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Most surfboards are finished with fiberglass cloth. Fiberglass is sold by the yard and the weight of the cloth refers to the amount of resin required to saturate a yard of the cloth. For example, 6-ounce cloth requires 6 ounces of resin to wet one yard; 4-ounce cloth requires 4 ounces of resin to saturate one yard of cloth, etc. 6-ounce and 4-ounce are the most common weights of fiberglass cloth used in the surfing industry.

"S" and "E" cloth refers to the specific fiberglass cloth used in the process. "S" cloth claims to be 30% stronger than "E" cloth.

The strength of the glass job is largely determined by the weight and layers of the fiberglass cloth. The standard competition weight is two 4-ounce fiberglass layers on the top (deck) of the surfboard and one 4-ounce layer on the bottom. The next higher strength is one 6-ounce layer and one 4-ounce layer on top and one 4-ounce layer on the bottom. If still more strength is desired, look for a surfboard with one 6-ounce layer and one 4-ounce layer on top and one 6-ounce layer on the bottom. A very strong surfboard would have two 6-ounce layers on the top with one 6-ounce layer on the bottom.

If you are ding prone or break a lot of surfboards, choose a surfboard with stronger glass. It makes the surfboard heavier therefore less maneuverable but may be worth the durability.

Surfboards typically have a sanded or a gloss and polish finish. Surfboards with a sanded finish are lighter albeit duller than their glossed counterparts. They are also more porous which leads to water damage and deterioration. The gloss and polished surfboards are more durable and have that super shine.