1. Particleboard
Particleboard is a type of engineered wood product made from wood particles and adhesives, pressed together under heat and pressure. The surface is often finished with melamine, and its cross-section has a honeycomb-like structure. As a variant of chipboard, particleboard is crafted from wood scraps, ensuring a smooth and fine surface without knots or insect damage. It offers good stability and uniform texture.
Advantages:
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Decorative Performance: The surface is smooth and flat without knots, insect holes, warping, or cracking. It has high physical and mechanical strength, equal longitudinal and transverse strength, sound insulation, mold resistance, economic efficiency, and thermal insulation. It is more decorative than other woods.
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Low Warp and Deformation: Particleboard has minimal warping and deformation, excellent dimensional stability, high strength, and rigidity. It can support heavy clothing without bending, making it a primary choice in the European furniture market.
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Strong Screw Holding: The particleboard's internal structure allows strong screw retention, capable of holding nails and screws better than other boards, though not as well as solid wood.
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Good Workability: With a density greater than that of common wood, particleboard offers superior physical and mechanical properties, closely resembling and even surpassing natural wood. It can be processed using standard woodworking techniques, such as sawing, sanding, planing, drilling, nailing, and filing.
Disadvantages:
The use of adhesives in production affects its environmental performance, making it less eco-friendly than solid wood. The surface is not as smooth, and it lacks the flatness of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), making intricate designs and curves more challenging.
2. Multi-Layer Solid Wood Boards
Multi-layer solid wood boards are made by gluing and hot-pressing three or more layers of veneer or thin wood sheets. Common thicknesses range from 3mm to 18mm. Compared to standard plywood, multi-layer boards have less deformation, greater strength, and better internal quality, often with fewer voids and delamination issues. They use crossed layers of plywood as the base, with high-quality solid wood veneer or engineered wood on the surface.
Advantages:
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Stable Structure: Multi-layer boards are resistant to deformation and have excellent structural stability, which makes them popular among consumers. High-temperature and high-pressure processes address the internal stress issues of solid wood.
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Temperature and Humidity Regulation: These boards have excellent performance in regulating indoor temperature and humidity.
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Natural Aesthetic: The solid wood veneer provides a natural wood texture and feel, offering a strong selection for various styles.
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Eco-Friendly Manufacturing: The use of high-quality, self-made environmental adhesives ensures the product meets national standards for formaldehyde emissions, making it green and environmentally friendly.
Disadvantages:
Multi-layer solid wood boards may vary in quality; some might have lower environmental standards and complex structures that can complicate use.
3. Solid Wood Boards
Solid wood boards are made from complete pieces of wood, categorized by the type of wood used. These boards are not standardized and are distinct from engineered boards made from wood by-products and agricultural waste.
Advantages:
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Durability and Natural Texture: Solid wood boards are strong, durable, and have a natural wood grain.
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Aromatic and Breathable: They retain the natural aroma of wood and have good moisture and air permeability, benefiting health.
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Environmentally Friendly: Solid wood does not cause environmental pollution and is ideal for high-end furniture and interior decoration. Certain types (e.g., beech) are also used for gun stocks and precision instruments.
Disadvantages:
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High Cost: Solid wood boards are expensive and require high craftsmanship during construction.
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Limited Use in Renovations: Due to their high cost and the scarcity of wood resources, solid wood is not commonly used in extensive renovations. Using affordable and easy-to-work-with engineered boards is a wise choice, contributing to forest conservation and ecological development.
4. Blockboard (Lumber Core Plywood)
Commonly known as blockboard, this type of engineered wood is a special plywood used widely in decoration. It's typically used with decorative veneers or fire-resistant boards. High-quality blockboard can also be used as framing material. It consists of core strips sandwiched between veneer layers, typically five-ply. Blockboard's vertical bending strength is lower than its horizontal strength.
Advantages:
Blockboard is soft and easy to process, commonly available in thicknesses from 1.2cm to 2.5cm. It is suitable for general home use and larger cabinetry. The surface is typically white or light yellow, with the core strips pressed between veneer layers, giving off a natural wood and adhesive scent.
Disadvantages:
Due to the use of adhesives, blockboard's environmental performance and nail-holding ability are poor. The load-bearing capacity is unstable, prone to deformation and cracking.
Conclusion
In summary, each type of wood-based panel offers unique advantages and disadvantages, suited for different applications and preferences. Understanding these characteristics helps in making informed choices that balance performance, environmental impact, and cost.