Types of boards used in furniture, their usage, size, thickness advantages, and disadvantages

Hi, looking for the perfect furniture for your house? Hold on, first explore the boards available in the market as it would help you in defining the right material with which your furniture should be made up of.

This blog will help you in selecting the best material for your furniture according to the usage purpose, as material plays a very important role in the durability of the product.

Before thinking about buying furniture/ developing new furniture at your home, the important aspect on which you should focus first is to think about the functionality you need in that product. According to which you would be able to know how strong the product should be and what are the specifications the material should have. This would help you in getting the best board for your furniture.


Now is the time to explore the types of boards that are used in the making of different furniture, their usage, size, thickness, and what are their advantages and disadvantages. This would help you in buying the best quality furniture products and also if you are thinking to hire someone to design for you, you should be aware of which is the best material for your furniture and you can guide them.

I. Plyboard

Considered as the best quality

Thickness: 6mm to 25mm

Usage/Application

Used for a wide range of:

  • structural,

  • interior and exterior applications

For example: used in construction, in making indoor furniture, ceiling, etc.

Size: 8' x 4'

Advantages:

  • It can be made out of different wood species

  • Very good strength and durability

  • It is less susceptible to water damage

  • can be easily polished or painted

  • provide a smooth surface for laminate

  • hold screws well

  • resistive to shrinking, warping, twisting and cracking

  • economical as compared to solid wood

Disadvantages:

  • layers of veneers are seen at the edges, the edges have to be finished either with laminate or veneer.

  • often splinter come out from the edges during transportation

  • It is difficult to cut

II. Blockboard

Thickness: 12mm to 50mm

Usage/Application

Used to make

  • doors,

  • tables,

  • shelves,

  • paneling

  • partition walls

Size: 6’x4’, 7’x4’, 8' x 4'

Advantages:

  • Stability of the blockboard is good

  • inexpensive

  • Block boards are good for screwing and nailing.

  • Lightweight

  • Resistant to both water and humidity

Disadvantages:

  • are weaker, don’t have long durability

  • Screwing and nailing should be done with full care else it may crack

  • Shrinkage and swelling of the board may occur.

III. MDF board

Thickness: 9mm to 25mm

Usage/Application

Used to make

  • furniture,

  • cabinetry,

  • flooring

  • speaker boxes

Should not be used for exteriors.

Size: Vary with thickness

Advantages:

  • MDF is generally cheaper than plywood

  • The surface of MDF is very smooth which makes it a great surface for painting

  • Because of the smooth edges, you can use a router to create decorative edges.

Disadvantages:

  • MDF can soak up water and other liquids like a sponge and can swell

  • MDF does not hold screws

  • It is difficult to work with MDF as it is a heavy material.

IV. HDF board

Thickness: 18mm

Usage/Application

Used in

  • construction,

  • flooring,

  • furniture,

  • home appliances,

  • automobiles

  • cabinetry

Should not be used for exteriors.

Size: 8 x 6, 8 x 4, 8 x 3, 6 x 4 Feet

Advantages:

  • Inexpensive

  • Available in large size and allows you to cut according to your need

  • It is easy to create joints

  • No need for the sandpaper to make it smooth

  • You can paint it according to your need

Disadvantages:

  • it is affected by water

  • It is not durable

V. Particle Board

Thickness: 9mm, 11mm, 12mm, 17mm, 18mm, & 25mm

Usage/Application

Used in

  • Flooring

  • False ceiling

  • Wall paneling

  • As core material indoors

  • Furniture: kitchen cabinets, storage units, countertops, tabletops, wardrobes, and dressing units

Size: 9 x 6, 9 x 3, 8 x 6, 8 x 4, 8 x 3, 6 x 4, 6 x 3 (Feets)

Advantages:

  • Light-weight

  • Easy hold nail

  • Environmentally friendly and renewable

  • Thermal and soundproof

  • Easy laminate

Disadvantages:

  • Low on strength

  • Low life, low durability

  • Warp in moisture and humidity

  • Cannot support heavy loads

VI. Bagasse Board

Similar to Particle Board

Thickness: 9mm, 17mm

Usage/Application

Can be used as a substitute for plywood. It is widely used for partition and in Furniture.

Size: 8’x4’

Advantages:

  • Light-weight

  • Easy hold nail

  • Environmentally friendly and renewable

  • Thermal and soundproof

  • Easy laminate

Disadvantages:

  • Low on strength

  • Low life, low durability

  • Warp in moisture and humidity

  • Cannot support heavy loads

VII. Flush door board

Thickness: 20 mm and 32 mm

Usage/Application

Used mainly to create doors. Can also be used to create heavy and strong furniture like storage units, beds, etc.

Size: 9’x3’, 7x3 feet

Advantages:

  • Very strong

  • Any kind of screw and nails can be inserted

  • Can be used to make durable furniture which can bear heavy loads

  • Less prone to scratches

Disadvantages:

  • It can’t be used in the products which need to be kept in the sun as rain would affect the material

  • It is heavy and difficult to handle

  • It is difficult to repair it

The quality of the furniture totally depends on the type of wood used to make it. So choose your Board/Furniture wisely, by seeing all the specifications and the advantages and disadvantages of the board used.


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Written by: Anmol Yadav

Designed by: Parul Yadav

August 7, 2020