“I’ll always go for WBP plywood.” The standard opening line of trade professionals ordering plywood from their trusted supplier. “WBP” has pretty much become synonymous with the best quality. But what does WBP actually mean?
The term WBP only refers to the adhesive used to bind the veneers of a plywood panel together. It means that the adhesive can withstand 72 hours in boiling water without the veneers separating. Hence the name “weather and boil proof”, or the highest international bonding class.
Over time, the term WBP has evolved from a bonding class to a commercial quality label. Architects, trade professionals and dealers all use this term to describe the quality of the plywood. Manufacturers have also picked up on this trend and have started using the WBP label, often for lower bonding classes as well. Research institution WTCB describes this trend as one of the causes of delamination of plywood in humid conditions. *
For use in a humid environment, it is best to choose a plywood with a warranty. It is the only way to be completely sure that the WBP label is a true reflection of the quality of the bonding.
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