13 Oct 2026 • 6 min read • 0 views
Shuttering Plywood: Film-Faced vs Plain, Thickness, Reuse and How Many Sheets for a Slab
Short answer: shuttering plywood is the board used as the mould (formwork) for concrete slabs, beams and columns. Film-faced shuttering ply has a smooth, water-resistant film on both faces, gives a smoother concrete finish and lasts more reuses; plain shuttering ply costs less but wears out sooner. 12mm is common for slabs on close supports and 18mm for wider spans and beams. A slab needs roughly its area ÷ 32 sheets (8×4 ft sheets), plus beams and edges. Nitin Plywood House, Alipur sells shuttering plywood; call +91-9212017608 for today's type, thickness and rate.
Where it's used
| Job | What the ply does |
|---|---|
| Slab (lentar) | Laid on props and runners as the floor of the mould |
| Beams | Sides and bottom of the beam box |
| Columns | Boxed around the steel cage |
| Walls, staircases, chajjas | Shaped forms |
"Ply for shuttering", "ply for centering" and "plywood for concrete shuttering works" all mean the same board.
Film-faced vs plain
| Film-faced shuttering ply | Plain shuttering ply | |
|---|---|---|
| Face | Smooth phenolic film, usually dark brown or black | Plain wood face |
| Concrete finish | Smooth, less plaster needed | Rougher; shows grain |
| Water | Film resists water | Face absorbs water |
| Reuses | More | Fewer |
| Cost per sheet | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Repeated floors, exposed concrete, contractors | One-off or small jobs |
Over a whole building, film-faced ply can work out cheaper per use because it lasts more pours. Reuse counts vary with the brand and, most of all, with care on site.
Thickness
| Thickness | Use |
|---|---|
| 12mm | Slabs with runners and props close together |
| 18mm | Wider spans, beam bottoms, columns, heavy pours |
Ask your contractor or engineer for the prop and runner spacing; thinner ply on wide spacing bends and gives a wavy ceiling.
How many sheets for a slab (estimate)
An 8×4 ft sheet covers 32 sq ft.
| Slab area | Sheets for the slab bottom | Add |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | about 16 | beam sides and bottoms, edges, about 10% for cuts |
| 1,000 sq ft | about 32 | same |
| 1,500 sq ft | about 47 | same |
Beams can add a lot: measure the total beam length × (two sides + bottom). Send the plan to us, and we'll help with the count.
Getting more reuses
- Apply release oil (shuttering oil) before every pour, so concrete doesn't stick.
- Clean concrete off after each use with a scraper, not a hammer.
- Seal cut edges with paint or edge sealant; water gets in through the edges first.
- Drive nails carefully; fewer, well-placed nails mean fewer holes.
- Store flat and covered, off the ground, between pours.
- Don't drop sheets from height; broken corners shorten the life.
Shuttering ply vs steel plates
| Shuttering plywood | Steel (MS) plates | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Light, easy to handle | Heavy |
| Cutting to odd shapes | Easy | Hard |
| Reuses | Fewer | Many |
| Finish | Smooth with film-faced | Smooth, may show joints |
| Rust | No | Needs care |
Many contractors use steel plates for flat slabs and ply for beams, columns and odd shapes.
FAQ
What is shuttering plywood? A plywood made to be the mould for concrete: slabs, beams and columns.
Which is better, film-faced or plain shuttering ply? Film-faced gives a smoother finish and more reuses; plain is cheaper for one-off jobs.
12mm or 18mm shuttering ply? 12mm for slabs on close supports, 18mm for wider spans, beams and columns.
How many shuttering ply sheets for a 1,000 sq ft slab? About 32 for the slab bottom, plus beams, edges and about 10% extra.
Nitin Plywood House, Alipur
We sell shuttering plywood to contractors and home builders, with a GST bill and delivery anywhere in Delhi. To check today's type (film-faced or plain), thickness and rate, or for a bulk quote, call or WhatsApp +91-9212017608. See shuttering plywood and buying plywood in bulk.