If you’ve spent any time lurking in the timber aisle at a builders’ merchant, you’ve probably seen the term wbp plywood and wondered if it’s just another bit of jargon. In simple terms, it traditionally means ‘weather and boil-proof’ and refers to the waterproof glue used between the layers of veneer, making the sheet suitable for damp or outdoor use when properly finished.
These days, official standards refer to EN314 and EN636 classes, but lots of people still ask for wbp plywood out of habit. Whatever you call it, this type of hardwood ply is strong, stable and brilliant for jobs where ordinary interior board would quickly give up.
Here, Plum Build presents 5 ways to use wbp plywood.
Exterior cladding and garden buildings
If you’re thinking about building a shed, bike store or bin shelter, wbp plywood is a very handy option for the walls and doors. It’s tough, relatively light compared with solid timber, and available in big 2440 x 1220 mm sheets, so you can skin a wall with just one or two cuts.
Because of the moisture‑resistant glue line, properly specified sheets can be used for sheds, garages and general exterior cladding once they’re sealed and painted. You’ll often see it suggested for things such as:
– Shed walls and doors
– Garden office cladding (under a proper weatherproof finish)
– Screen walls for hiding ugly bins or oil tanks
The trick is in the finishing. Bare ply edges will soak up water like a sponge, so you want to:
– Prime and paint all faces and especially the edges
– Sit panels off the ground on treated timber rather than directly on paving or soil
– Add simple details like drip edges or trims so rain can’t sit on horizontal surfaces
Do that, and you end up with smart, modern‑looking garden buildings without the price tag of fancy exterior cladding.
Flooring, subfloors and overboarding
Another very practical use for wbp plywood is under your feet. Structural hardwood ply is often used for:
– Overboarding old floorboards before laying vinyl or laminate
– Creating a solid deck over joists in loft rooms or utility spaces
– Strengthening slightly springy floors
Because the material is strong for its thickness, an 18 mm structural sheet across joists at 400 mm centres can form part of a load‑bearing floor construction. The moisture‑resistant bond is a bonus in places like kitchens, hallways and utility rooms where you might get the odd spill or bit of condensation.
If you’re tiling a bathroom, a lot of UK tilers still like to screw down 12–18 mm ply over floorboards to stiffen everything before tiling. In those cases, wbp plywood or equivalent exterior‑bond plywood is a safer bet than standard interior grade, as it’s less likely to swell and move if humidity creeps up.
Roofing, soffits and boxing‑in outside
When you look up at a typical UK roof, there’s a good chance plywood is involved, and often it’s WBP plywood or its modern equivalent.
You can use it for:
– Flat roof decking under felt, EPDM or fibreglass
– Soffits and fascias on porches or carports
– Boxing‑in external pipework, for example soil pipes or boiler flues
The reason it works well is that it holds its shape better than many cheaper boards when humidity swings between seasons. Again, it has to be the right class of board and properly sealed, but once it’s painted or covered with roofing material, it’ll quietly sit there doing its job for years.
For flat roofs in particular, it’s worth going for a decent quality structural hardwood ply rather than the absolute cheapest sheet. Roofers need a stable base that won’t delaminate if there’s the odd leak or condensation issue, and wbp‑type glue lines are designed for exactly that sort of environment.
Built‑in furniture and storage in tricky spots
You might think wbp plywood is only for roofing and rough carpentry, but some of the nicest modern‑style furniture is built from hardwood ply with an exterior‑grade bond.
It’s especially good for:
– Utility room cabinets and worktops
– Built‑in cupboards in loft conversions
– Bench seating with storage in kitchens or dining rooms
– Shelving in slightly damp spaces, like basements with a dehumidifier
Because the core is generally stronger than MDF and less prone to sagging, you can run longer shelves without them bowing quite so dramatically. You can either paint it or clear‑finish it with varnish or oil and show off the grain.
If you like the modern plywood look, with exposed edges and visible laminations, wbp plywood is a nice way to get that style with a bit more peace of mind in humid or hard‑working rooms. Just remember that ‘weather and boil proof’ refers to the glue, not magic waterproof timber. If you use it in a utility or boot room, still seal all faces and edges so muddy boots and wet coats don’t slowly wreck it.
Garden projects, from planters to playhouses
Finally, wbp plywood comes into its own in the garden. It’s brilliant for hobby projects where you want something stronger and more durable than cheap OSB, but you’re not splashing out on marine ply.
A few very realistic uses:
– Sandpit lids and playhouse walls
– Raised bed sides and planter boxes (with a liner inside)
– Garden benches and outdoor tables that are kept under cover
– Simple signage, blackboards or notice boards for community gardens or schools
For direct soil contact or constantly wet conditions, you’d generally look at treated timber or proper marine ply instead, but for things that get rained on and then dry out, wbp plywood works well once it’s properly painted or oiled.
A good approach is to:
– Seal the panels thoroughly before assembly
– Use a decent exterior paint, stain or opaque wood finish
– Lift anything off the ground slightly on feet or battens so water can drain away
Used like that, a weekend project with wbp plywood can last years, whether it’s a kids’ shopfront in the garden or a simple bench on a covered patio.
A quick word on terminology
If you’re heading to a builders’ merchant and ask for wbp plywood, the staff will probably know what you mean, but you may also hear them talk about EN314‑2 Class 3 bonding and EN636‑3 exterior plywood. That’s essentially the modern way of specifying what wbp used to imply: a board designed to cope with exterior or humid service conditions when finished correctly.
So if you’re planning any of the projects above, from new shed walls to a better‑looking utility room, it’s worth asking specifically for exterior or Class 3 hardwood ply, even if everyone around you still calls it wbp plywood.
