1. Plywood
Cut a big tree into layers of 3mm-18mm thin boards, and the boards that are glued together are plywood.
The number of layers is generally 3-13 odd layers, which look like a wafer-like board from the side.
Because it is sandwiched and stuck together, it is also called “plywood” and “multilayer board”.
The so-called multi-layer solid wood board is actually plywood.
Named according to the number of layers of the sandwich, but this naming method is relatively rare, and only plywood is common.
It is very common to name them according to thickness, and there are 5-ply, 7-ply, and 9-ply.
▶️Performance & Use
Moisture-proof and anti-deformation, and the bearing capacity is also good. It is easy to process and has a natural advantage in making special-shaped furniture that is difficult to design.
✔Suitable for furniture cabinets, cabinet doors, back panels, and bottom panels.
✔Very suitable for near water spaces, especially in humid areas in the south.
There is no nice wood grain on the plywood surface.
If it is a cabinet door, it is not good to paint it directly, and other decorations should be added to the surface.
For example, use a solid wood sheet with a good texture and a thickness of about 2mm, and stick it on the plywood.
2. MDF
It is very similar to the production process of particleboard, except that particleboard is made of wood into particles, and fiberboard is made of wood into powder.
When high-pressure spray glue is used to press fiberboard, more force and less force are used, the density of the pressed board is different, so fiberboard is also called “density board”.
✔Low density board quality is too poor
✔ High density board is too heavy and expensive
✔ Only MDF (medium density fiberboard) is most suitable
▶️Performance & Use
The biggest disadvantage is that it is not moisture-proof, and it will bulge and deform when it sees water vapor.
Not suitable for use in places prone to moisture such as bathrooms.
The bearing capacity is poor, so it cannot be used as a cabinet.
✔ Only suitable for cabinet doors, or used in places that do not bear weight, such as the back panel of cabinets.
The surface of the medium density fiberboard is smooth, which is especially suitable for secondary processing. It is not a problem to paint or paste a pattern. If you like fancy styles, you can do cabinet door carving.
3. Particleboard (particle board/solid wood particle board)
Trunks, branches, tree branches, turf, straw and other materials are planed into pieces, and pressed into a solid porcelain board by high-pressure spray glue.
Solid wood particle board is a slightly better quality particle board. Wood is used for shavings, and there are no leftovers like turf straw.
The best quality solid wood particle board, shavings should not only use wood, but also the best wood from the trunk part.
Particleboard is the most used board on the market.
Because the miscellaneous brand particleboard is made of miscellaneous wood mixed with grass residue, the cost is low, and it can be produced by any small factory.
When buying particleboard, you must choose a big brand. The board itself can be better, and the edge sealing can be better (edge sealing prevents formaldehyde from spreading and moisture-proof).
▶️Performance & Use
Good load-bearing, not easy to deform, and relatively balanced performance.
It is suitable for load-bearing cabinets and cabinet doors for furniture, and is the main push plate of major customized furniture brands.
In terms of moisture resistance, particleboard is similar to plywood and can be used in kitchen cabinets.