The climatic considerations and materials you’ll use for making outdoor furniture can greatly affect its durability. One of the most common questions that homeowners ask when deciding on material selections is, “Can I use Moisture Resistant Plywood for outdoor furniture?” Although moisture resistant plywood may perform fairly well indoors, homeowners should use caution in determining whether moisture resistant plywood is suitable for use outdoors.
What Moisture Resistant Plywood Is Designed For
Moisture Resistant plywood was designed as a necessary indoor material that would provide protection from humidity, but in a controlled manner. Using synthetic adhesives that have moisture resistance properties to help protect moisture resistant plywood against delaminating and swelling due seasonal changes in humidity, makes moisture resistant plywood from indoor use.
Moisture-resistant plywood is not waterproof and its moisture-resistance can only protect against limited amounts of moisture. Furthermore, moisture-resistant plywood cannot withstand continuous contact with rain, sunlight and the different fluctuating temperatures of the different seasons.
Problems With the Use of Moisture Resistant Plywood Outdoors
Moisture resistant plywood can degrade relatively quickly if it comes in constant direct contact with rain and/or prolonged periods of wetness caused by rain. Moisture can penetrate through the wood veneer causing moisture resistant plywood to swell and create an environment to promote fungus growth, cracked surfaces and eventually separating the layers of moisture resistant plywood. The sunlight will weaken moisture resistant plywood by drying out the wood fibres which will cause a gradual loss of adhesive bonding and overall strength.
Because moisture resistant plywood was not designed to endure these conditions, using moisture resistant plywood as the primary material for your outdoor chairs, tables or other pieces of furniture will greatly shorten the lifespan of your furniture.
When Moisture Resistant Plywood Can Be Used Outdoors (With Certain Restrictions)
When used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines for limited outdoor application and in a well-controlled outdoor environment, moisture resistant plywood can be used as an ingredient to manufacture certain outdoor furniture pieces. For example, if you had an outdoor furniture piece explicitly made to be placed in shaded or protected areas and if your outdoor furniture piece is properly sealed, your moisture-resistant plywood piece of outdoor furniture could fulfil your requirements to be adequately functional.
There are alternatives, using some form of exterior coatings such as exterior-grade epoxy paint, laminate materials, and waterproofing products can help protect your outdoor moisture resistant plywood from being affected by moisture, but ultimately moisture-resistant plywood is not a viable material for permanent outdoor use or continuous exposure to moisture.
Whenever moisture resistant plywood is used as outdoor furniture, the furniture will require regular maintenance and inspection to monitor for moisture entry.
Best Alternatives to Moisture Resistant Plywood for Outdoor Furniture
When creating outdoor furniture, using plywood made specifically for wet environments will provide adequate strength and safety over time. Since waterproof or marine-grade plywood withstands the wide temperature range experienced outside, these types of plywood will maintain better strength than moisture resistant plywood, so it is a sensible alternative to moisture resistant plywood for exterior-type use.
Final Word
Moisture resistant plywood should not be utilized as outdoor furniture that is exposed to moisture and the elements of the weather. All moisture resistant plywood is adequate for indoor use only. If you need a piece of outdoor furniture that will provide long durability and performance, it is wise to invest in a more appropriate type of plywood such as waterproof or marine-grade plywood. Royale Touche has a very wide selection of plywood products to assist consumers in finding a material that will be the best fit for both their indoor and outdoor furniture projects.