WPC Board vs Plywood: A Comprehensive Comparison for Interior Design

Introduction of WPC Board Vs Plywood

Interior of the structure plays a vital role to improve the aesthetical value of your home. So it is very important that you should choose one of the best materials in the interiors.

There are various materials available in the market for the Interior designing of the home or office. It is very difficult to decide which material should we choose among the WPC Board and Plywood.

WPC Board and Plywood are one of the two common names which you have definitely hear from the interior designer when you are doing interior designing of your home.

In this article, we will go through the complete comparison between the WPC boards Vs plywood so that you can choose the best one for the interior design of your home or office.

What Is WPC Board?

The Full form of the WPC boards is Wood Plastic composites. Its name itself says its meaning that it is a composite material that is made from wood, fibre, and thermoplastic.

The WPC boards are manufactured from the grounded sawdust which is mixed and heated thoroughly by adding resins and additives in it. The proportion of the recycled plastic in the WPC board is about 75% and sawdust is about 15% and the remaining is the additives.

WPC boards have good resistance to moisture because of the presence of a high amount of plastic in them. The plastic makes it completely waterproof and does not allow water to penetrate into it.

What Is Plywood?

Plywood is basically a sheet or board which is made from fine layers of wood veneers which are attached together placing wood grains at the angle of 90 degree.

There are various types of Plywoods are available in the market such as hardwood plywood, softwood plywood, Flexible plywood, decorative plywood, etc.

WPC Board Vs Plywood: Comparison

1. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Definition

WPC Board: WPC is a highly durable and secure material used for construction purposes. It is a blend of wood fiber wood flour and thermoplastics.

The WPC boards are also prepared from inorganic fillers and plastic composites. Wood-plastic composite is also used as a strong and high-end flooring option.

Plywood: Plywood is manufactured from softwoods (such as Douglas fir, pine and redwood), hardwoods (such as ash, maple and mahogany), or a combination of both.

The timber used to make plywood is prepared by steaming or dipping in hot water. It is then peeled into thin plies of between 1-4 mm by a lathe machine.

2. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Moisture Resistant and Termite Resistant Qualities

WPC Board: WPC is a Mixture of sawdust and plastics. They are a hundred percent water-resistant and termite-proof material.

Plywood:  Pywood surface is very hard and delivers superior water-resistant qualities. They are made from tropical hardwood veneers and jointed using water-resistant adhesive. Marine ply is further treated with preservatives and protective finishes to enhance water and termite-resistant qualities.

3. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Fire Resistant and Heat Resistance

WPC Board: WPC does not burn with flames due to the presence of plastic material and special additives. WPC is a polymer-based material and does not catch fire.

Plywood: Plywood burns with flame and is more suspectable to heat.

4. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Screw Holding Capacity

WPC Board: Screw holding capacity of WPC depends on the density of the materials. For a competitive screw holding capacity, WPC boards should possess a density of 600kg/cm³.

Plywood: Due to the cross-layered arrangement of veneers, plywood possesses extremely good screw holding capacities. It may not come out from hinges easily.

5. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Eco-friendly Qualities

Plywood: Plywood veneers are from cutting trees and are not environmentally friendly. The manufacturing of plywood will result in deforestation.

WPC Board: WPC is made from wood waste, sawdust, recycled plastics, etc, and consumes industrial wastes and converts it into usable materials. WPC manufacturing does not generate any wastage nor any trees are cut in this process and is an environmental friendly material.

6. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Workability

Plywood: Plywood can be easily bent without affecting its strength. But planning and molding are not possible like Wood and WPC due to cross-layered arrangement.

WPC Board: WPC got the combined properties of plastic and wood and hence are more flexible than plywood and can be thermoformed to any shape. They can also be moulded, planned, and grooved, exactly like wood.

7. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Durability

Plywood: The durability of plywood depends on the grade which is being used and the area of application. Plywood is durable but has to be maintained properly. Some plywood grades may split or splinter in course of time.

WPC Board: WPC is an extremely durable material and is long-lasting. WPC always comes with a lifetime guarantee from major manufactures whereas plywood quality determines durability and life.

Because of the presence of a lot of plywood manufacturers, the qualities may be compromised. BWR grade- IS 303 GRADE plywood is sold to the customer in place of Marine ply in most of cases. Ensure that the materials to be purchased from the reputed manufacturer with proper test certificates.

8. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Advantages

Advantages of WPC Boards

The advantages of the WPC boards are as follows

1. The WPC boards are completely waterproof and have good resistance to termite attack.
2. The WPC boards can be molded into any shape and size as per your requirement of the design.
3. It does not undergo decay and has a good resistance to rot.
4. WPC is an eco-friendly material that does not cause any harm to the environment.
5. WPC is more durable and mostly comes with a lifetime guarantee from the various branded manufacturers.

Advantages of Plywood

The various advantages of plywood are as follows

1. Plywood offers good stability and it has enhanced properties.
2. Plywood has high impact resistance.
3. Plywood has more strength to weight ratio.
4. Plywood does not corrode and it has good chemical resistance.
5. Plywood can be easily polished or painted and it has a smooth surface.
6. Plywood has good resistance to shrinkage and warping.

9. WPC Board Vs Plywood: Disadvantages

Disadvantages of WPC Boards

There are also some disadvantages of the WPC boards which are as follows

1. The WPC Boards are a Little bit expensive as compared to other types of boards.
2. The resistance of the Wood plastic composite boards is low to extreme temperature.
3. WPC board lacks in the natural texture of wood due to which it does not give a natural wood feeling.

Disadvantages of Plywood

The various disadvantages of plywood are as follows

1. Plywood has less resistance to moisture.
2. There are chances of decay and disintegration of the plywood.
3. It is very necessary to paint the surface of the plywood otherwise it is peeled off.
4. Plywoods are not flexible to bent or mold in the desired shape.

Difference Between of WPC Board and Plywood [Table Format]

Conclusion of WPC Board Vs Plywood 

The WPC boards are one of the popular materials which are commonly used in Interior work. WPC( Wood plastic boards) are eco-friendly, durable, and long-lasting as compared to plywood.

But the WPC board does not give the natural wood experience. If you are a nature lover and want materials which will improve the natural experience of the interior then Plywood will be the best option for you.

FAQ: WPC Board vs Plywood

What is the main difference between WPC Board and Plywood?

WPC Board is made from a composite of wood fibers, thermoplastics, and additives, making it highly durable and resistant to moisture and termites. Plywood, on the other hand, is made from thin layers of wood veneers glued together, offering natural wood aesthetics and good strength-to-weight ratio.

Which material is more moisture-resistant, WPC Board or Plywood?

WPC Board is 100% waterproof due to its high plastic content. Plywood has good water-resistant qualities but is not as moisture-resistant as WPC Boards.

Is WPC Board fire-resistant?

Yes, WPC Board is fire-resistant due to the presence of plastic and special additives. Plywood is more susceptible to burning and is not fire-resistant.

Which material is more eco-friendly?

WPC Board is more eco-friendly as it is made from recycled materials like sawdust and plastic, and its production does not involve cutting down trees. Plywood production, however, contributes to deforestation.

Can WPC Board and Plywood be molded into different shapes?

WPC Board is more flexible and can be thermoformed and molded into various shapes. Plywood can be bent but is not as easily molded or planned due to its cross-layered structure.

Which material is more durable, WPC Board or Plywood?

WPC Board is extremely durable and usually comes with a lifetime guarantee. The durability of Plywood depends on its grade and quality, and it requires proper maintenance.

Is WPC Board more expensive than Plywood?

Yes, WPC Board is generally more expensive than Plywood. The cost of WPC Board ranges between $1.66 to $2.0 per square foot, while Plywood costs between $1.11 to $1.80 per square foot, depending on the grade.

Does WPC Board require painting or laminating?

No, WPC Board does not require painting or laminating as it already has a finished surface. Plywood often requires painting or laminating to enhance its appearance and protect its surface.

What are the disadvantages of WPC Board?

The main disadvantages of WPC Board are its higher cost, lower resistance to extreme temperatures, and lack of natural wood texture and feel.

What are the disadvantages of Plywood?

Plywood has less resistance to moisture compared to WPC Board, can decay or disintegrate over time, and requires painting or laminating. It is also less flexible for molding into shapes.