MDF in boathouse

[En apelsin]

thanks for the input. the print shops seem a bit nervous about boat sheds, and say that "plywood doesn't work so well in humid environments," but whether it's considered a humid environment when they are in a tight, but unheated, boat shed, they can't answer. what would you say? I find it a bit strange that plywood would damage in a boat shed provided it doesn't get direct moisture on it, so to speak.

It depends a lot on how humid the air is. What exactly do you mean by a boat shed in this case? Is it on land? Do you mean it's a house standing on a dock where you can moor a boat inside? Difficult to determine how much moisture you get in.

 

[doctormirabilis]

It depends a lot on the humidity in the air. What exactly do you mean by boathouse in this case? Is it on land? Do you mean it's a house on a dock where you can moor a boat inside? Difficult to determine how much moisture you get in.

Very reasonable question that I obviously should have seen coming already in my original post. No, it's not a boathouse on stilts over the water but a building 2 meters from the shoreline. The moisture is from the air, I don't know the exact numbers but we're talking southern Norrland geographically. Yes, this is tricky, maybe I should play it safe and avoid wood altogether.

 

[Magnus_Andersson]

Valchromat. Expensive but probably works as you intended.

https://calexicowood.se/mdf.php

 

[hscn]

Regular MDF, even the "moisture resistant" version, as previously described, is poorly suited for any constructions exposed to moisture. However, there is a variant called "Tricoya" that resists moisture very well. I have seen small pieces of Tricoya stored in water for a year without separating, only swelling marginally on the surface.

 

[doctormirabilis]

Valchromat. Expensive but probably works as you intended.

[link]

Interesting. But I don't see anyone offering photo printing on that material.

 

[En apelsin]

Very reasonable question that I obviously should have anticipated in my original post. No, it's not a boathouse on stilts over the water but a building 2 meters from the shoreline. The moisture is from the air, exact figures I don't know, but we're talking southern Norrland geographically. Yes, this is tricky, maybe I should play it safe and avoid wood altogether.

Considering that it's not over the water, I find it hard to see that the space will be more humid than other houses that stand unheated. I think plywood should work. If you want to be completely on the safe side, why not opt for a painted sheet of marine plywood?

 

[doctormirabilis]

Considering that it is not over the water, I have a hard time seeing that the space will be more humid than other houses that remain unheated. I think plywood should work. If you want to be completely on the safe side, why not print on a painted sheet of marine plywood?

I hope so too and agree with you. However, it is only possible to print on what the printing house provides.

 

[En apelsin]

I hope so and I agree with you. However, you can only print on what the print shop provides.

Yes, is there no way to deal with them at all? If we're not talking about many thousands, I would take a chance and print on the plywood they provide. An alternative to protect the material is to varnish or oil the plywood after printing, especially on the end grain where damage usually starts. This way, you get some protection against moisture. It's important, of course, that the printing ink isn't affected by the surface treatment, but you can certainly ask about that.

 

[doctormirabilis]

Yes, is it not possible to negotiate with them at all? If it's not thousands we're talking about, I would bet on pressing on the plywood they provide. One option to protect the material is to varnish or oil the plywood after printing, especially the end grain where damage usually starts. This way, you get some protection against moisture. Of course, it's crucial that the paint is not affected by the surface treatment, but you can certainly ask about that.

no, it's their stuff that applies. yes, I should be able to ask, indeed. I don't think, as I said, the moisture in the air should be worse than any other cold-stored building, at least not other cold-stored building by the sea. plywood would definitely be the easiest, the alternative (more expensive) is to go with metal and put the metal outside of wooden boards of some kind. thanks