What is the difference between plywood and particleboard

If those work for you, then you should definitely go for it. Think long-term and weigh the pros and cons of both the materials before making a decision. We hope this helped you. Have something more to add? Write to us at, editor livspace. In Diffe Know More. Srishti Jain April 30, What is a particle board? Made by compressing wood chips together Particle board is a wood-based material that is made by compressing wood chips with the help of glue. Advantages of particle board Particle board is light in weight Now that you know what particle board means, it is important to differentiate clearly between the advantages of particle board vs plywood.

The surfaces of particleboard is usually smoother than that of plywood Particle boards are created using scraps of other lumber products, which makes it environment-friendly Particle boards are very light in weight.

Furniture made from these boards is relatively easy to transport and move around Particle board is definitely more cost effective than plywood Disadvantages of particle board Particle board might not be very strong Now that you know the advantages of using particle board for your interiors, you must know that it is not perfect. The manufacturing process uses urea formaldehyde resin which can release formaldehyde gas Where to use particle board?

Ideally used in flooring and fittings Particle boards are versatile and one can use it in numerous ways at home. Grades of particle board Particle board is available in different grades that are defined by their usage and application.

Here are some grades that you can find particle board in: Industrial Grade M2 and M3 — Can be used in cabinets, furniture and fixtures Commercial Grade MS — Can be used in cabinets and laminated panels Countertop Grade M2 — This grade can be used in post-formed countertops and laminated panels Shop Grade M1 — Economy panel for non-structural applications What is plywood?

The layers of wood sheet in plywood are called piles Plywood is an engineered wood sheet material made up of fine layers or flimsy strands of wood veneers attached together placing wood grains together. Advantages of plywood Plywood is perfect for intricate wood-work Like every other material, plywood has some great advantages when it comes to being used in construction activities. When you are planning to use plywood at home, you should know why it will be a good idea: Plywood is considered to be stronger than other wood-based sheet products, like MDF Plywood has endless usage, both indoors and outdoors Different densities of plywood can be used for different purposes, which makes it versatile Plywood is a great material for intricate wood-work Due to the large panel sizes of plywood, you can use it to cover huge areas It can hold crews well Disadvantages of plywood Plywood can be a tad bit expensive Plywood is great but which material comes without any flaws?

It is a little expensive when compared to other wood-based sheets The edges of plywood have to be finished with either laminate or veneer Plywood is a little difficult to cut and mould Laminate sheets have to cover most commercial grade plywood Where to use plywood?

Ideally used for cabinets, doors and shutters Now coming to the real deal. Grades of plywood Available in various grades You can easily differentiate between materials by their grades. Each of these thin layers is referred to as a ply and the number of them impacts the quality of the finished board.

Since plywood is more expensive in most cases to produce than particle board, manufacturers will often use layers of more inexpensive and softer woods in the interior of the plywood in order to keep costs down. The quality of the glue is also a factor in regards to the overall quality of plywood. Manufacturers of lower grade plywood will often use an inferior glue in order to cut costs and this can lead to the plies coming apart on the finished product.

Plywood is rated in grades from A to D, with A being the highest. We use B grade plywood in the construction of our Expression and Harbour Series cabinetry. It is important to ask your cabinet manufacturer the grade of the plywood they use in the construction of their cabinet box if you opt to look elsewhere for your cabinetry needs.

The biggest advantage particle board has over plywood is that it cuts and shapes more consistently. It does not twist or warp like plywood and has a more uniform thickness, which allows for higher tolerances when cutting.

Many manufacturers are moving to high quality particle boards in their cabinet construction because of these reasons. The particle board allows us to manufacture the cabinet components to a more precise measurement than could be possible with plywood, which helps to give the cabinetry line its sleek and modern look. One thing that might be surprising about particle board is that it actually fairs better in heat and humidity than plywood, as it is less prone to warping.

This is particularly important to consider if you live in a humid climate, such as Florida. Like plywood, not all particle board is the same and this is important to consider when selecting your cabinetry. Stay away from lesser quality boards, as these boards tend to be poorly manufactured and are responsible, in part, for giving particle board an unfavorable reputation. One other advantage: particleboard is made from wood scraps. This means that particleboard is more environmentally friendly than plywood.

Specializing in hardwood furniture, trim carpentry, cabinets, home improvement and architectural millwork, Wade Shaddy has worked in homebuilding since Shaddy has also worked as a newspaper reporter and writer, and as a contributing writer for Bicycling Magazine. Plywood Vs. By Wade Shaddy. Related Articles. Strength Due to the way the two products are manufactured, plywood has more strength than particleboard. Finish One advantage that particleboard has over plywood is in the finishing.

Weight and Density For a project such as a complete set of kitchen cabinets, weight should be considered.