What is the difference between particleboard and plywood?

What is the difference between particleboard and plywood?

Sometimes we are challenged to choose different materials for the same task or furniture. You have to consider a lot of things like cost, durability, aesthetics, etc. Plywood and particleboard are similar types of materials that can be used instead or not. The use or application of these materials depends on many factors. While both materials have similar sheets and different thicknesses, you may not know how to use them at home. Here is a comparison of particleboard vs plywood.

What is particleboard?

Particleboard is a wood material made by compressing wood chips with glue. The wood chips in the surface layer are thinner than those in the middle layer, so the surface of the particleboard is denser and denser than the middle layer. The glue dosage for particleboard is 10%.

Advantages of particleboard

Now that you know what particleboard means, it's important to clearly distinguish the advantages of particleboard versus plywood. Particleboard has many advantages in its kitty that can make it ideal for many things.

The surface of particleboard is usually smoother than that of plywood

Particleboard is made using waste from other wood products, which makes it environmentally friendly

Particleboard is very lightweight. Furniture made from these boards is relatively easy to transport and move

Particleboard is definitely more cost effective than plywood

Disadvantages of particleboard

Now that you know the benefits of using particleboard indoors, you must know that it's not perfect. There are many disadvantages to using particleboard and plywood at home. Let's take a look at some of them:

Particleboard is not considered very strong or durable compared to plywood

The softer, more brittle composition of particleboard makes it vulnerable to damage

Particleboard loses most of its strength and expands in moisture

Particleboard can be toxic. The manufacturing process uses urea-formaldehyde resins that release formaldehyde gas

Where is particleboard used?

Particleboard is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways at home. It can be used for floors, fittings and fixtures, as a base for parquet floors, as a base material for covering strips, furniture, etc. The most exciting part about particleboard is that they can be used for many DIY projects because they are readily available and inexpensive. So if you prefer to build your own home, particleboard should be your first choice.

Grade of particle board

Particleboard comes in different grades, defined by their purpose and application. Here are some grades in which you can find particleboard:

Industrial Grade (M2 and M3) - Can be used in cabinets, furniture and fixtures

Commercial Grade (MS) – can be used in cabinets and laminates

Countertop Grade (M2) - This grade can be used for post-formed countertops and laminates

Workshop Grade (M1) - Economical panels for non-structural applications