When it comes to concrete formwork, there’s a lot riding on one silent hero — the centring sheet. Whether you’re casting a slab, a beam, or a column, the material you choose for your centring work directly impacts the final structure’s finish, strength, and cost.
Across India, traditional centring plywood — especially 18mm sheets — has been a go-to. Builders often focus on finding the best centring sheet price or hunting for “waterproof” options that promise longer life. But is waterproof centring plywood really worth the cost? And is there a better, more sustainable alternative today?
Let’s dive deeper, not just with opinion, but with what real experts and ground-level site managers are saying.
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Centring Plywood
When you purchase a centring plywood sheet, the upfront cost seems manageable. A typical centring plywood 18mm price looks attractive enough. But the real test starts once it’s on site.
Plywood, even the so-called “waterproof” variety, struggles when exposed to:
- Prolonged moisture
- Rough handling during de-shuttering
- Heavy loads
- Repeated nailing and drilling
Within just 5-6 uses, even the best plywood sheets begin to warp, delaminate, and lose strength. For a material expected to support tonnes of wet concrete, this degradation is a massive risk.
If you’re constantly worrying about centering sheet price, calculating breakages, and factoring in replacement plywood sheets midway through a project, you’re not saving anything. You’re leaking money.
The False Promise of “Waterproof Centring Plywood”
Several centring plywood manufacturers offer “waterproof centring plywood.” In reality, waterproofing treatments only buy a little extra time. Plywood is still made of wood layers glued together — and no amount of external coating can permanently protect it from moisture or structural fatigue.
In Indian site conditions, especially in places like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Chennai, with high humidity and sudden rains, even “waterproof” centring ply struggles to perform consistently.
At the ground level, workers have one name for ageing centring ply: “khatam maal.” Useless material. No builder wants their investment to turn into “khatam maal” after just a few weeks.
Enter WoWBoards: The Plastic Shuttering Revolution
Builders today are increasingly shifting from plywood centring sheet options to recycled plastic shuttering sheets like WoWBoards.
Here’s why:
- Waterproof from within: Unlike wood-based sheets, WoWBoards are made from multi-layered recycled plastic. They are inherently waterproof — not just coated.
- High reuse value: 50+ uses easily with proper handling. Some sites have reported even higher repetitions.
- Superior concrete finish: Smooth surface, minimal need for plastering after de-shuttering.
- Impact resistant: Handles rough site conditions far better than traditional ply.
- No delamination or warping: Rain, heat, chemicals — none affect WoWBoards the way they destroy plywood.
- Eco-friendly: Made by repurposing plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or get incinerated.
In simple words, a WoWBoard isn’t just a replacement for a centring ply board. It’s a better product altogether.
Real Site Math: WoWBoards vs. Centring Ply Board
- Centring Ply Board Price (18mm): Let’s assume INR 2100 per sheet.
- Typical usage life: 5-6 repetitions
- WoWBoard 12mm or 16mm: Higher upfront cost (around 2x of plywood)
- Typical usage life: 50+ repetitions
Result:
- Cost per use of WoWBoards is dramatically lower.
- Savings in concrete finishing and de-shuttering labour.
- Lower wastage, cleaner sites.
Builders Who Switched Know the Difference
Several developers who traditionally sourced from the best centring plywood manufacturers have moved to WoWBoards for one simple reason: they could see the bigger picture.
Instead of repeatedly negotiating centring ply prices, chasing supply for replacements, and worrying about worksite delays, they now rely on a solution that’s stable, strong, and sustainable.
At sites from NBCC, ULCCS, Shapoorji, ITC and private builders in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, WoWBoards have been field-tested — not in a lab, but in the unpredictable reality of Indian construction.
Why Old Habits Must Change
If you’re still buying shuttering plywood simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it,” you’re missing a new wave in construction.
Ask yourself:
- How much are you spending over time replacing plywood?
- How much are you losing in labour delays and rework?
- How much better could your site perform with formwork that’s tough, waterproof, and sustainable?
The future of formwork doesn’t smell of damp plywood. It looks like a clean, durable WoWBoard — standing tall even after months on site.
Final Verdict: Is Waterproof Centring Plywood Worth the Cost?
Maybe — if your project is tiny and you don’t mind wastage.
But if you want:
- Lower life cycle costs
- Cleaner work sites
- Better concrete finish
- Long-term savings
- A construction process that aligns with a sustainable future
Then the answer is clear: WoWBoards are the better investment.
In a world that’s moving fast, construction too must evolve. And evolution begins by choosing smarter materials that work harder, last longer, and respect the planet.
Choose WoWBoards. Build differently. Build better.
Looking for centring sheet alternatives that actually perform? Talk to our team at WoWMaterials today.