Which Formply for a semi-outdoor cupboard?

**FenceFurniture** · 15th December 2018, 11:14 AM

G'day

I'm going to make a cupboard to go on the shed deck, which means it will be exposed a bit to the elements. There is a tarp over the deck so it shouldn't get too much direct rain, but it will certainly get splashed with rebounding rain at times.

I figure the best thing to use would be formply but I don't know which would be better:
a) Filmfaced non-structural
b) Hardfaced F17 which is also a better size (1800x1200 which is the cupboard dimension)

The Hardfaced is only slightly more expensive per square metre. Which would you choose?

Also, I assume that I can slightly sand either one so that it can accept a coat or two of outdoor paint?

**Beardy** · 15th December 2018, 11:50 AM

Formply is a bitch to paint and you will need to sand the face off to get some adhesion
Unless you want the film face I would use a good quality raw ply and coat it

**FenceFurniture** · 15th December 2018, 12:30 PM

Thanks Beardy. In that case I'd forget the painting (not really necessary - just thought it might add some protection).

**Beardy** · 15th December 2018, 01:01 PM

I don’t know if it is of interest to you but there is a company in Weatherill Park that sells the 18x12 sheets F14 grade for about $40 a sheet.
I bought 30 sheets there last week

**FenceFurniture** · 15th December 2018, 02:12 PM

I couldn't remember their name (Plyco?) so I searched and turned this guy up on Gumtree for $30 per sheet:
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/st-m...7mm/1183980595

St Mary's is bit closer to me too, which helps.

**Midnight Man** · 16th December 2018, 11:37 PM

I don't know if you have your heart set on Formply specifically, or whether you're thinking of it because of moisture resistance.

For what it's worth, I researched material with which to make a small outdoor kitchen some time ago, and came across this: https://cowdroy.com.au/media/Wetline...ine_lowres.pdf

I do recall checking with one supplier, and found the 18mm stuff was around $220 per sheet, though that was some time ago. Expensive, yes. But it ought to last.

Don't know if this is any use to you or not!

**FenceFurniture** · 17th December 2018, 07:29 AM

Thanks MM but I would need around 6-8 sheets.

**rustynail** · 17th December 2018, 05:25 PM

Hard face structural is a superior product to the non structural film faced ply. The glue is A bond, veneers are continuous (no voids) and surface coating is phenolic.

**Midnight Man** · 17th December 2018, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

Thanks MM but I would need around 6-8 sheets.

Ouch! Sorry, had no idea!

**FenceFurniture** · 17th December 2018, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by rustynail

Hard face structural is a superior product to the non structural film faced ply. The glue is A bond, veneers are continuous (no voids) and surface coating is phenolic.

Thanks Ken, useful info. I dunno how it applies to the sheets I purchased today - F17, Hardface, and look good but......made in China......

Still waddya want for $40 a sheet (the $30 a sheet guy had left an ~~ESL~~ ETL person in charge while he went on holiday.....and I just gave up trying to be understood and finding out when they were actually going to be there.....)

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