Chipboard – Lasani (MDF) – Plywood
Which of the most affordable wood composite to use for your office or home furniture? You may be looking at products on our site and asking, what is the material we use to manufacture our furniture. We are using MDF, particle board, and plywood as per the requirement and need to maintain quality and durability. You’d be surprised many people really don’t know the difference. In this blog, we’ll explain, what the three types of wood are. We’ll also discuss the various grades of every engineered wood composite. Make sure you understand the pros and cons of medium-density fiberboard, plywood, and fiberboard to form your purchasing decision easy.
Chip board – also referred to as particleboard, low-density fiberboard (LDF), and chipboard – is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips and an artificial resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded.
Uses
Particleboard is often used in furniture and interior applications as it is more affordable than solid timber.
Large companies like IKEA have popularized the use of particleboard in furniture with their reputation of supplying particleboard, MDF or similar for a high quality, at a low cost. It is mostly found in furniture that need large pieces like table tops, desks, TV units and bookshelves.
Particleboard can either be bought bare or be covered with thin sheets of veneer or laminate . While solid wood furniture is taken into account to be more attractive, these materials can simulate the design of real wood, while costing marginally less, therefore may be a good alternate option when buying furniture on a budget.
Aside from generally being less costly than an identical piece made from solid wood, particle-board furniture does have a couple of positive traits. It will not warp, expand or contract like real wood, as long because the original laminate finish remains intact. It is quite durable under regular use and doesn’t dent as easily
Furniture made from particle boards lasts years or more depends on the surrounding environment. The reasons for damage could be wear and tear, humidity or even deliberate breaking.
In Pakistan you can get the top of the line particle board from Patex. Patex is the manufacturer of both veneer boards and laminated means artificially finished.
Advantages
- Low Cost
- Light-Weight
- Perfect for Ready-Made Furniture
What is MDF or Lasani?
MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard, which is an engineered wood composite made from wood fibers. Because the MDF consists of small wood fibers, there’s no visible wood grain, rings, or knots. The making of the composite uses the fibers, glue, and warmth to make a decent bonding board. Both softwood and hardwood are wont to manufacture MDF. Generally denser than plywood, this composition creates a stronger material for building. We use a veneer sealant to prevent water damage.
Followings are the advantages of MDF or Lasani:
- MDF 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 require any color where wood takes long tenure for staining different colors
- MDF doesn’t have knots or kinks which disturbs the graceful surface.
- MDF is immune 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.
- Depiction on MDF is easier than on wood.
- The solid, dense, flat, stiff MDF may be a good selection rather than wood.
- MDF has no grain as it’s not a natural product, it’s easy to chop , drill without damaging.
- It has excellent machining character for its suitable density.
Followings are the disadvantages of MDF or Lasani:
- MDF is comparatively weaker than solid wood
- MDF can crack or split under extreme stress.
- MDF absorbs water quicker than solid wood
- MDF doesn’t take nails and screws easily
- MDF contains VOC, containing urea formaldehyde that can cause irritation to lungs and eyes.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood product made from sheets of wood veneer. The wood veneer boards are pressed and bonded together to make one solid piece. This manufacturing process is named cross-graining and it reduces shrinkage and expansion while improving panel strength consistency. Different grades of plywood are used for different purposes. Plywood grades are suffering from many variables including the sort of wood ply, thickness, adhesive, and manufacturing/compaction process. Lower grades are perfect for subflooring in buildings and homes. High grades can be used for cabinets and shelving. There are many sorts of plywood to settle on from. Make sure to settle on the right plywood type for the furniture or fixture you’re building.
Types Plywood
Softwood – Grooved Flooring
Hardwood – Heavy Duty Flooring or Wall Structures
Tropical – Soft, Low Cost Wood
Decorative – Easy to Dye and Draw On
Marine – Used for Docks and Boats
Flexible – Used for Curved Wooden Parts
Aircraft – High Strength, Resists Heat & Humidity
If you ever wondered “what is that the strongest plywood?” The answer is Marine plywood. It is the strongest and toughest of all plywood on the market. It is bonded with high-quality glues to form the plies structurally solid and immune to moisture.
At Fink most of our furniture is made up of using the combination of Chipboard and Lasani (MDF). This made them long lasting and durable and cost effective.
