Picture this: a construction site at 7 AM. There’s dust in the air, a crew of caffeine-fueled engineers, and one big question hanging above the chaos — what kind of formwork are we using today?
Someone says plywood. Someone else rolls their eyes and says plastic. Then a third voice pipes up, “Plastic? Are you serious? That stuff’s flimsy, expensive, and… not real formwork!”
Ah, the myths. They spread faster than concrete dries.
Plastic shuttering boards — like WoWBoards — have been quietly revolutionizing construction, but misconceptions have kept many builders clinging to old habits like centring plywood and shuttering ply. So, let’s zoom out, slow down, and dissect the biggest myths about plastic shuttering panels, one by one.
Misconception 1: Plastic shuttering boards are weak.
This one’s a classic. Somewhere along the way, people decided that “plastic” equals “fragile.” Probably because our mental image of plastic involves disposable cutlery or cracked buckets.
But plastic centring material is not the same as those flimsy lunch boxes. The best plastic shuttering boards — like WoWBoards — are engineered with strength that rivals steel formwork while maintaining flexibility that plywood can only dream of.
These are best quality formwork panels made from recycled plastic panels, designed to withstand high concrete pressure. They don’t bend like a paper plate; they flex like a bow — storing and releasing force evenly without cracking.
So, no, they’re not weak. They’re just smartly strong.
Misconception 2: Plywood gives better finish than plastic.
Let’s talk about concrete finish — that smooth, satin-like surface everyone loves to brag about.
The truth? Concrete shuttering panels made from plywood often leave behind uneven textures because they absorb moisture, warp over time, and delaminate after a few uses. The result: patchwork concrete that demands endless plastering.
Meanwhile, plastic shuttering panels are waterproof and non-absorbent. Concrete doesn’t stick to them, so when you strike the formwork, the surface is already smooth — like it just got a free polish.
So if the goal is a superior finish, plastic centring sheets win every time. They don’t need coatings, oil, or prayers.
Misconception 3: Plastic shuttering boards are too expensive.
At first glance, yes — the centring ply board price or centring plywood 18 mm price might seem lower than a plastic panel’s price tag. But that’s like saying a paper cup is cheaper than a steel mug — only if you ignore how often you need to replace the paper cup.
Let’s do the math (don’t worry, no calculator needed).
- Plywood lasts about 8–10 cycles before warping or breaking.
- WoWBoards last 50+ cycles without performance loss.
That means your “expensive” plastic shuttering sheet actually costs five times less per use. The centring sheet price may look low, but the reusability math flips the equation entirely.
Plastic shuttering isn’t costly. Short-sightedness is.
Misconception 4: Plastic formwork isn’t eco-friendly.
This one’s ironic. People assume plastic = pollution. But here’s the twist: recycled plastic boards like WoWBoards are made from post-consumer and industrial plastic waste. Every sheet keeps kilos of plastic out of landfills.
Contrast that with centring plywood manufacturers, who rely on deforestation to make more sheets that get trashed after a few uses. So, which one’s the real environmental villain here?
By switching to recycled plastic sheets, you’re not increasing waste — you’re giving existing waste a second life, in a form that can be reused for years. That’s not pollution. That’s evolution.
Misconception 5: Plastic shuttering panels can’t handle heat or weather.
If construction sites had a personality, they’d be dramatic — scorching in summer, muddy during monsoons, freezing in winter.
Plywood and MDF? They panic under pressure. Moisture makes them swell. Heat makes them shrink. Cold makes them brittle.
WoWBoards? They shrug it off. Plastic centring materials are inherently waterproof and temperature-stable. Rain, humidity, or sunlight — none of it affects their shape or strength.
While waterproof centring plywood tries to imitate this with coatings and chemicals, WoWBoards simply are waterproof by nature.
Misconception 6: Plastic shuttering is only for big projects.
Another myth: plastic is for bridges and skyscrapers, not “regular” work.
In reality, plastic shuttering panels are used everywhere — from small villas and boundary walls to large infrastructure projects. Their modular design means they can be cut, bent, or joined like Lego. Whether it’s a single column pour or a full slab, they adapt effortlessly.
The builder constructing a house and the contractor working on a metro station both want the same things — speed, savings, and smooth results. Plastic formwork delivers all three.
Misconception 7: It’s difficult to work with plastic panels.
Old habits die hard. Plywood has been around for decades, and crews are used to hammering, cutting, and nailing it into submission.
But plastic centring sheets like WoWBoards aren’t complicated. They use the same carpentry tools — saws, drills, nails, tie rods. The only difference? You don’t have to handle them like glass or coat them with release oil. They’re lighter, cleaner, and far easier to carry around site.
Imagine finishing your formwork setup faster, with no splinters, no swelling, and no endless coating process. That’s not difficult. That’s delightful.
Misconception 8: Plastic shuttering panels don’t give value after reuse.
Let’s say your WoWBoards have served faithfully for dozens of cycles. Are they now waste? Not quite.
Even after their working life ends, recycled plastic panels can be re-ground and remade into new panels. That’s a closed-loop system — something plywood can never achieve. Once plywood breaks, it goes straight to the dump or the fire pit.
So, the lifecycle of a WoWBoard doesn’t end with your project. It just begins another.
The Reality: Construction Evolved
We live in a time when construction is being redefined — smarter, cleaner, more efficient. Plastic shuttering panels are not a futuristic gimmick; they’re a response to everything plywood failed to be.
- They are strong yet lightweight.
- Reusable, not disposable.
- Waterproof, not coated.
- Eco-positive, not eco-neutral.
- And most importantly, they make builders’ lives easier.
In the race between old materials and modern innovation, plastic isn’t the underdog anymore. It’s the frontrunner.
Final Thought: The WoWBoards Effect
Imagine your next project without warped plywood, swollen sheets, or splintered edges. Imagine panels that stay consistent cycle after cycle, delivering concrete that’s smooth, strong, and beautiful.
That’s the WoWBoards effect — where technology, sustainability, and practicality finally meet.
So the next time someone at your site says, “Plastic? That won’t work,” just smile and ask them to check the surface finish on your next slab.
They won’t argue after that.
Try WoWBoards, the next generation of plastic shuttering panels that redefine quality, reusability, and sustainability. Stop repairing, stop replacing — start reimagining construction.