The grades
| Grade | Full name | Use | Indicative rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWP | Boiling Water Proof | Kitchens, bathrooms, external walls | ₹120 – 175 / sq ft |
| BWR | Boiling Water Resistant | Semi-wet areas | ₹90 – 130 / sq ft |
| MR | Moisture Resistant | Dry bedrooms and living areas only | ₹60 – 95 / sq ft |
| Marine | Marine grade | Coastal external, balconies | ₹150 – 220 / sq ft |
| HDHMR | High Density High Moisture Resistance | Alternative carcass material | ₹90 – 120 / sq ft |
Six on-site checks
- Edge inspection. Look at the cut edge. Core veneers should be even with no gaps or voids. Visible gaps mean filler and weakness.
- Flatness. Stand the sheet on edge and sight along it. Warped sheets never flatten out in a carcass.
- Weight. Lift it. Denser plywood uses better timber and more glue; unusually light sheets are a bad sign.
- Tap test. Tap across the face. A consistent solid sound is good; hollow patches indicate voids.
- Grade stamp. ISI mark and grade should be printed on the sheet — and should match your BOQ.
- Nail test. Drive a nail near the edge. Good plywood grips; poor plywood splits along the layers.
Check the plywood on the day it arrives, before anything is cut. After cutting it is your plywood, whatever grade it turned out to be.
Greenbox site principle
Design and build under one accountable roof
Where each grade belongs
- Kitchen, under sink, bathroom vanities: BWP, without exception.
- Any joinery on an external wall: BWP or marine grade.
- Bedroom wardrobes in a dry inland climate: MR is acceptable.
- Bedroom wardrobes in Mumbai: BWP is worth the difference.
- Loft and overhead storage: BWP where near a bathroom or external wall.
Selected work by Greenbox Design Studio. Tap any image to enlarge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between BWP and MR plywood?+
BWP (boiling-water-proof) uses phenolic resin and withstands prolonged moisture, suiting kitchens and bathrooms at ₹120–₹175 per sq ft. MR (moisture-resistant) only resists humidity and is suitable for dry areas at ₹60–₹95 per sq ft. Using MR in a kitchen is the most common cause of swollen joinery.
How can I tell if plywood is good quality?+
Inspect the cut edge for even core veneers with no gaps, check the sheet is flat, lift it to gauge density, tap across the face listening for hollow spots, and verify the ISI grade stamp matches your BOQ. All six checks take under a minute per sheet.
Is BWP plywood worth the extra cost?+
In kitchens, bathrooms and any joinery on an external wall, yes — particularly in humid coastal cities. It adds roughly 15–25% to the carcass line and is the one component that cannot be upgraded later without dismantling the joinery.