When you’re looking for home interior furniture, there are plenty of different market materials available. One of the key materials used in home décor is solid wood. However, the major disadvantage of this material is that it is expensive. Today, furniture manufacturers are looking for new ways to cut costs using cheaper materials- like particle boards.
The adage “Never judge a book by its cover” rings true when it comes to Particle Boards. At first glance, particle boards seem like one of the construction plywood products, and many would assume that it’s not helpful for much more. However, if you explore a bit, you will know that it’s far from the truth, which brings us to the next question.
What is a Particle Board?
Particle board(sometimes called chipboards) is a low-density fiberboard made from wood scraps like sawdust, sugarcane fibres, sawmill shavings and other components. These particles are collected, ground, and pressed together to form a more solid product. A proper binding agent like synthetic resin is added, and when it is created, the particle board is the finished product.
Particle boards are economical and versatile, making them great substitutions for plywood. It is available in different grades depending on the size of the particles used in the material. The size of the particles often determines their strength, and the smaller the size, the stronger the particleboard.
The big question is, should you use particle boards? To answer this, first, let us have a look at some of the particle board’s advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Particle boards
- One of the main advantages of particleboard is that it is inexpensive compared to other products like solid wood and plywood.
- It is lightweight and can be easily transported
- It does not come with natural defects like solid wood.
- The smooth and flat surface easily allows for the sticking of veneer and laminating materials. Thin sheets of these materials can be easily glued onto the surface to add to their beauty.
- It’s easy to clean and maintain.
Disadvantages of Particle-board
- Particle boards are easily damaged since they are not strong enough like other interior materials such as plywood.
- Particle boards also have low durability.
- It comes with a low resistance to moisture and humidity. This is one of the significant disadvantages of particle boards since they can expand.
- Not eco-friendly as some types of particleboards are manufactured using a resin which can be harmful to health.
Usage And Applications Of Particle Board
Because particle boards are cheaper than plywood, they’re usually the choice of furniture for most woodworkers and wood users. Particle board is often used as an alternative to plywood or MDF to reduce construction expenses. Here are some of the uses and applications of particle board:
- Particle boards are used in flooring to protect the hardwood boards against scratches. In addition, particle boards are also used to make floors in temporary structures. Though they’re tough to install, they can be easily removed, giving you an added advantage if you decide to switch back to hardwood floors.
- Particle boards are used for making false ceilings. This is because particle boards provide good thermal insulation. They are also used as ceiling tiles in many types of buildings.
- Particle boards are extensively used in residential as well as office furniture to make dressing units, tabletops, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, bookshelves, shoe racks, beds, etc.
- Speakers are made of particle boards because they absorb sound. This is also why particle boards are used in walls and floors of recording studios, auditoriums and media rooms.
This was everything you need to know about particle board materials for home décor. When choosing these materials, make sure you select suitable quality materials that are long-lasting.
If you plan on purchasing particle boards, we can help you. To know more about particle boards, reach out to our expert team at AK Group’s Apple Plywood. You can view our work here or get a free quotation now!
