FIBERBOARD
Fiberboard, or hardboard, is pressed into mats much like particleboard, but because the wood particles are reduced to individual fibers, the result is a thin, hard and dense sheet with smooth surfaces. Hardboard comes in three grades: standard, tempered and service. Tempered hardboard is harder, heavier and more water-resistant than the two other types. Thicknesses range from Vi 2 to 5/i6 inch. Another variety, called medium-density fiberboard (MDF), features a fine surface texture with faces and edges almost as workable as solid wood. MDF is available in thicknesses from Vi to 1 Vi inch and can be bought with veneered surfaces.
WORKING CHARACTERISTICS OF MANUFACTURED BOARDS
|
BOARD TYPE |
WORKABILITY |
FASTENING |
VENEERING |
FINISHING |
|
Plywood |
Easy to work; fine face veneers need little sanding |
Face holds fasteners well, but edges often split. Bore pilot holes; screw diameter should not exceed one-quarter of panel thickness |
Softwood plywood can be veneered |
Premium and good grades of hardwood plywood need little finishing; sound grade can be painted; softwood plywood grades N and A can be painted or finished |
|
Particleboard |
Difficult to work; use of carbide tipped tools recommended; wear a dust mask when working |
Hold on fasteners poor; bore pilot holes. Use finishing nails and dry wall screws |
Multi-layer and graded-density particleboard excellent for veneering |
Multi-layer particleboard accepts most finishes; other types not suitable for painting or finishing. |
|
Hardboard |
Edges easy to rout, shape or groove; sanding of faces not required. Use of carbide tipped tools recommended |
Face of tempered hardboard holds screws well, (other types not as well) Bore pilot holes and use sheet metal screws |
Tempered hardboard can be veneered |
Accepts most finishes |
|
Medium-density fiberboard |
Edges easy to rout, shape or groove; sanding of faces not required. Use of carbide tipped tools recommended |
Hold on nails excellent; hold on screws poor |
Can be covered with thin veneer |
Can be finished or painted |
|
|
