PLYWOOD

Composed of veneers glued together to form plies, with grains laid perpendicular to each other. The number
of veneers is usually an odd number. The alternate perpendicular direction of grains in each ply is what gives
plywood its strength.

Plywood is made by cutting logs with a rotary cutter to obtain veneers. Dimensions are 1220mm x 2440m (4’ x
8’).

Exterior or Type 1 – used for exterior applications or wet areas

INTERIOR or Type 2 – used for Interior applications or not for wet areas

PLYBOARD

Composed of two veneer faces with a sandwich of solid lumber. However, the lumbers are not single pieces
but small, excess pieces. Plyboard costs less but is weaker than plywood.

Plyboard is a cheaper substitute for cabinet, countertop and furniture making.

There is only one thickness: 19mm.

Dimensions: 1220 mmx 2440mm

HARD BOARD, TEMPERED HARD BOARD, HIGH DENSITY FIBER BOARD

Made from processed wood chips. Wood chips of controlled size are subjected to high pressure in a pressure
vessel where they “explode”, separating the cellulose and lignin from unwanted elements.

The product is smooth on one side and has a burlap like impression on the other side.

Thicknesses: 3, 4.75, 6, 8, 9.5mm

Board dimension 1220mm x 2440mm

(MDF) MEDIUM DENSITY FIBER BOARD

Used as a cladding material and similar to A hardboard. Can be made into a variety of textured finishes. Very
heavy, with thicknesses up to 25mm. Uses include for cabinet making and wall paneling. Cannot be used in
wet areas although it is use in kitchen cabinets.

Melamine veneers and other veneers can be glued on.

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Veneer: A thin sheet of facing. A veneer can be a rotary-cut piece of wood. In other uses, the term “veneer”,
such as in “melamine veneer,” can mean a facing or face.

Thicknesses: 3mm, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 25

 For kitchen or wet area service, use MR or moisture resistant MDF (usually 18mm thick for cabinets);
although not suitable for exterior use

PARTICLE BOARD

Wood particles, chips, flakes, curls, etc. , are pressed together and glued with adhesive to form a board.

Particle boards can be faced with melamine veneer for use as countertops, cabinets and cabinet doors. They
can be pressed into any shape.

Thicknesses:

 9mm, 12, 15, 18, 25, 30mm

 Also available, moisture resistant (MR)particle board (18mm for use in wet environments), although
not suitable for exterior use

(OSB) ORIENTED STRANDED BOARD

Engineered wood-based panel consisting of strands of wood which are bonded together with a synthetic resin;
the strands are pressed together in layers.

 In the outer layer’s strands are generally oriented longitudinally in line with the panel length, whereas
in the middle layers strands generally lie in a cross wise direction.

Thicknesses: 6mm up to 40mm

 Board dimension: 1220 x 2440mm

 Used for sheathing, flooring, decking, roofing, and crating; also, furniture.
 Advantage: high lateral resistance

Grades of OSB using EN 300 (European Standards), in

terms of their mechanical performance and relative

resistance to moisture:

 OSB/1 - General purpose boards and boards for interior fitments (including furniture) for use in dry
conditions.
 OSB/2 - Load-bearing boards for use in dry conditions.
 OSB/3 - Load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions
 OSB/4 - Heavy-duty load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions.

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 PHENOLIC PANEL/PHENOLIC BOARD

Similar to plywood in construction but uses a phenolic resin glue. This makes the board very water resistant.
Uses

include: as formwork and as toilet cubicle partitions

 Phenolic panels used for toilet partitions

NON- WOOD BOARDS

GYMPSUM BOARD

Sometimes called a drywall, gypsum board is made of a gypsum core with paper facing on

both sides of the board.

 Sometimes it is called sheetrock but technically, “Sheetrock” is a popular brand of gypsum board.

in the US. Typical thicknesses include 9, 11, 12, 15 mm.

 Board size is 1220 x 2440mm (1.22 x 2.44m)

 some brands have board dimensions of 1220 x 3000mm (1.22 x 3m)
 Gypsum boards can only be used in interior locations and cannot be used for wet service.

There are three board types: 1. ordinary, 2. moisture resistant and 3. Type X (fire resistant).

Typical uses are for ceilings and walls. Type X, for fire partitions.

 One advantage gypsum board has over plywood and plyboard is its tapered edge which allows puttying
without raising the profile of the puttied edge. Square edged-gypsum boards are also available.
 Advantages over wood: termite proof, non-combustible

FIBER CEMENT BOARD

Made of cement and sand reinforced with cellulose or other fibers. As a plywood substitute, it is used
as
a cladding material, ceiling cover, or backing, subflooring (for thicknesses 18 mm and up.
 Typical thicknesses include 3.5, 4.5, 6, 9, 12 and 18mm. Some brands have thicknesses of 20mm
and up. Board size is 1220mm x 2440mm (1.22m x 2.44 m).
 Fiber cement boards can be used in wet locations and exteriors. Advantages over
wood: fireproof, termite proof, can withstand moisture and wetness.
 Cutting a fiber cement board: score and snap method

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 Uses:

 Interior and exterior walls

 Fascia
 Ceiling and eaves
 Flooring
 Wall finish for CHB or poured RC walls

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