Birch ply

[cornish wood burner]

I'm after some exterior ply for a small trailer floor. I've been offered cross grain birch ply. Anyone know how that compares to normal WPP which seems to be very poor now.

[Wendelspanswick]

The Woodpile in Highbridge sells 8x4' sheets of 18mm Phenolic ply for £35.

[Woodworks]

The Woodpile in Highbridge sells 8x4' sheets of 18mm Phenolic ply for £35.

 

Yep Phenolic is the usual stuff for trailer floors but think it's just birch with a plastic coating. All the birch ply I have used is streets ahead of the usual WBP available at builders merchants but that is reflected in the price. You can still get quality WBP from more specialist ply suppliers. Just realised where you are Cornish so try New World Timbers in Exeter as I think they deliver throughout the SW

 

http://www.newworldtimber.com/products/

Edited July 10, 2016 by Woodworks

[cornish wood burner]

I would certainly prefer phenolic but I have only seen thinner around this area. l will give new world a ring tomorrow. Thanks guys.

[openspaceman]

I'm after some exterior ply for a small trailer floor. I've been offered cross grain birch ply. Anyone know how that compares to normal WPP which seems to be very poor now.

 

WBP just refers to the type of glue and it often has a tropical hardwood face, imo once the weather gets into the edge laminations it fails. As has been said trailer floors are oftem impregnated with phenolic compounds under pressure,buffaloboard is one but indespension sell one too.

 

We used ordinary structural 18mm ply for a beavertail body, well sealed with floor paint, a transit broke through it after only 2 years.

Edited July 10, 2016 by openspaceman
wrong animal!

[cornish wood burner]

WBP just refers to the type of glue and it often has a tropical hardwood face, imo once the weather gets into the edge laminations it fails. As has been said trailer floors are oftem impregnated with phenolic compounds under pressure,buffaloboard is one but indespension sell one too.

 

We used ordinary structural 18mm ply for a beavertail body, well sealed with floor paint, a transit broke through it after only 2 years.

 

My last WBP ply floor lasted about 20 years. However we use a lot of ply at work and we find it often delaminates and also has gaps in the centre. Not made like it used to be. Perhaps the glue had some environmental or H&S issue or its just made too cheaply now.

[Woodworks]

My last WBP ply floor lasted about 20 years. However we use a lot of ply at work and we find it often delaminates and also has gaps in the centre. Not made like it used to be. Perhaps the glue had some environmental or H&S issue or its just made too cheaply now.

 

Think I read somewhere that WBP is no longer a recognised standard so quality can be variable. WBP was water boil proof but this just referred to glue used. Marine meant glues as above but also rot resistant woods as well. Think it's all in BS standards.

[cornish wood burner]

Think I read somewhere that WBP is no longer a recognised standard so quality can be variable. WBP was water boil proof but this just referred to glue used. Marine meant glues as above but also rot resistant woods as well. Think it's all in BS standards.

Just read that as well.

Similar topic on the screwfix forum and it seems we are not alone in finding rubbish ply. If I can get that phenolic ply at a reasonable price then it should be worth a go.

Thanks to all for the info