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Phenolic Plywood
To make mesh plywood, a phenolic resin-impregnated film is hard-pressed on both surfaces of the plies under intense temperature and pressure; smooth one veneer and the textured pattern is intensely pressed onto the other. Typically, it is the resultant imprinted wire mesh pattern that enhances the slip-resistance characteristic of the mesh plywood.
Generally, the rough-surfaced plywood mesh is a multi-purpose and heavy-duty sheet material for applications that need a reliable, durable and anti-slip surface.
What is phenolic plywood?
Phenolic plywood is a sheet material made of birch or eucalyptus plywood overlaid with multilayer phenol film consisting of a rough wire mesh pattern. Phenolic ply offers wear resistance up to ten times compared to the standard surface, thanks to how the boards are engineered.
All phenolic plywood sheets are edge-sealed using acrylic paint to reduce moisture penetration. These film-veneered plywood mesh boards have enhanced resistance to insects, fungi, moisture penetration and chemicals. Their surfaces are also smooth and easy to maintain.
Though you can get phenolic plywood from China, Russian or Latvian phenolic birch plywood is always the best quality. This is because the latter comes with a high quality birch core while the former is usually a combo of hardwood and softwood, such as poplar or eucalyptus.
Types of phenolic plywood sheets
Phenolic plywood comes in a few main surface options. The most common are classic mesh phenolic plywood sheets and modern hexagon pattern boards. Both have an anti-slip face with a textured film on one side and a smooth phenol ply surface on the reverse, so you can choose which face you want on show.
On this page, you will find phenolic hardwood plywood made with birch, eucalyptus or mixed hardwood cores. Standard phenolic plywood 8×4 sheets sit alongside larger 10×5 options for bigger vehicle floors and platforms. The mesh pattern gives a fine wire grid that is easy to sweep and clean, while the hexagon pattern phenolic plywood offers a bold, high grip surface that works well on ramps, trailers and busy walkways.
In day to day site talk, many people use the name Buffalo board for any mesh faced phenolic plywood. Buffalo Board is also a specific birch core Buffalo phenolic board brand that we keep in stock, alongside other phenolic ply options that give similar performance at different price points.
Applications for phenolic plywood
So, where is the phenolic plywood used? Plywood mesh is pretty versatile and can be used in various parts, mainly in applications that need rough surfaces that are highly resistant to wear and tear. As such, mesh plywood is preferred for transport applications such as trailer and truck flooring, ship decking, van flooring, train flooring, bus flooring, horseboxes, flight cases etc.
Other applications include joinery, formwork, furniture, shopfitting, interior design, industrial floors, and storage racks.
Benefits of phenolic plywood
The myriad benefits of phenolic panel plywood make it an ideal sheet material for your project. Here are some advantages:
- The boards are light and dimensionally stable.
- Effortless to clean and reuse.
- Environmentally friendly.
- Tough and rigid.
- The ply panels can be machined and fastened easily by the use of conventional woodworking tools and fasteners.
- Resistant to extreme weather.
- Able to withstand external impacts and bruises.
Conclusion
If you are searching for sheet material to use in areas that receive a lot of traffic, you should opt for phenolic plywood. These panels will not only give a good grip when walking on them, but they also withstand impacts directed on them and therefore can last for a long time. Besides, they are easy to maintain, and that saves your time.
FAQ
Where to buy phenolic plywood?
Buy phenolic plywood online from Sheet Materials Wholesale. We keep UK stock, offer fast nationwide delivery, next day delivery on many sizes and simple bulk or pallet deals for trade orders. You can order phenolic plywood 8x4, phenolic hardwood plywood and Buffalo board straight to site with quick checkout and a fast quote option.
How to fix phenolic plywood?
Phenolic plywood is easy to fix with standard screws or bolts. Pre-drill the holes, use good quality fixings and support the sheet so it stays level. Both mesh and hexagon phenol ply faces take fixings and sit well in the core of the plywood when the edges are sealed.
How to cut phenolic plywood?
You can cut phenolic plywood with a fine toothed circular saw or track saw. Keep the phenolic film face up, use steady feed pressure and support the sheet to avoid chipping. Both phenolic plywood 8x4 and Buffalo phenolic board cut cleanly with basic woodworking tools.
What is the price of phenolic plywood?
Phenolic plywood prices start from about £27.91 for smaller sheet options. Larger phenolic plywood 8x4 and premium phenolic hardwood plywood will cost more. For current prices, bulk rates or a fast trade quote, check the Sheet Materials Wholesale website.
Phenolic Plywood Range
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6mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
6mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 6mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£25.87£31.04 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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75-149 150+ £31.13£37.36 £29.52£35.42 
6.5mm Eucalyptus Core Black Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
6.5mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 6.5mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
Original price was: £34.64 Ex VAT (£41.57 Inc VAT).£32.09£38.51Current price is: £32.09 Ex VAT (£38.51 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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50-99 100+ £32.16£38.59 £29.79£35.75 
9mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
9mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 9mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
Original price was: £37.18 Ex VAT (£44.62 Inc VAT).£33.85£40.62Current price is: £33.85 Ex VAT (£40.62 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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50-99 100+ £33.98£40.78 £32.19£38.63 
9mm Eucalyptus Core Koala Grey Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′)
9mm phenolic resin grey-impregnated film Koala hardwood board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature. A grey textured pattern is placed on the face of the plywood, and the smooth back surface is black in colour.
£35.77£42.92 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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50-99 100+ £27.79£33.35 £27.22£32.66 
9mm Eucalyptus Core Black Mesh Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
9mm Anti-Slip mesh Pattern Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film finish on the other side. 9mm mesh phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture.
£28.65£34.38 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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50-99 100+ £36.06£43.27 £35.32£42.38 
9mm Eucalyptus Core Black Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
9mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 9mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£37.18£44.62 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
12mm Eucalyptus/Poplar Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
12mm Anti-Slip Mesh Eucalyptus and Poplar Core mix Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. These sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture after sealing the edges and back of the board.
Original price was: £29.31 Ex VAT (£35.17 Inc VAT).£27.99£33.59Current price is: £27.99 Ex VAT (£33.59 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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25-49 50+ £89.42£107.30 £86.89£104.27 
12mm Birch Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′)
12mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured pattern is pressed onto the other.
£91.95£110.34 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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37-74 75+ £43.54£52.25 £42.65£51.18 
12mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′)
12mm phenolic Duroform Mesh+ board is a great alternative to traditional birch buffalo boards. Pressed on both surfaces with a multi-laminated core and Aica, also known as Dynea, overlay, you can expect a high performance from this board.
Original price was: £50.40 Ex VAT (£60.48 Inc VAT).£44.89£53.87Current price is: £44.89 Ex VAT (£53.87 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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37-74 75+ £48.89£58.67 £45.36£54.43 
12mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
12mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 12mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£50.40£60.48 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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37-74 75+ £47.88£57.46 £45.36£54.43 
There are 1 more images12mm Eucalyptus Core Black Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
12mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 12mm Hexa phenolic mesh plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£50.40£60.48 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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37-74 75+ £34.86£41.83 £34.14£40.97 
There are 1 more images12mm Eucalyptus Core Black Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
12mm Anti-Slip Chinese Hexagon Pattern Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip hexagon pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 12mm Chinese Hexa phenolic plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£35.94£43.13 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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30-59 60+ £44.26£53.11 £43.35£52.02 There are 1 more images15mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
15mm Anti-Slip Chinese Hexagon Pattern Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications. Pressed on both surfaces with a multi-laminated core and Aica, also known as Dynea, overlay, you can expect a high performance from this board.
£45.63£54.76 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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25-49 50+ £45.60£54.72 £44.31£53.17 
18mm Eucalyptus Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
18mm Anti-Slip Mesh Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side 260g/m2 and a smooth film face finish on the other side 130g/m2. These sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture after sealing the edges and back of the board.
Original price was: £49.91 Ex VAT (£59.89 Inc VAT).£46.89£56.27Current price is: £46.89 Ex VAT (£56.27 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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25-49 50+ £34.01£40.81 £32.22£38.66 
18mm Eucalyptus/Poplar Core Brown Mesh Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
18mm Brown Mesh Phenol Faced Eucalyptus/Poplar Core Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal applications, has an anti-slip mesh pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. These sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture after sealing the edges and back of the board.
£35.80£42.96 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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25-49 50+ £65.68£78.82 £63.83£76.60 There are 1 more images18mm Eucalyptus Core Dark Brown Hexagon Pattern Anti Slip Phenolic Faced Film Plywood 2440 X 1220mm (8′ X 4′) FSC®
18mm Anti-Slip Hexagon Pattern Eucalyptus Core Phenolic Resin Hardwood Plywood is designed and manufactured especially for internal & external applications, has an anti-slip hexagon pattern on one side and a smooth film face finish on the other side. 18mm Hexa phenolic plywood sheets have been manufactured to high standards, making them resistant to corrosion and moisture. Edges of this board are painted.
£67.54£81.05 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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11-21 22+ £119.03£142.84 £111.59£133.91 18mm Birch Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′)
18mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured pattern is pressed onto the other.
£123.99£148.79 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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18-34 35+ £182.44£218.93 £177.28£212.74 18mm Birch Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 3050 x 1525mm (10′ x 5′)
18mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured pattern is pressed onto the other.
Original price was: £205.46 Ex VAT (£246.55 Inc VAT).£187.60£225.12Current price is: £187.60 Ex VAT (£225.12 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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11-21 22+ £112.16£134.59 £109.85£131.82 18mm Birch Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 2500 x 1220mm (8.2′ x 4′)
18mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured pattern is pressed onto the other.
£115.63£138.76 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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17-34 35+ £136.33£163.60 £133.52£160.22 
18mm Birch Core Black Anti Slip Hexagon Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 2440 x 1220mm (8′ X 4′)
18mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo Riga Heksa board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured hexagon pattern is pressed onto the other.
Original price was: £151.46 Ex VAT (£181.75 Inc VAT).£140.55£168.66Current price is: £140.55 Ex VAT (£168.66 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
18mm Birch Core Grey Anti Slip Hexagon Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 3050 x 1525mm (10′ X 5′)
18mm grey phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo Riga Heksa board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured hexagon pattern is pressed onto the other.
£278.65£334.38 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
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15-29 30+ £127.19£152.63 £120.49£144.59 21mm Birch Core Brown Anti Slip Mesh Phenolic Faced Film Buffalo Plywood 2500 x 1220mm (8.2′ x 4′)
21mm phenolic resin impregnated film Buffalo board is pressed on both surfaces of the board under high pressure and temperature, smooth on one surface and a textured pattern is pressed onto the other.
£133.88£160.66 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart
