Plywood buying guide
MR, BWR or BWP?
Three grades, and the difference is mostly the glue, not the wood. Most swollen kitchen cabinets we see weren't bad plywood. They were the wrong grade in the wrong place.
Three grades, explained.
What each grade is made with, what it survives, and the brand we stock in it.
MR View →
Moisture Resistant · Extrablack
Bonded with urea-formaldehyde glue. Takes everyday room humidity, but the glue gives way once water gets in and stays. Made to IS 303.
BWR View →
Boiling Water Resistant · Woodnation
Bonded with phenolic (PF) glue, the dark glue line you see on the edge. Survives boiling-water tests, so steam and spills don't open it up. Made to IS 303.
BWP View →
Boiling Water Proof · Century Sainik 710
Phenolic glue and a tighter build, made to IS 303 in its top grade, BWP. Passes a longer, harsher boiling test than BWR, and is treated against termites and borers. Built for wood that stays wet.
Side by side.
| Grade | Glue | Standard | Handles water | Strength | Relative cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR | Urea-formaldehyde | IS 303 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ₹ | Dry rooms |
| BWR | Phenolic (PF) | IS 303 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ₹₹ | Kitchens, humid rooms |
| BWP | Phenolic (PF) | IS 303 | ●●●●● | ●●●●● | ₹₹₹ | Wet areas, outdoors |
Pick a room.
Tap the room you're fitting out.
What decides plywood’s rate.
We don't print rates because they move with stock and quantity. These are the five things that move them.
The grade
The phenolic glue in BWR and BWP costs more than MR's glue. You're paying for water resistance.
The core
What the inner layers are made of, and how tightly they're packed, decides strength and screw-holding.
The face
Smooth, even face veneers take laminate and polish better, and cost more.
The thickness
Thicker sheets use more wood and cost more. Ask us which thickness each job needs.
The brand and IS mark
A known name with an IS mark costs a little more, and comes with quality you can hold it to.
Grade where it's needed. Most kitchens don't need BWP throughout. BWR for the cabinets and BWP for the sink base is what we recommend.
Get today’s plywood ratesMistakes we see every week.
MR under the sink
It lasts until the first leak. Then the layers open up and the cabinet sags. The sink base gets BWP.
Thinking BWR means waterproof
BWR resists water. It isn't built to sit in it. Where water stays, use BWP.
BWP everywhere
A wardrobe doesn't need boiling-water-proof plywood. Spend on the grade where the water is.
Leaving edges open
Water gets in through the edges first. Edge-band or laminate every cut edge, whatever the grade.
One grade for the whole kitchen
Cabinets and the sink base face different water. Order them differently.
Trusting the stamp alone
A stamp is easy to print. Buy branded plywood from an authorised dealer and ask for the bill.
Questions we get asked.
Which plywood is best for a kitchen?
BWR for the cabinets and BWP for the sink base. MR doesn't belong in a kitchen.
Is BWR plywood waterproof?
No. It's water-resistant: its glue survives boiling-water tests, so steam and spills won't open it up. For wood that stays wet, choose BWP.
What's the difference between BWP and marine plywood?
In the trade people often use the two words for the same thing, but the standards differ. BWP is the top grade of IS 303, the standard for general-purpose plywood. Marine plywood is made to IS 710, a separate standard. For sink bases, vanities and balconies, BWP does the job. Our BWP is Century Sainik 710, made to IS 303; the “710” is part of its name. If your drawing asks for IS 710 by number, tell us on WhatsApp.
Is MR plywood good for wardrobes?
Yes. In a dry room MR is strong and right for the job. Go BWR only if the wall takes damp.
Do you cut plywood to size?
No. We sell full sheets. Your carpenter cuts at site.
Can I return extra sheets?
Yes. Uncut, unused sheets can be returned within 7 days, no questions asked.
Also see.
Planning a kitchen or wardrobes?
Send the rooms and what you're making. We'll reply the same day with the right grade for each and the rate.