Solid Teak vs Okoume WBP Marine Plywood: Which to Choose for Your Boat
The solid teak and the okoume marine plywood are two of the most widely used materials in boatbuilding and repair, but they meet different needs. In short: natural Burma teak is the benchmark timber for decks and parts exposed to the weather, whereas okoume WBP marine plywood is a light, stable plywood, ideal for structures, bulkheads, furniture and interior linings. Choosing the right material avoids durability problems and extra cost.
In this guide we explain the technical differences, what the WBP standard means and which part of the boat each one suits.
What solid Burma teak is
The Burma teak (Tectona grandis) is a natural solid timber considered the best in the world for exterior marine use. Its reputation is no accident: it naturally contains oils and silica that make it extraordinarily resistant to water, rot, fungi and insects, with no need for chemical treatments. It is a dense, stable timber with a characteristic straight grain and golden tone that weathers to a noble silver grey when left unvarnished.
In the marine sector, solid teak is used above all for decks (the classic teak gratings and planks), steps, caprails, handrails and exterior decorative elements. Its surface offers excellent grip even when wet, which is why it remains the preferred material to walk on aboard. It is important to stress that in quality boatbuilding we always mean natural teak: it is genuine timber, not an imitation material.
What okoume marine plywood is
The okoume marine plywood is a plywood (several thin wood veneers bonded with their grain crossed) made specifically to resist moisture. Okoume (Aucoumea klaineana) is a light African timber with a fine grain and a good strength-to-weight ratio, which makes it ideal when you are looking for lightness and dimensional stability.
The key to marine plywood is not just the timber but the phenolic glue that bonds the veneers: it is what gives it resistance to boiling water and the weather. Unlike ordinary plywood, marine plywood does not delaminate (its layers do not separate) in a damp environment. It is used for structures, bulkheads, floors, interior linings, on-board furniture and hull building using the plywood or stitch-and-glue method.
What WBP and the BS1088 standard mean
Two acronyms appear constantly when buying marine plywood, and it is worth understanding them:
- WBP (Weather and Boil Proof): literally "weather and boiling-water proof". It indicates that the adhesive that bonds the veneers is a phenolic glue able to withstand permanent moisture, boiling water and exterior exposure without delaminating. WBP describes the quality of the bonding, not of the timber itself.
- BS1088: the British standard that defines the requirements for genuine marine plywood. It specifies the quality of the veneers (no internal gaps or overlaps), the permitted timber species, the type of glue and the tolerances. A BS1088 board is the guarantee that you are buying a genuine marine plywood and not a lower-quality exterior plywood.
In practice: a good okoume marine plywood should be WBP and, preferably, BS1088 certified. That combination ensures that both the glue and the veneers meet the requirements of marine use.
Key differences between teak and marine plywood
Composition
The teak is natural solid timber: a single piece of wood. The marine plywood is a composite material of bonded veneers. This makes the board more stable against warping (it does not "move" like solid timber) but its edges must be protected, as they are the weak point where moisture can get in.
Weather resistance
The teak withstands the weather on its own, thanks to its natural oils, and can be left exposed without treatment. The marine plywood resists moisture structurally, but its faces and edges must be sealed (with epoxy resin, varnish or paint) for prolonged exterior use.
Weight
The okoume is noticeably lighter than solid teak, a decisive advantage in construction where weight matters. Teak is dense and heavy, which makes it better suited to walking surfaces than to large structures.
Price
The solid teak is considerably more expensive, as it is a noble, slow-growing timber of controlled origin. The okoume marine plywood offers a reliable marine solution at a much lower cost for applications where visible teak is not needed.
Comparison table: solid teak vs okoume marine plywood
| Feature | Solid Burma teak | Okoume WBP marine plywood |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Natural solid timber | Plywood (bonded veneers) |
| Water resistance | Natural, without treatment | Through phenolic glue; seal the edges |
| Weight | Dense and heavy | Light |
| Dimensional stability | Moves with moisture | Very stable |
| Typical use | Decks, handrails, visible exterior | Structures, bulkheads, furniture |
| Visible finish | Excellent (noble timber) | Needs finishing/lining |
| Price | High | Moderate |
| Reference standard | Quality of the piece | WBP / BS1088 |
Which material to use in each part of the boat
Use solid teak for...
- Decks and exterior decking: the walking surface par excellence, with unrivalled grip and looks.
- Gratings: the teak gratings for cockpits and forward showers.
- Handrails, caprails and steps: parts that are exposed and touched.
- Exterior decorative details where top-quality visible timber is wanted.
Use okoume marine plywood for...
- Bulkheads and internal structures: where lightness and stability matter.
- Floors and bases that will be lined or painted.
- On-board furniture: lockers, berths, galley units.
- Hull building and reinforcements using the plywood or stitch-and-glue method.
- Linings and backing panels that are not visible.
Many projects combine both: a light, stable structure in marine plywood, and exposed finishes in natural teak. This is the classic combination in quality marine joinery.
Frequently asked questions about teak and marine plywood
What is the difference between teak and marine plywood?
Teak is natural solid timber, weather-resistant thanks to its own oils, used for decks and visible exterior parts. Marine plywood is an okoume plywood with WBP phenolic glue, light and stable, used for structures, bulkheads and furniture. Teak is more expensive; marine plywood is cheaper and lighter.
What does it mean that a marine plywood is WBP?
WBP stands for Weather and Boil Proof. It indicates that the glue bonding the veneers is phenolic and withstands permanent moisture and boiling water without delaminating. WBP refers to the quality of the bonding, not of the timber.
What is the BS1088 standard?
BS1088 is the British standard that defines genuine marine plywood: veneer quality with no internal gaps, permitted species, type of glue and tolerances. A BS1088 board guarantees that it is a genuine marine plywood and not a lower-quality exterior plywood.
Can I use marine plywood for the deck instead of teak?
Marine plywood works as the structural base of a deck, but the exterior walking surface is better solved with solid teak because of its grip, durability without treatment and looks. The usual approach is to use marine plywood as the substrate and natural teak as the visible finish.
Does okoume marine plywood need to be treated?
If it is used outdoors or in very damp areas, its faces and especially its edges should be sealed with epoxy resin, varnish or paint, as the edges are where moisture can get in. In protected interiors, a lighter treatment may be enough.
Why is Burma teak the best for marine use?
Because it naturally contains oils and silica that make it resistant to water, rot, fungi and insects without treatments, it offers excellent grip even when wet and it weathers to a noble silver grey. It is a genuine natural timber of controlled growth.
Where to buy teak and marine plywood in Spain
La Tienda Naval supplies natural Burma teak and okoume WBP marine plywood for boatbuilding, repair and maintenance, with stock in Spain and shipping to mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and Portugal. We offer teak decking strips, gratings and okoume marine plywood in several thicknesses, with technical advice to choose the right material for each part of your project.
See teak for decks · See okoume marine plywood
- Phone: +34 971 253 950
- Website: latiendanaval.es
- Address: Camino de Jesus 21-22, Pol. Ind. Can Valero, 07011 Palma de Mallorca