Timber Based Boards
Commonly available through most UK Timber merchants is a wide variety of generic timber based products. These include: Plywood, Chipboard, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF), Blockboard and Hardboard.
Chipboard
As the name suggests, chipboard is manufactured from fine wood particles bonded into sheets with resin adhesive. Cheaper to manufacture than plywood it has less strength in tension than plywood but nevertheless is suitable for numerous internal and some external applications such as floor-boarding and in the manufacture of doors and furniture. With the exception of high grade water resistant products chipboard is more susceptible to moisture damage.
Plywood
This is comprised of cross bonded veneers glued together in various thicknesses to form a durable and versatile board. Manufactured from European softwoods and hardwoods it is available in various grades and finishes. Uses include shuttering for concrete, internal and external sheathing for walls and floors and boat building (marine grade).
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
This is a more recent development manufactured from shredded timber stands 65 -75mm long, with a high recycled content bound with a water-resistant resin and pressed into boards. Its strength and uniformity make it ideal for the manufacture of other structural elements such as Engineered Timber Floor Joists (I-Beams).
Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF)
This is manufactured from fine wood fibres bonded with synthetic resins into dense homogenous board with a fine uniform texture. Available in numerous grades according to water resistance and also flame-retardance it is widely used where stability, shape and finish is important as it can be moulded and offers a smooth surface ready for decoration.
Blockboard and Laminboard
These are composite boards formed with a core of timber wood blocks glued together and faced with a timber veneer each side. Laminboard uses narrower blocks in the core.
Hardboard
This is sometimes known as High Density Fibre Board. Manufactured in the UK since the 1880’s it is made from compressed timber and paper pulp either by wet or dry process. This produces a very flexible board at 6.4 mm with a very hard surface suitable for decoration.
Commonly available through most UK Timber merchants is a wide variety of generic timber based products. These include: Plywood, Chipboard, Oriented Strand Board (OSB), Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF), Blockboard and Hardboard.
Chipboard
As the name suggests, chipboard is manufactured from fine wood particles bonded into sheets with resin adhesive. Cheaper to manufacture than plywood it has less strength in tension than plywood but nevertheless is suitable for numerous internal and some external applications such as floor-boarding and in the manufacture of doors and furniture. With the exception of high grade water resistant products chipboard is more susceptible to moisture damage.
Plywood
This is comprised of cross bonded veneers glued together in various thicknesses to form a durable and versatile board. Manufactured from European softwoods and hardwoods it is available in various grades and finishes. Uses include shuttering for concrete, internal and external sheathing for walls and floors and boat building (marine grade).
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
This is a more recent development manufactured from shredded timber stands 65 -75mm long, with a high recycled content bound with a water-resistant resin and pressed into boards. Its strength and uniformity make it ideal for the manufacture of other structural elements such as Engineered Timber Floor Joists (I-Beams).
Medium Density Fibre Board (MDF)
This is manufactured from fine wood fibres bonded with synthetic resins into dense homogenous board with a fine uniform texture. Available in numerous grades according to water resistance and also flame-retardance it is widely used where stability, shape and finish is important as it can be moulded and offers a smooth surface ready for decoration.
Blockboard and Laminboard
These are composite boards formed with a core of timber wood blocks glued together and faced with a timber veneer each side. Laminboard uses narrower blocks in the core.
Hardboard
This is sometimes known as High Density Fibre Board. Manufactured in the UK since the 1880’s it is made from compressed timber and paper pulp either by wet or dry process. This produces a very flexible board at 6.4 mm with a very hard surface suitable for decoration.
Where to buy chipboard
- HPP - Scottfield Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL8 1LA, 0161 628 1147