Many customers in South Africa search for “marine plywood”. WISA birch and spruce plywood are not sold as marine plywood and are not made to BS 1088. Both are bonded with exterior-grade, weather-resistant glue, and both suit covered and humid uses. Coated and edge-sealed WISA panels extend this to exposed structural use. This page explains the difference so you can choose the right panel.
What WISA birch plywood is
- Birch plywood from WISA (UPM Plywood), made in Europe from FSC and PEFC certified forests and CE-marked with Declarations of Performance.
- Birch veneers bonded with weather-resistant glue: EN 314-2 class 3 (Exterior). Low formaldehyde emission class E1.
- Biological durability use class 2 uncoated, use class 3 coated and edge sealed (Declaration of Performance UPM007CPR, 1 January 2026).
- Thicknesses 6.5 to 50 mm. Standard sizes include 1220/1250 x 2440/2500/3000/3050/3660 mm; maximum 1525 x 3660 mm.
Where it works
- Uncoated: internal use in dry conditions and protected use in humid conditions (EN 636-1 and EN 636-2).
- Coated and edge-sealed: external structural use (EN 636-3).
- Typical uses: sheltered and humid interiors, vehicle bodies and flooring, concrete formwork, furniture.
WISA-Spruce: a lighter option for covered structural use
Spruce can replace marine plywood in many covered and humid structural uses, but not in boats or permanently wet conditions. WISA-Spruce is a strong, rigid and light plywood made from certified Nordic spruce, used for roofing, wall sheathing, flooring, packaging, vehicle flooring and joinery.
- Weather-resistant glue: EN 314-2 class 3 (Exterior). Low formaldehyde emission class E1.
- Biological durability use class 2 uncoated, use class 3 coated and edge sealed (Declaration of Performance UPM001CPR, 9 to 50 mm, 1 January 2026). The 15 to 22 mm declaration (UPM021CPR) covers uncoated use in dry and protected humid conditions only.
- Thicknesses 5 to 50 mm. Sizes include 1200/1220/1250 x 2440/2500/3000 mm and 1500/1525 x 2440/2500/3050 mm. Tongued and grooved panels are available for roof and floor decking.
- Surface grades G (premium), II and III. The grade changes the look, not the strength.
Choose spruce for roofing, sheathing and flooring where a light, strong structural panel is enough. Choose birch where you want a finer, harder surface or one of the coated products below.
Our coated WISA range
We can supply the whole WISA range to South Africa. Coated products include:
- Concrete formwork: WISA-Form Birch, WISA-Form Elephant (wood-plastic composite coating for many reuses) and WISA-Form Maxi. Pre-oiled, edge-sealed WISA-Oil is also available.
- Vehicle and industrial flooring: slip-resistant coated panels such as WISA-Hexa, WISA-Wire and WISA-Truck Plus.
- Surfaces and construction: easy-to-clean WISA-Multiwall and WISA-Scaff for scaffolding decks.
The full range is on wisa.com/products. Tell us what you need and we will confirm what suits your application.
Where you need something else
- Boats, marine and permanently wet or submerged use: WISA does not claim marine use or BS 1088 for birch or spruce. For marine applications ask a marine plywood supplier.
- Uncoated birch or spruce panels with unsealed edges outdoors have limited moisture resistance.
How to buy
Send us an enquiry and the NPP team will tell you where to buy: from one of our distributors, or directly from NPP if you are an industrial end user.
Frequently asked questions
Is WISA birch plywood waterproof?
The glue is weather resistant (EN 314-2 class 3). Uncoated, the panel is rated for covered and humid use (use class 2). Coated and edge-sealed, the Declaration of Performance covers external structural use (use class 3). It is not a marine grade.
Can I use it outdoors?
Uncoated, it is rated for dry and humid protected use. With a coating and sealed edges, the Declaration of Performance covers external structural use (EN 636-3). Uncoated panels with unsealed edges are not for exposed outdoor use.
Can I use WISA-Spruce instead of marine plywood?
In many covered or humid structural uses, yes. Uncoated spruce is rated for use class 2, and coated and edge-sealed spruce (9 to 50 mm) for external structural use, use class 3. It is not a marine grade and is not for boats or permanent wet exposure.
Is it BS 1088 marine plywood?
No. Neither WISA birch nor WISA spruce is made to BS 1088.
What sizes are available?
Birch: 6.5 to 50 mm, sizes up to 1525 x 3660 mm. Spruce: 5 to 50 mm, sizes up to 1525 x 3050 mm. Send an enquiry for what is available.
Can I buy one sheet?
Send an enquiry and we will point you to a distributor.
See also our plywood range and formwork.