoother, fewer stoppages |
👉 This shows that in Thailand construction under humid weather,
investing in better plywood + correct maintenance leads to longer lifespan and significant cost reduction.
Conclusion
In Thailand’s hot and humid climate, choosing the right Film Faced Plywood is the key to controlling costs and ensuring on-time delivery.
- Glue: Always use WBP waterproof glue.
- Film: Minimum 180g brown film for durability.
- Thickness: 18mm full core plywood is the safest choice.
- Maintenance: Proper storage, cleaning, and repair.
By following these steps, plywood lifespan can increase by over 50%, bringing clear savings in overall project cost.
👉 For more details on plywood selection and market prices, visit our
wooden formwork guide.
