When you are constructing furniture for your kitchen, bathroom, or patio, one of the largest considerations is still ensuring that your plywood can resist moist conditions. Regular plywood can look quite appealing initially, but exposure to water will often be responsible for swelling, warping, and peeling; features that will damage your furniture over time. This is why homeowners and designers today turn to waterproof plywood for its robustness and durability.
But how can you be confident that the plywood you purchased is waterproof? This is where some simple tests at home come into play. Below, you will find 3 of the easiest home tests that do not require you to have professional tools such as you might purchase from us at Royale Touche Plywood.
1. The Boiling Water Test
If you want to push the limits of your plywood’s durability, then this is the best benchmark. Peel off a small piece of your plywood and submerge it in boiling water for 72 hours. Then, take it out and allow it to dry and cool naturally. Thoroughly inspect the piece – it’s waterproof, if it remains intact with no signs of blistering, bubbling, or cracking.
This test mimics extreme conditions that are similar to years in your kitchen or bathroom experience. If your plywood passes this test, then it should be strong enough for your humid or outdoor usage.
2. The Water Soak Test
If boiling is too aggressive, the second test is to soak the plywood in water for 24–48 hours. Take the plywood out and let it dry, checking for warping or thickness changes. Premium waterproof plywood, like those manufactured by Royale Touche Plywood, will hold its shape with minimal expansion. Low-quality plywood will soften, swell, or lose shape.
This test gives you a realistic perspective of how waterproof your plywood will be if it is subjected to a more regular degree of water exposure – for example a laundry room, or kitchen.
3. The Edge Seal Test
Sometimes even the quality difference can appear in the smallest details. Feeling along the edges of your plywood will tell you something about the finish of this piece’s quality. Well-manufactured waterproof plywood will have sealed and polished edges to reduce absorbing moisture. Rough or open edges are another thing to consider before food or drink spills.
After checking the edges, if you want to check the waterproofness of the face, you can lightly sprinkle some water on the top and measure how long it takes to absorb it. Slow or no absorption is a good indicator for the waterproof quality.
Extra Tip: Look for Certifications
When selecting your plywood, always check for certifications, or BWP (Boiling Waterproof Plywood) indicators. These certifications indicate the sheet meets water resistance and long-term performance standards according to an industry certification.
Testing waterproof plywood in the comfort of your home takes a few hours of testing time but will save you years of maintenance and expensive replacements. When you have gone through your tests and are happy with the outcome, invest in your plywood from reliable brands that guarantee their quality and longevity. Royale Touche manufactures waterproof plywood using the best bonding and resin technology to ensure the strength and duration of beauty of surfaces in the most humid environments.
Royale Touche! Because good furniture starts with Plywood that is never affected by moisture!
