Man made boards
Man made boards
  • Man made boards often made use of waste materials. For example saw dust is use to make MDF and hardboard. The saw dust is held together with a glue.
  • Man made boards are often used as cheap alternatives to real woods.
  • Man made boards don't look as expensive as real woods.
  • Man made boards are often cover with a thin layer of real wood to improve their appearance (Veneered).

 

Board Appearance Properties Uses
Chipboard Made from compressed wood chips.Strength varies with density of board. Bonded with resin. Often veneered to improve appearance. Cheap Cheap floor boards, self assembly furniture

MDF

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Higher density when chipboard, therefore stronger. No grain, strong, though edges need treating before painting. Cheap Furniture, model making

Plywood

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Layers of wood bonded together with grains at right angles to each other, very strong.
Flooring, furniture
Blockboard Blocks of cheap wood sandwiched between thin sheets of better quality wood. Very strong. Furniture
Hardboard Made of sawdust, similar to MDF. Smooth on one side and rough on the other. Very cheap Construction material