How to Specify Film Faced Plywood for Concrete Formwork

Film faced plywood is bought on price far too often, and the cost shows up later in pour quality and panel replacement. Four specification decisions matter more than the invoice.

## 1. Film weight

Film weight is expressed in grams per square metre. A 120 g/m² film is adequate for a small number of pours in light duty work, while 180–220 g/m² films are specified where the panel will be stripped, cleaned and re-used many times. Heavier film resists abrasion from aggregate and cleaning tools, which is where most panel damage actually occurs.

## 2. Glue line

WBP (weather and boil proof) phenolic glue is the standard for formwork. It survives the moisture cycling that comes with curing concrete and washing panels down between pours. MR glue is cheaper and acceptable for interior work, but it is the wrong choice for a shuttering panel.

## 3. Edge sealing

The cut edges of a plywood panel are the entry point for water. Waterproof edge paint or a sealed edge profile dramatically extends service life, particularly on panels that are cut to a non-standard size on site.

## 4. Re-use expectation

Decide how many pours you need before you buy. A 220 g/m² brown phenolic panel with sealed edges will comfortably outlast a 120 g/m² panel in the same conditions, and the cost per pour is usually lower despite the higher unit price.

## Getting the specification right

Send us your pour cycle expectation and the panel size you cut to. We will recommend the film weight, glue type and edge treatment that matches it, and confirm the thickness tolerance your formwork design assumes.