Particle Board Vs Plywood Vs MDF: Comparison Between

Comparison between Particle Board, Plywood, And MDF

If a person is looking to buy wood composite for his office or home furniture but he is unable to decide between the particleboard, plywood, and MDF. It would be better to select the wood composite that is stronger & affordable among the other two options. The stronger & affordable wood composite among the particleboard, MDF, and plywood can be determined by going through the advantages & disadvantages of each wood composite given below;

Particle Board

Wood chips, resin, sawdust, and sawmill shavings are heat pressed together to form the particleboard. In order to make the constructed product insect-proof, fiber proof, and water-resistant, several chemicals are used during the construction such as releasing & wetting agents, dyes, and wax. Once wood scraps, chemicals, & resin are mixed together, a liquid mixture is formed that is converted into a particleboard sheet.
Advantages:

1. The price of particleboard is fairly low.
2. Particle board can be lifted easily due to its lightweight.
3. It is mostly used for the construction of ready to use furniture.

Disadvantages:

1. Particle board cannot hold heavyweight due to its low strength.
2. It is less eco-friendly than wood furniture.
3. Moisture causes discoloration or expansion in the particleboard.

Plywood

Plywood is a type of engineered wood that is manufactured out of wood veneer sheets. In order to construct one solid piece of wood veneer or plywood, several wood veneer sheets are bonded & pressed together. The construction with which a solid plywood piece is constructed out of wood veneer pieces is known as cross-graining. Besides that, the construction process improves the panel strength consistency and also reduces expansion and shrinkage.
Advantages:

1. Plywood is available in a number of wood species and in several thickness levels.
2. It can be painted, stained, and holds the screws well.
3. The plywood material is very strong and is less susceptible to get damaged by water.
4. The product can be purchased with NO or less VOCs.

Disadvantages:

1. The plywood is quite expensive and difficult to cut.
2. The edges of plywood need to be finished as its layers are visible.

MDF(Medium-Density Fiberboard)

Medium-Density Fiberboard or MDF is a type of engineered wood composite that is constructed out of wood fibers. Small wood fibers are mostly used in the construction of Medium-Density Fiberboard that makes the knots, rings, and wood grain invisible. In order to construct Medium-Density Fiberboard, glue and wood fibers are heated together to create a strong bond. Besides that, Medium-Density Fiberboard can be constructed by using both soft & hardwoods.
Advantages:

1. MDF has no visible wood grain due to it being constructed out of small wood fibers.
2. It is easy to cut & paint MDF wood.
3. The products is available at a very low price.
4. The surface of MDF is very smooth & without splinters.
5. Compared to particle board, MDF is stronger & denser.

Disadvantages:

1. MDF cannot be stained.
2. Due to the denser nature of MDF, it is quite heavy.

Conclusion: As per the above-given advantages & disadvantages of particle board, plywood & MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard), the use of wood composite depends upon the construction & condition it will be used in. For example, plywood can be used in the construction of cabinet frame as it takes the stain, paint, and holds the screws well. Similarly, the cabinet shelves can be constructed out of MDF in order to save some money.