MR and BWR, which would be your ideal plywood?
In the plywood manufacturing industry, product classification become extremely necessary so that users can easily choose the product that meets their requirements. Especially, while suppliers continuously developing and introducing many new concepts, if consumers do not clearly understand the characteristics of each type of product, they can easily get confused and choose the wrong type of plywood that does not satisfy their requirement.
The two plywood products that are easily confused nowadays are MR and BWR. Although both of them have moisture resistant, their properties differ, so the fields in which they are used also vary. In today article, we will discuss about both of these product and how to optimize them in your project.
MR plywood
MR stands for “Moisture Resistance”. This product can be used in areas with light humidity but not in direct contact with water. MR plywood is usually produced from industrial wood types, using Urea Formaldehyde (UF) glue in the wood pressing process. This type of glue helps create basic durability and medium moisture resistance, suitable for indoor areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, or places not directly exposed to water.
Theoretically, MR plywood is designed to withstand the effects of normal humidity, such as environments with humid air or places with indirect water exposure. However, it cannot withstand direct contact with water for a long time. Therefore, you will often see MR plywood used in applications such as making cabinets, shelves, or types of furniture that do not experience high humidity or come into contact with water. This is an economical type of board, suitable for basic interior projects in the house, providing long-lasting value if well-maintained.
BWR plywood
BWR stands for “Boiling Water-Resistant,” which mean plywood that can withstand boiling water. This is one of the higher-end types of plywood compared to MR, specially designed to withstand harsh conditions related to humidity and water. BWR plywood is produced from higher quality wood and uses water-resistant adhesives such as Melamine or Phenol Formaldehyde. Thanks to this type of glue, BWR plywood can withstand boiling in water for up to 24 hours without damaging or peeling.
BWR plywood are an ideal choice for areas that frequently come into contact with water or high humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor structures like balconies and gardens. The superior moisture and water resistance of BWR board helps it maintain long-lasting durability even in harsh environmental conditions. Additionally, this product line has excellent termite resistance, keeping the interior undamaged over time.
Similarities and differences between MR and BWR
MR plywood and BWR plywood are both types of plywood with moisture resistance, but their tolerance to different environmental conditions varies greatly. The differences in production components, processes, and technical characteristics have created a significant distinction between these two types of products.
- Water Resistance: MR plywood is primarily designed to resist mold and the effects of mildly humid environments, but it cannot withstand direct water contact for extended periods. This means that MR is only suitable for places with moderate humidity, such as the interior of a living room or bedroom. Meanwhile, BWR plywood has superior water resistance. With the use of Melamine or Phenol Formaldehyde, BWR can withstand boiling in water for up to 40 hours without damaging or deteriorating. This makes BWR plywood suitable for humid environments or direct water contact areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces.
- Adhesive: Urea Formaldehyde (UF) adhesive used in MR plywood only provides basic moisture resistance and cannot withstand water for long periods. Meanwhile, BWR plywood uses Melamine Formaldehyde or Phenol Formaldehyde, which have excellent water resistance, allowing the plywood to withstand even harsh water conditions without severe damage
- Application: MR plywood are commonly used in interior spaces that do not have direct contact with water, such as furniture in living rooms, bedrooms, or offices. Meanwhile, BWR boards are used for applications that require water resistance and high durability, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and even outdoors.
In summary, MR plywood should only be used in basic indoor applications and not exposed to water, while BWR plywood is the best choice for high-humidity environments or frequent water exposure.