waterproofing for wood countertop

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Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 409 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2012 - 11:25 am:    Let me see if i can explain this...I have a teak countertop over plywood substrate that is located outside (think towel hut at a pool). The architect wants to put some type of waterproofing between the teak and the plywood so that, if the teak gets wet (which is will), the water won't get through the teak and into the plywood and potentially into the drawers and cabinets below. Any suggestions for a peel/stick that would work between the 2 wood products? Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1271 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2012 - 05:10 pm:    I would use marine grade plywood, so that nothing would delaminate. How thick is the teak countertop? it takes a lot of water to go through solid wood, and if you are getting that much water, it will probably get into the drawers from wind-driven rain rather than just soaking through the top. if you are worried about hurricane-type winds and rains getting into casework, I woudl suggest some sort of custom made sailcloth cover that could be used during the winter, much like a cover over a barbeque. The only condition I could think of that would provide a continual soaking that would go through teak and through plywood would be if you put a 100 pound block of ice on the counter and just let it sit there for a few hours. I don't think waterproofing is needed -- just good exterior grade materials. And typically, unless this is in the Florida keys, if the weather is warm enough to be using a towel hut, then a short rainstorm should dry out pretty quickly afterwards. But use exterior grade materials, no matter what, and exterior grade glues and finishes. Gerard Sanchis Senior Member Username: gerard_sanchis Post Number: 75 Registered: 10-2009 Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2012 - 05:33 pm:    How is the teak top assembled? Teak will expand and contract with variation in humidity. When it contracts, water will find its way to the sub-top. You could use a man-made polymer like Corian in lieu of plywood as a substrate. It will be unaffected by water and should protect the base cabinet from water infiltration. The teak top can be glued to the Corian with a construction adhesive that will allow some movement. David E Lorenzini Senior Member Username: deloren Post Number: 132 Registered: 04-2000 Posted on Thursday, June 07, 2012 - 08:19 pm:    Robyn, For starters, it seems that something like NobleSeal TS Sheet-Form Waterproofing/Crack Isolation Control Membrane might work, since it can be applied with adhesive and move with differing expansion rates. For the substrate, unless it is permanently under water, exterior grade plywood should provide enough water resistance. David Lorenzini, FCSI, CCS Architectural Resources Co. Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 264 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, June 08, 2012 - 11:13 am:    Dumb question, and it truly might be, but why the plywood? There are plenty of boats out there with teak hulls and trim, well older boats anyway. Seems like a good marine finish on a solid teak counter might do the job.