We know that plywood gives a solid foundation to a project, but there are other wood boards that get the job done, too. Apart from plywood, MDF and particleboard are the most common ones.
The majority of India has a tropical climate; therefore, the surface has to withstand water, moisture, and heat at some point.
Let’s dive in!
What is MDF?
MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard. Hardwood and softwood composites are broken down to get this engineered wood. There are no visible cracks on the surface as it's made of small wood fibers.
What are the Types of MDF?
Beadboard
MDF is usually for the more humid rooms and/or the ones that are more likely to get wet. Examples can be bathroom walls or damp basements.
Slatwall
Slatwall is most used for commercial display walls or to make shelves, or for storage systems. Since it is easy to paint, you can be creative in designing your storage areas.
What are the Characteristics of MDF?
Versatility
The versatile surface makes it ideal for window boards, kitchen furniture, cabinets, and wall paneling.
Easy to Use
MDF is easy to paint and cut. The plain surface retains the paint for a long time. Because they have smooth curvatures, MDF can generate curved surfaces.
Fire Challenges
The MDF retards the flow of heat, keeping your walls safer. The coating on the surface absorbs heat. Using MDF for your doors is a good idea.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is a structural material that is manufactured by joining veneers using an adhesive to create a thicker panel.
What are the Types of Plywood?
Marine Plywood
Marine plywood is a fully calibrated waterproof material enjoying preference in industrial and marine applications. Its hardwood core gives the plywood improved strength.
Moisture-Resistant Plywood
The climate of India is such that structures will come into contact with moisture sooner or later. To beat this eventuality, moisture-resistant (MR) wood plywood sheets are used.
What are the Characteristics of Plywood?
Holding Nails and Screws
The best plywood needs to be able to hold screws for a long time, keeping the integrity of the structure intact.
Resistant to Borers, Fungus, and Termites
Plywood will eventually come into contact with heat, water, and moisture. This can lead to termite, fungus, or borer attacks. Waterproof plywood and MR plywood can keep plywood functional for years, and keep termites, borers, and fungus away.
Longevity
Compared to MDF and particleboards, plywood has the highest durability, lasting for more than two decades.
What is Particleboard?
A particleboard is a wood-based panel-shaped material made using compressed wood chips, sawdust, and adhesive or resin under high pressure or heat.
What are the Types of Particleboard?
Single-layer Particleboard
This particleboard is a combination of wood particles put together. This flat and dense surface can be plastic laminated, but not painted.
Veneered Particleboard
This particleboard is made using a thin layer of wood called veneer attached to the surface. Veneered ones are more resistant to warping.
What are the Characteristics of Particleboard?
Lightweight
The good thing about particleboard is that they are lighter than plywood, making it easier to transport and transport.
Density
The density levels define the flexibility of particleboards. The low-density ones are lighter and more accessible. The density depends on the project.
Machinability
Particleboards can also be shaped with regular woodworking tools. The surface is consistent for smooth cutting.
How Do MDF, Plywood, and Particleboard Differ?
MDF has a smooth texture, making the surface easier to paint, and for particleboards, you’ll get pre-laminated options. MDF has the easiest workability compared to the other two.
As for durability, plywood lasts the longest, with particleboard being the least durable. Plywood is the strongest material, followed by MDF and particleboard. MDF can get damaged if handled without care, but particleboards have low strength.
Plywood does not deform under pressure and isn’t prone to dimensional changes. The same can’t be said about MDF and particleboards, as the presence of moisture changes their shape.
Due to the strong cross-grain pattern of plywood, they have a higher capacity to hold screws and nails for longer periods. MDF doesn’t hold screws very well. The surface of particleboards is unsuitable for nails and screws, as the surface is brittle and soft.
Conclusion
When deciding between plywood, MDF, and particleboard, you have to consider the project. For kitchens or bathrooms in India, go with MR or waterproof plywood. For decorative panels, MDF can be a good choice, and for lightweight furniture, particleboard.
