Contents

Types of Wood ........................................................................................................................... 3

BENEFITS OF WOOD IN CONSTRUCTION ........................................................................ 3
LUMBER OR TIMBER? .......................................................................................................... 4
PLYWOOD................................................................................................................................ 4
Basic component of plywood ................................................................................................. 5
Uses of Plywood..................................................................................................................... 5
Types Of Plywood .................................................................................................................. 5
Grades Of Plywood ................................................................................................................ 6
PARTICLE BOARD ................................................................................................................. 6
Uses of particle board ............................................................................................................. 6
Flooring: ............................................................................................................................. 6
Flooring underlayment: ...................................................................................................... 6
Partitioning or Wall panelling: ........................................................................................... 6
False Ceilings: .................................................................................................................... 7
Core material for doors: ...................................................................................................... 7
Furniture: ............................................................................................................................ 7
Commercial industry: ......................................................................................................... 7
Advantages: ............................................................................................................................ 8
Low Cost: ........................................................................................................................... 8
Ready-made furniture: ........................................................................................................ 8
Pre-laminated boards: ......................................................................................................... 8
Light-weight: ...................................................................................................................... 8
Disadvantages of Particle Board furniture: ............................................................................ 8
Low on strength: ................................................................................................................. 8
Low life, low durability: ..................................................................................................... 9
Cannot support heavy loads:............................................................................................... 9
Not as eco-friendly as solid wood furniture: ...................................................................... 9
MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD (MDF) .......................................................................... 9
Uses of Medium density fibreboard ....................................................................................... 9
Furniture ............................................................................................................................. 9
Cabinetry .......................................................................................................................... 10
Fire Resistance .................................................................................................................. 10
Vapour Repulsion ............................................................................................................. 10
 Soundproofing .................................................................................................................. 10
Roofing ............................................................................................................................. 11
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) ................................................................................ 11
Advantages of Medium Density Fibreboard ........................................................................ 11
Disadvantages of Medium Density Fibreboard .................................................................... 11
COMPARISON: ...................................................................................................................... 12
Introduction
The chemical properties of wood are inherently complex, but even in spite of this challenge, human
beings have successfully harnessed the unique characteristics of wood to build a seemingly unlimited
variety of structures. This exceptionally versatile material is commonly used to build houses, shelters
and boats, but it is also extensively used in the furniture and home decor industry as well.

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of using wood as a building material is that it is a natural resource,
making it readily available and economically feasible. It is remarkably strong in relation to its weight,
and it provides good insulation from the cold. Wood is highly machinable, and can be fabricated into
all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit practically any construction need. Wood is also the perfect example
of an environmentally sustainable product; it is biodegradable and renewable, and carries the lowest
carbon footprint of any comparable building material. In addition, no high-energy fossil fuels are
required to produce wood, unlike other common building materials such as brick, steel or plastic.

Types of Wood
Wood has been classified into two categories:

 Hardwood - oak, maple, mahogany, cherry, walnut, and teak.

 Softwood - pine, hickory, beach, ash, birch, and cedar.

BENEFITS OF WOOD IN CONSTRUCTION

Wood carries several benefits that make it an excellent candidate for use in a wide array of construction
projects. One such benefit is its thermal properties, which give it an advantage in terms of its resistance
to high temperatures. Unlike steel, which can expand or even collapse in high heat, wood actually dries
out and becomes stronger as the heat increases. In addition, the heat conductivity of wood is relatively
low in comparison to other materials such as aluminum, marble, steel, or glass. This gives wood an
advantage in terms of being used in various applications such as matches, hardware equipment handles,
wall coverings, and ceilings.

Wood also contains highly-sought-after acoustic properties. It can absorb sound and echoes, and is a
favourite material of choice for the construction of structures where proper acoustics is important, such
as concert halls. Wood is resistant to electrical currents, making it an optimal material for electrical
insulation. Another important characteristic of wood is its tensile strength, which is its ability to bend
under pressure without breaking. Wood is exceptionally light in proportion to its tensile strength,
making it the preferred construction choice for surfaces that take a constant beating such as basketball
courts and bowling lanes. Tensile strength is also one of the main reasons for choosing timber as a
building material; its remarkably strong qualities make it the perfect choice for heavy-duty building
materials such as structural beams.

Of the many construction materials that a person can choose from, wood stands out as a unique and
amazingly versatile product. Its aesthetic appeal, tensile strength, insulation qualities, and ease of
fabrication enable it to remain a favorite choice for use in an extensive array of construction
applications.

LUMBER OR TIMBER?
Pieces of wood that are smaller than 5 inches wide by 5 inches thick (regardless of length) are generally
referred to as lumber. These pieces are machine-planed and sawn to fit certain dimensional
specifications (e.g., 2x4", 2x8", etc.) and are primarily used in residential construction. Pieces of wood
over 5 inches wide by 5 inches thick (regardless of length) are referred to as timber, and any timber
pieces that exceed 8" wide by 8" thick are referred to as beams. As timber pieces are larger in dimension,
they are often used to construct the frames of large structures such as buildings and bridges. Timber is
also commonly utilized in large quantities for railroad ties, mine shaft supports and crossbeams on
utility poles.

Another type of wood commonly used in construction is known as engineered Wood. As its name
implies, engineered wood is the product of a more intricate fabrication process in which various wood
strands, fiber , veneers, or other forms of wood are glued together to form a type of composite material
that is used for specific construction applications. Common examples of engineered wood include
plywood, glued laminated timber, oriented strand board, fiberboard, and particle board. Engineered
wood products are commonly used in a wide variety of residential, commercial and industrial
construction projects.

PLYWOOD
Plywood as a building material is very widely used due to its many useful properties. It is an economical,
factory-produced sheet of wood with precise dimensions that does not warp or crack with changes in
atmospheric moisture.

Ply is an engineered wood product made from three or more 'plies' or thin sheets of wood. These are
glued together to form a thicker, flat sheet. The logs used to make plywood as a building material are
prepared by steaming or dipping in hot water. They are then fed into a lathe machine, which peels the
log into thin plies of wood. Each ply is usually between 1 and 4mm thick.

Basic component of plywood

Plywood is manufactured from softwood, hardwood, or both. The hardwoods used are ash, maple, oak,
and mahogany. Douglas fir is the most popular softwood for making plywood, although pine, redwood,
and cedar are common. Composite plywood can also be engineered with a core of solid timber pieces
or particleboard, with a wood veneer for the face and back. Composite plywood is preferable when
thick sheets are required.

Additional materials can be added to the face and back veneers to improve durability. These include
plastic, resin-impregnated paper, fabric, Formica, or even metal. These are added as a thin outer layer
to resist moisture, abrasion and corrosion. They also facilitate better binding of paint and dyes.

Uses of Plywood
Plywood has a huge range of used within the construction industry. Some of its most common uses are:

 To make light partition or external walls

 To make formwork, or a mould for wet concrete
 To make furniture, especially cupboards, kitchen cabinets, and office tables
 As part of flooring systems
 For packaging
 To make light doors and shutters

Types Of Plywood
 Structural plywood: Used in permanent structures where high strength is needed. This
includes flooring, beams, formwork, and bracing panels. It can be made from softwood or
hardwood.
 External plywood: Used on exterior surfaces where a decorative or aesthetic finish is
important. It is not used to bear loads or stress, such as on exterior door surfaces, and wall
cladding.
 Internal plywood: This has a beautiful finish, for non-structural applications like wall
panelling, ceilings, and furniture.
 Marine plywood: It is specially treated using preservatives, paint, or varnish, to resist water
damage. It is used in shipbuilding, resists fungal attacks and does not delaminate.
Grades Of Plywood
Plywood grades are determined by strength, discolorations, surface defects, and resistance to moisture,
among other properties. The quality of surface veneer, type of wood, and strength of adhesive, will then
be allocated a particular rating. Each rating will determine the type of application the plywood is suited
for.

Plywood grades are N, A, B. C, and D. The D grade has several surface defects such as graining and
knotting, while the N grade has few of these. An “interior C-D” rating for example, indicates the
plywood has a grade C face, and a grade D back. It also means the adhesive is suited for interior
applications.

The unique characteristics of plywood, its cost effectiveness, and ease of use will continue to popularize
plywood as a building material.

PARTICLE BOARD
Particle board is gaining popularity as a building material due to its varieties of application and cheap
rates. Particle board is an eco-friendly material as it uses wood wastes such as wood chips, sawdust and
wood shavings mixed together with a resin to form boards. They are sometimes used as an alternative
to plywood or medium density fibreboard to lower down the construction cost. Particle board has a
wide range of applications, which a homeowner must know, before buying it. Here we brief about uses
of particle board in building industry.

Uses of particle board

Flooring:
Particle board is used as a flooring material in temporary structures where there is less application of
loads. Also, it is widely used as covering for hardwood floors, as hardwood boards have low resistance
to scratches to protect them. Wood veneer particle board or laminated particle board is used in flooring
where finished aesthetic look is desired.

Flooring underlayment:
Particle board is extensively used as flooring underlayment or as a base for parquet flooring, wood
flooring, or for carpets. For this purpose, the particle boards are treated with special chemicals and
resins to make them waterproof or termite proof.

Partitioning or Wall panelling:

Particle boards are used in wall partitions, as they are non-load bearing members in the structure. For
cost-effective options, particle boards can be used as they have thermal and sound insulation properties.
Laminated particle boards are extensively used in wall panels as they give finished walls. You can select
from a variety of design in laminated particle boards for wall panels.

False Ceilings:
Laminated particle boards and cement particle boards are widely used in false ceilings. Due to their
thermal insulation properties they are extensively used in false ceilings for centrally air-conditioned
rooms. Particle boards are extensively used as ceiling tiles for auditoriums, computer centres, cinema
halls and theatres and in as display boards in commercial establishments. In building construction, it is
used in false ceiling and panelling due to its thermo-acoustic insulation properties.

Core material for doors:

Particle boards are also used as a core material in solid core doors as well as in flush doors. Particle
core is the most commonly used in manufacturing doors, as it provides flat and smooth surface for
bonding with the door skin. It also has good screw-holding capacity for fixing hinges, unlike medium
density fibreboard.

Furniture:
There are numerous uses of particle board in furniture industry. Particle boards are extensively used in
residential as well as office furniture. Wood veneer particle board are gaining popularity as they are
durable and perform better in moist environment as compared to plain particle board. So, they are used
in kitchen areas and bathrooms in the form of modular kitchen cabinets, storage units, countertops, table
tops, wardrobes and dressing units. Plain particle boards are useful in interior areas like bedrooms which
have beds, wardrobes, storage units, etc. It is also used in making shoe racks, computer tables, book
shelves, television cabinets, etc.

Nowadays office furniture is mass-produced by using particle boards. Readymade units of office
furniture are directly supplied to the offices with decorative laminated particle board tops.

Commercial industry:
On commercial scale, particle boards are used in television, speaker boxes, sewing machine tops,
display boards, automobiles’ parts and in other products which requires furnished surfaces. Wood
veneer particle boards are very extensively used in this industry.

Particle Boards are a relatively new type of engineered wood product that are made from gluing together
small chips and saw-dust and firmly pressing them together to make boards or sheets. With particle
board furniture becoming more commonly available in the market it is useful to know how it compares
with other types of engineered woods such as plywood and with solid wood.
Advantages:
Low Cost:
The main advantage of particle board over solid wood or plywood is that its cost is very low. Compared
to plywood furniture of similar dimensions, particle board furniture costs less than half. This low cost
of course comes at a price, because particle boards are not as durable as plywood or solid wood.
Ready-made furniture:
Particle boards are machine manufactured to desired dimensions, and thus standard pieces of furniture
can be mass-produced using these boards. This further brings down the costs since there is no carpenter
work involved. This also means ready-to-buy products for customers with zero waiting time.
Pre-laminated boards:
A thin layer of lamination (decorative laminate) is usually glued over the surface of the particle boards
at the time they are manufactured. Such boards are called pre-laminated boards. Lamination increases
the beauty as well as the durability of the board to some extent.

On the other hand, when customers opt for plywood furniture they also have to separately select and
purchase decorative laminate sheets that will be glued over the plywood sheets. This further increases
the overall cost of the custom-made plywood furniture being made.
Light-weight:
Particle boards are very light in weight, and hence furniture made from these boards is relatively easy
to transport and move around. However, this while this can be said to be an advantage for some people,
it also is an indicator of an important drawback which is that the board is not as strong as other types of
wood. A general rule of thumb when it comes to selecting woods is that the denser the wood the stronger
it is. And denser usually also means heavier weight. This is why the solid wood furniture that lasts for
several years is so heavy.

Disadvantages of Particle Board furniture:

Low on strength:
Particle board furniture is quite weak compared to other kinds of engineered woods such as plywood.
It is less dense and can easily get damaged while handling. So, for those who need to shift from one
house to another quite frequently, it’s important to note that their particle board furniture may not
survive the ordeal.
Low life, low durability:
Apart from being low on strength, particle boards are also prone to getting damaged because of moisture
and humidity. This means that furniture made from these boards will not last very long. This is without
doubt the major drawback of particle board furniture.
Experienced sources and even some shopkeepers selling this particle board furniture clearly inform the
customer that they can expect the particle board furniture to last for around 2 to 3 years (and there are
others who will say the lifetime is 5 years). Now compare this with plywood which lasts easily for 15-
20 years, or with good quality solid wood furniture that lasts for several decades and is handed over
from one generation to the next.
Finally, the choice of wood depends on the needs of the customers, whether they want cheaper furniture
that they are willing to dispose of in the next few years or they want furniture that want to buy once and
that which will last a lifetime.

Cannot support heavy loads:

Particle boards are almost never used in applications where the boards will be subjected to heavy
weights. Being low on strength, particle boards are only suitable for holding low weights, or as forming
the walls of cabinets and the like.

Not as eco-friendly as solid wood furniture:

Particle boards are made from small particles of wood such as sawdust and small chips which are glued
and pressed together to form a sheet. The glue used is a plastic resin (phenolic resin), the same that is
used in the making of decorative laminates. This is not as eco-friendly as using good quality solid wood
furniture that is 100% natural.
So, to summarize the discussion, I would say that the only major advantage of particle boards is that its
cost is very low compared to all the other types wood available in the market, and the major
disadvantages are its low strength and low durability.

MEDIUM DENSITY FIBREBOARD (MDF)

Medium Density Fibreboard is a specially engineered product that is created from wood fibres. It is a
dense product and has many different uses in a variety of industries. Fibreboard is a sturdy product and
is often covered with a veneer and it can also include secondary raw materials such as fibres from
sugarcane and wood chipping. This is an incredibly versatile material to work.

Uses of Medium density fibreboard

Furniture
To begin with, many different furniture companies utilise specially measured MDF boards and if you
have ever purchased an inexpensive piece of furniture like a bookshelf or an entertainment centre, then
chances are they may be constructed from MDF.
Many different inexpensive furniture pieces are constructed from low to medium-density fibreboard
because this particular product is easily produced and is economical, which lowers the cost of
manufacturing and production.
Using low-density fibreboard typically reduces the costs associated with producing furniture and it is a
very common material that is used in the creation of prefabricated furniture.
Companies like IKEA and other big store companies offer products that are built from this material.

Cabinetry
Another thing that medium density fibreboard is known for is home interior cabinetry.
It's most common to find cabinets made of fibreboard and then finished with solid wood laminate on
top.
Home interior products like kitchen cabinets and shelving units are typically built from MDF and this
also includes doors, mouldings and sometimes even flooring such as wood effect laminates.
There are many different applications that can be integrated with using medium density fibreboard and
these are only a few examples of how it is used in home interiors.

Fire Resistance
One interesting use for medium density fibreboard that many people may not be aware of is for its fire-
retardant capabilities.
Certain buildings and structures require the use of fire retardant MDF in their construction.
This type of fibreboard is known to be used in the construction of commercial buildings which include
stores and offices and other buildings that must meet certain building regulations and requirements for
safety.
Some homeowners choose to use fire retardant MDF in the construction of their homes as well as to
provide further protection from any possible fires spreading.

Vapour Repulsion
Medium density fibreboard can also be utilised as a vapour barrier and insulation for both homes and
commercial buildings.
This is because it has a durability and treatment that makes it an excellent vapour barrier when used
with other vapour repellent products.
This type of wood is able to deal with long periods of moisture and drying out without being damaged
like shrinking or going through the process of rotting.
It can act as a vapour barrier and it can also offer insulation and prevent heat loss which would ultimately
help with lowering heating costs and electrical bills.

Soundproofing
This may not be as widely known, but fibreboard can also provide soundproofing and lower the ability
of sound to travel.
Many speaker manufacturers use medium density fibreboard or particle board because it absorbs sound
and prevents vibration from inside the speaker casing.
This wood product can also be used in media rooms, walls of apartment buildings and offices as well
as floor underlayment to help minimise sound disturbances and noise pollution.
Many different contractors and building companies use MDF for this particular purpose during
construction for the application of reducing noise and sound traveling.

Roofing
Another interesting fact about the versatility known for fibreboard is its use for around the home both
inside and outside.
Fibreboard can be used for all sorts of housing needs including roofing materials for low sloped roofs.
MDF is an excellent material that can be used as backing for shingles of any kind of roof.
You can also use it as sheathing for walls inside your home.
MDF is incredibly durable as well as flexible which gives it numerous applications when it comes to a
family home both in the interior and exterior.
Ultimately medium density fibreboard is a top-notch solution with many different uses and things that
it can be used for.
This list of common practical uses of MDF is just a short example and there are plenty of more uses
that MDF can be utilised for.
It will continue to be a cheaper option rather than purchasing timber products such as plywood and with
its numerous uses, it will always be a well-known and widely used material in the fabrication of
furniture all the way to the construction of buildings and homes.

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is an artificial wood product. Wood residuals are used to make
MDF board. It has a large-scale use in furniture making. Advantages and disadvantages of Medium
Density Fibreboard are discussed below.

Advantages of Medium Density Fibreboard

 MDF has economic value to common people as it is cheaper at cost and inexpensive. So, they
are within everyone’s reach to purchase.
 MDF saves trees as it is recycling process.
 It is easy to take any colour where wood takes long tenure for staining different colours
 MDF does not have knots or kinks which disturbs the smooth surface.
 MDF is resistant to some insects as some chemicals are used for the processing of MDF.
 It can be painted or stained and given a look just the same as real wood. So, it can replace the
place of wood furniture.
 Depiction on MDF is easier than on wood.
 To provide MDF a look like real wood veneers, laminators may easily be attached to it.
 The solid, dense, flat, stiff MDF is a good choice instead of wood.
 MDF has no grain as it’s not a natural product, it’s easy to cut, drill without damaging.
 It has excellent machining character for its suitable density.

Disadvantages of Medium Density Fibreboard

 MDF is comparatively weaker than wood. Furniture made up of MDF don’t last long. Though
MDF is cheap, it, on the other hand, is a loss of money.
  MDF can crack or split under extreme stress.
 MDF absorbs water quicker than wood. So MDF may swell and everyone has to become
conscious of using MDF.
 MDF doesn’t take nails and screws easily. During nailing, the fraction may appear around it.
Pilot holes should be used while screwing.
 MDF contains VOC, containing urea formaldehyde, that can cause irritation to lungs and eyes.
 Dust produced during the manufacture of MDF is very harmful to breathing.

COMPARISON:

Property PLYWOODS PARTICLE MDFs

BOARDS
Composition Plywood is made of Particleboard is a Medium density
thin sheets of wood combination of woodfibreboard (MDF) is
veneer that are chips, shavings, fibres,
made of very fine
laminated in and adhesives. wood fibres that are
alternating directions. glued and compressed
under great pressure.
Strength High strength. Low Strength. MDF is not as hard as
Plywood is good at Particleboard cannot plywood and can be
providing rigidity for support heavy loads. damaged easily when
structures. roughly handled.

Shape Deformity Cross graining of Expands too much due As the moisture
plywood improves to Moisture. content of MDF
dimensional stability changes, it is subject to
by reducing expansion dimensional changes.
and shrinkage.

Screw/Nails holding Nails and screws will
capacity hold strongly because
of its stronger cross-
grain pattern
The softer and more Because it consists of
brittle composition of such fine particles,
particle boards, may MDF doesn't hold
not hold up well screws very well, and
against nails and stripping of screw
screws, and could fall holes may occur in the
apart. long run.

Cost Around Rs. 50- Rs. 15-50/sqft Rs. 40-80/sqft

150/sqft depending on depending on interior
Brand and type of or exterior grade.
plywood.