Advice

Sheet Materials for Construction Workshops: Concrete Plywood, Fibre Cement & MDF

Which sheet boards do you choose for the build shop? Betonplex, fibre cement, plywood and MDF weighed for walls, floors and roofs.

By Andre Hassler

10 min leestijd

Plywood, multiplex, fibre cement and more

In the yard you often opt for the build shop betonplex as a robust, damp-proof floor or worktop. You pick fibre cement (cement-bound boards) for strong walls and roof parts that handle fire and damp. And you pick plywood or chip boards for inner walls, cupboards and inner work in dry rooms.

As Jan Sok, we can help you with this with a large stock of sheet boards. You also get expert notes and fast supply from Meppel. Also view our price lists for current rates per m².

Why sheet boards matter in the build shop

In a build shop, sheet boards have a hard time. Fork trucks, tools, pallets and projects cause heavy use, shock and regular contact with damp or build dust.

It is therefore key to choose boards with the right strength, damp hold and finish for each use (wall, floor, roof). This way you stop damage, sink and needless swap.

At Jan Sok we supply sheet boards each day to builders, joiners and self-employed people for shops, store sheds and build sites. We give custom notes per project. For larger series you can request a free quote or open a trade account.

Betonplex in the build shop

What is betonplex?

Betonplex is plywood with a dense epoxy or phenolic coat on both sides. That makes the board very strong, knock-proof and water-proof.

Thanks to this top layer, betonplex is ideal for heavy use. It is easy to clean and well guarded against damp, scratches and wear.

Uses for floor and worktop

Betonplex is often used in the build shop as:

  • Floor plate in shop sheds, store areas and trailers.
  • Worktops and assembly benches with a hard, smooth top layer.
  • Form boards for pouring concrete, reusable due to the smooth foil.

Due to the smooth top layer, concrete hardly sticks and dirt can be removed quickly. Ideal if you work with concrete, mortar or mud each day.

At Jan Sok we have standard betonplex in stock in common thicknesses and sizes. It is right for floors, trailers and work tables. For price notes per m² see also timber prices 2026.

Fibre-cement boards for walls and roofs

What are fibre cement boards?

Fibre-cement boards (cement-bound boards) consist of a mix of cement and wood fibres. These are pressed into a sturdy, robust board.

They join high strength with damp hold and a long life span. That makes them right for indoor and outdoor uses.

Use in the build shop: walls and roof

Cement-bound boards are above all right as:

  • Inner wall in wet or heavily loaded rooms (for example laundry, store of wet goods).
  • Front or outer wall around the build site, thanks to weather and mould hold.
  • Roof boards or roof panels for frames where strength and fire safety are key.

Due to their damp hold and size hold, fibre-cement boards stay stable where standard wood boards could swell or warp.

Jan Sok supplies cement-bound sheet boards in various thicknesses and sizes. Our staff are happy to advise which board suits your wall or roof frame. Combine with fixing goods made for outdoor use.

MDF and plywood for inner and dry rooms

MDF: nice for inner work, not for damp

MDF is made of finely ground wood fibres mixed with resin glue. That gives a very smooth and even board.

MDF is easy to saw and mill and is therefore widely used for furniture, split walls, kitchen drawers and built-in cupboards. For sheet boards in the webshop, see chip boards and plywood for similar uses.

Key limit: standard MDF is not right for outdoor or damp settings. In a build shop it mainly belongs in dry, indoor rooms or office and canteen areas. Do you want to finish wood? Look at paint and stain.

Plywood: strong and lighter than MDF

Plywood consists of several glued veneer layers (usually an odd number). That makes the board light, strong and widely useful.

Based on the kind of wood (for example okoumé, hardwood or poplar), plywood can be used for indoor or outdoor jobs. From walls and floor faces to inner finish. For damp rooms chip board V313 is often a better choice.

In the build shop, plywood is often used for:

  • Inner walls, split walls and store walls.
  • Base for floors or work platforms in dry rooms.
  • Cover of canteen, office or tool store.

At Jan Sok you will find a wide choice of plywood types. So you can select the right board in terms of strength, weight and outdoor use.

Wall, floor or roof: which board do you choose?

Wall board in the build shop

For walls in the shop you can roughly choose from:

  • Fibre-cement / cement-bound board for damp, heavily loaded or fire-critical zones.
  • Plywood for dry inner walls, light and strong, easy to finish.
  • MDF / chip board only for inner walls, cupboards and inner finish in dry rooms.

Floor board and work floor

For floors and heavy loads, betonplex and certain plywood types are above all of interest:

  • Betonplex as a robust, damp-proof floor slab and work face, able to take heavy use.
  • Plywood (for example a subfloor) in dry rooms or under finishes, if well held and guarded.

At Jan Sok we almost always recommend betonplex for build shop floors and trailer load floors. That is due to the hard top layer and wear hold.

Roof boards and roof panels

For roof uses in and around the build site, you can consider:

  • Cement-bound boards for sturdy, damp-proof roof frames with a long life span.
  • Plywood or under boards as roof boards with foil and roofing, under less extreme loads.
  • Clear roof sheets or wave sheets where daylight is wanted - useful for lean-tos and sky lights. Read roof timber notes for the full roof frame.

Our staff will work with you to look at spans, loads and wanted finish. Then we set the right board thickness and type. For build timber and beams see also spruce build wood and our roof range.

Why choose Jan Sok?

Jan Sok is a timber trade and wholesaler in timber and related goods, with a yard in Meppel.

We supply a wide range of sheet boards, planks, beams and extras for build, gardens and grounds. That includes fixing goods, paint and tools. Read our guide buy garden wood if you also need garden timber next to sheet boards.

For your build shop this means:

  • Large stock of betonplex, plywood, chip boards and cement-bound boards, ready for quick pick-up or supply.
  • Expert notes on board pick, build and install, matched to your real shop setting.
  • Working options for floors, walls, roof and store, with an eye for long life and heavy use.

Working tips: this is how you make the right choice

  • First clearly mark which parts of your build site are really damp, heavily loaded or outdoors. This includes betonplex and fibre cement.
  • Use MDF and standard plywood mainly in dry, indoor rooms, canteens and offices, or as inner and cabinet boards.
  • Check the wanted span, thickness and load. Our staff are happy to count with you which sheet thickness is right.
  • Count 5-10 percent cutting loss when ordering. For larger projects please request a custom quote.

Common questions about sheet boards in the build shop

Which sheet material is best for a construction workshop floor?

We almost always recommend this for heavy, damp work faces: betonplex. It is knock-proof, water-proof and easy to keep clean. In dry rooms, plywood can do as a base.

Is MDF suitable for the construction workshop?

Only in dry indoor rooms, such as the office or canteen. Standard MDF does not handle damp and does not belong in wet or heavily loaded work rooms.

What is the difference between concrete plywood and plywood?

Betonplex has a hard, water-proof coat and is meant for floors, form boards and heavy use. Plywood is lighter and more widely useful for walls and dry frames. It is less right for direct damp and wear loads.

Where can I buy sheet material for the construction workshop?

At Jan Sok - online via our webshop. It can be picked up in Meppel, or brought to your site. Please contact us for notes or a quote.

Get started right away

Would you like to be sure which sheet boards best suit your build site? Or would you like an at-once quote for betonplex, fibre-cement and plywood? Come visit Jan Sok or request a no-obligation quote. Then we make sure that your shop floor, walls and roof are ready for daily use.

Frequently asked questions

Which sheet material is best for a construction workshop floor?

For heavy, damp work faces we almost always recommend betonplex: knock-proof, water-proof and easy to keep clean.

Is MDF suitable for the construction workshop?

Only in dry indoor rooms, such as the office or canteen. Standard MDF does not handle damp and does not belong in wet or heavily loaded work rooms.

What is the difference between concrete plywood and plywood?

Betonplex has a hard, water-proof coat for floors and heavy use. Plywood is lighter and more widely useful for walls and dry frames.

Where can I buy sheet material for the construction workshop?

At Jan Sok - online, can be picked up in Meppel, or brought to your site.