Trying to figure
out the differences between plywood can be confusing enough. But
deciding which reconstituted wood product (like OSB, MDF and particleboard)
to use can be a nightmare if you're not familiar with them. Use
the chart below to help plan the materials for your next project.
Reconstituted woods products are made by mixing leftover wood parts
with glue or resin at high heat and pressure. Since they don't have
a grain pattern, they won't bow or warp like traditional plywood.
MDF
is a waste-wood product that is made with fine wood fiber.
Particleboard
What Is Particleboard?
Particleboard
is a waste-wood product that is made by mixing sawdust.
Although it won't bow or warp like plywood, it does swell
and become unstable when exposed to water.
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) What is OSB?
OSB
is an engineered wood product that is made with flakes or
large chips of wood. The panels are formed from layers or
plies glued together with their strands at ninety-degree
angles to one another. The cross orientation of the layers
adds strength to the panels and makes OSB well suited for
use as a structure board.
Where to Use MDF, Particleboard and OSB
Material
MDF
Particleboard
OSB
Uses
Furniture,
Shelving, Cabinetry, Molding
Furniture,
Underlayment, Substrate for countertop.
Sheathing,
Underlayment
Cutting
and Shaping
Easily
milled with all power tools. Resists tear out.
Can be
milled with all power tools. Moderate tear out.
Can be
cut with all power saws.
Since
this product is a structure board, it is not suited to shaping,
sanding, or other milling operations.
Finishes
Laminate,
Veneer, Paint
Laminate,
Veneer
Paints
and primers will adhere to OSB, however the board is designed
for use as an underlayment or sheathing and shouldn't require
finishing.
WARNING:
Due to the resins and glues used in manufacturing, waste-wood products
produce an inordinate amount of fine dust when machined or sanded.
And, since the dust from waste wood products can be more harmful
than natural timber products, always wear goggles and a dust mask.
