Film faced plywood (also called shuttering plywood, phenolic plywood or film coated plywood) is the most popular material for slab and wall formwork in Indian construction. This guide covers everything — thickness, weight, grades, price, reuse cycles — so you can choose the right plywood for your project.
What is Film Faced Plywood?
Film faced plywood is a hardwood plywood sheet coated with phenolic resin film on both faces. The film creates a smooth, waterproof surface that:
- Gives a mirror-smooth finish to the concrete
- Resists moisture during concrete curing (WBP — Weather and Boil Proof)
- Allows easy release from hardened concrete
- Can be reused 25–35 times with proper care
Film Faced Plywood Specifications
| Property | Standard Grade | Premium Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 12mm | 12mm / 18mm |
| Sheet size | 8ft × 4ft (2440 × 1220mm) | 8ft × 4ft |
| Weight per sheet | 30 kg | 34 kg |
| Core wood | Mixed hardwood | Meranti / Keruing |
| Film thickness | 120 GSM | 220 GSM |
| Glue type | WBP phenolic | WBP phenolic |
| Reuse cycles | 20–25 | 30–40 |
| Concrete finish | Smooth | Mirror finish |
30 kg vs 34 kg — Which Should You Choose?
The weight difference comes from the density of the core wood and film thickness. Here's when to use each:
- 30 kg (Standard): Good for internal slabs, beams, columns in residential projects. Cost-effective for projects where concrete finish is not exposed.
- 34 kg (Premium): Best for exposed concrete walls, commercial buildings, bridges, and any surface where finish quality matters. Higher reuse count justifies the premium.
How to Get Maximum Reuse from Film Faced Plywood
- Apply release oil before every concrete pour — this is the single biggest factor
- Remove shuttering carefully — don't pry with crowbars against the film face
- Clean immediately after striking — dried concrete damages the film
- Store flat on a level surface, off the ground, covered from rain
- Repair edges with waterproof tape if the film peels — moisture entry through edges ruins the core
Film Faced Plywood vs MS Plate for Shuttering
| Film Faced Plywood | MS Plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete finish | Mirror smooth | Good (slight texture) |
| Weight | Light (30–34 kg/sheet) | Heavy |
| Reuse | 25–40 times | 80–100+ times |
| Cost | Moderate per sheet | Higher upfront, longer life |
| Available as | Buy only | Rent & Buy |
| Best for | Slabs, exposed walls | Columns, beams, repetitive work |
Where to Buy Film Faced Plywood
Tikkiwal Timbers LLP supplies 12mm film faced shuttering plywood in both 30 kg and 34 kg grades. We deliver across Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Noida, Bengaluru, Rajkot, Agra, Udaipur, Gandhidham, Gurugram, Indore, Amritsar, Kota, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Ghaziabad and Mathura.
For bulk orders and custom sizes, call +91 98291 68830 or WhatsApp +91 63766 40915. GST invoice provided on all orders.