Homeowners looking to reimagine their decor scheme may find themselves spoiled for choice in terms of material options. Yet despite our saturated market, solid wood has always been favoured. Unfortunately, with such a high bar in terms of costs, many homeowners are starting to see the advantages of switching to a solid wood alternative such as Particleboard (PB) and Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF).
These two exceptional alternatives to solid wood are made using a variety of wood fiber elements. When bought from Sonae Arauco, they offer a sustainable and eco-friendly option over and above a cost-effective design offering. In this piece, we’ll explore these two materials alongside highlighting the subtle differences between the two.
How they’re made
Manufacturers have long seen the advantages of PB and MDF. Both are considered composite materials with the benefit of being cost-effective and manufactured with a solid level of consistency.
In a nutshell, MDF is made from wood fibres mixed with resin and then sent through a hot-press machine. The machine compresses the mixture, cure the resin with temperature and pressure and forms the board.
PB is an engineered board made from wood chippings, sawdust, and other offcuts. The different types of wood are chipped and flaked are mixed with a urea-formaldehyde resin and sent to a hot press to cure the resin and to form the board.
Please read our previous article to learn more about the in-depth manufacturing process.
Material make-up
In terms of appearance, MDF has a smooth surface because refined wood fibres tend to maintain a consistent and uniform fibre size. PB, manufactured using flaked wood chips, is less smooth, with finer material on the surfaces and courser particles in the middle. Thus with a compact material makeup, MDF is also denser than PB.
In terms of strength and durability, MDF continues to outshine PB. This is once again owing to its particular construction.
Applications and key differences
Thanks to its sturdy frame, MDF makes for a good base for frontals and cabinetry. PB, with a lower resistance to load capacity, is more suited to decorative purposes such as backboards and aesthetic furniture. PB has a longer lifespan at an average of 25 years, which can remain in good condition for 10 years.
PB can be cut into components and has a good screw-holding capacity. MDF is more effective when manufacturing higher-end furniture such as shelving and wardrobes. In contrast, PB is more suitable for lightweight furniture such as shoe racks, cabinets and computer desks. Finally, MDF remains the preferred option for painting since acrylics tend to be absorbed by PB.
However, PB manufactured by Sonae Arauco is E1 emissions certified. Our engineered wood-based products emit less than 0.1 ppm of formaldehyde into the ambient air when recently manufactured and the emission reduces over time . Ultimately, a sustainable and eco-friendly product.
Product variants we offer
The various board substrates in Sonae Arauco’s product portfolio assure plenty to choose from, both for dry environments and when there is a risk of dampness. Thus making it possible to assure the best product solution for the demands of the application.
Please take a look at our Base Products.
Particleboard:
Novogold – A-grade material excellent for general use.
Novogold MR – A-grade material which offers an additional layer of protection against moisture.
Medium-Density Fibreboard:
Novowood – A solid MDF substrate suitable for general use and cabinetry.
To find out more about our various product offerings then please feel free to visit our Base Products page.
For more information on our wood-based decorative panels and services, visit us at https://www.sonae.projects.coppertable.co.za/