Walk into any Indian construction site today, and you’ll likely spot a stack of centring plywood sheets leaning against a wall—some fresh, others already swollen, fraying, or darkened with use. For decades, centring ply has been the go-to material for shuttering, but behind the surface of each sheet is a reality that’s often ignored: plywood was never built to survive the rigours of the Indian construction site.
Yes, we talk about “waterproof” centring plywood. But how waterproof is it, really? And is it doing justice to the scale, budget, and climate pressures that Indian projects face today?
Let’s break it down.
What Is “Waterproof” Centring Plywood, Anyway?
Centring plywood—also known as shuttering plywood, centring ply, or even centering sheet in different parts of the country—is used to mould concrete into slabs, beams, and columns.
In theory, waterproof shuttering ply should resist water damage when exposed to concrete slurry or rain. But in practice, what’s labelled as “waterproof” is often just BWP-grade (Boiling Water Proof) ply coated with a film—typically phenolic or melamine resin—to slow down water absorption.
Unfortunately, this film is thin. The core of most centring sheets is still wood-based—made of layers of veneers glued together. And we all know what wood does when it meets moisture repeatedly: it swells, warps, splinters, and eventually fails.
The Indian Site Reality: Rain, Rough Handling, Repeat Use
We don’t build in climate-controlled environments. We build through monsoons. We build through heatwaves. We build on tight timelines.
And on most Indian sites:
- Water from curing splashes over sheets.
- Rains turn storage yards into puddles.
- Workers reuse boards well beyond the 5–10 repetitions the manufacturer claims.
- Nails and hammers dig into the ply to make it work “just one more time.”
So yes, while centring plywood starts out waterproof, it rarely stays that way. And this has cost implications.
The Hidden Cost of “Waterproof” Shuttering Plywood
Here’s what contractors, procurement teams, and site engineers are forced to deal with:
- High wastage: Even “marine ply” marketed as shuttering-grade often fails after 6–8 uses.
- Labour inefficiency: Workers lose time adjusting warped sheets.
- Uneven concrete finishes: Bent or swollen ply leads to poor-quality de-shuttering and more post-processing.
- Frequent repurchase cycles: Sheets need to be replaced midway through large projects.
- Storage loss: Sheets left in the open degrade faster.
Let’s not even get started on the trees that were cut to make these sheets.
So, What’s the Alternative?
This is where innovation in plastic shuttering changes the game—especially in the form of recycled plastic sheets like WoWBoards.
While the construction industry has long been cautious about change, a growing number of government and private contractors are switching to plastic shuttering ply, especially in projects where timelines are tight and consistency matters.
Why Plastic Shuttering Sheets Are Built for Indian Sites
Let’s compare:
| Feature | Shuttering Plywood | WoWBoards (Recycled Plastic Sheets) |
| Waterproofing | Temporary | 100% waterproof, even with prolonged exposure |
| Lifespan | 6–10 repetitions (best case) | 50+ repetitions documented |
| Resistance to Weather | Weak under rain, heat | Withstands rain, heat, concrete, cleaning |
| Reusability | Declines fast | Maintains shape and finish |
| Finishing | Varies with sheet age | Uniform finish, smooth de-shuttering |
| Sustainability | Uses virgin wood | Made from recycled plastic waste |
| Maintenance | Needs edge sealing, drying | No sealing, just wash and reuse |
But Wait, Aren’t Recycled Plastic Boards Heavy?
WoWBoards have been engineered for the rigours of Indian sites. Yes, they are slightly heavier than standard plywood—but in return, you get decades of innovation that delivers:
- A stronger surface that doesn’t splinter.
- No delamination—no more sheets peeling apart.
- No need to oil the sheet before use.
- Zero water absorption, even in extreme humidity.
That’s a trade-off most site teams gladly accept once they start working with plastic shuttering.
A True Waterproof Sheet Isn’t Just Resistant—It’s Relentless
Waterproofing isn’t a label. It’s a performance metric.
You need a centring sheet that survives the real world:
- That doesn’t rot when stored on wet ground.
- That doesn’t warp when concrete sets overnight.
- That doesn’t splinter when pulled off a column.
- That doesn’t crumble when stored for reuse.
A sheet that performs as promised—not just in lab tests, but on actual, messy, water-logged sites.
Why It Matters More Than Ever on Indian Sites
India is building at a pace the world has never seen before. Metro lines, smart cities, bullet trains, housing for all—our demand is sky-high, and every delay hits budgets hard.
Using better materials isn’t a luxury. It’s a responsibility.
WoWBoards don’t just help you build better. They:
- Reduce overall shuttering cost per use.
- Lower the environmental footprint.
- Cut down project delays due to formwork failure.
- Improve the safety and experience of workers.
And for government tenders and green building projects, they open the door to points under IGBC and GRIHA sustainability frameworks.
Replacing Centring Plywood Isn’t a Risk. It’s a Revolution.
You might still be asking: What if my labourers aren’t used to plastic sheets?
We’ve been there.
That’s why WoWBoards comes with:
- Site support from our technical team
- Guides and videos in regional languages
- Runner spacing suggestions based on slab and load
- And full flexibility in thickness: choose 8mm, 12mm, or 16mm based on your needs.
Conclusion: Time to Make the Switch
Waterproofing isn’t about resisting a few splashes. It’s about surviving a hundred storms and still coming out whole.
If your centring plywood warps after 5 uses, that’s not waterproof. That’s a compromise.
WoWBoards are not just another plastic shuttering sheet. They are a product of purpose, science, and sustainability—a way to reduce cost, reduce waste, and raise the bar in construction.
Tired of replacing shuttering plywood every week?
Talk to our team. Try WoWBoards on your site.
Because when it rains, you shouldn’t have to worry about your shuttering.