Chipboard is not classed as a softwood or a hardwood. It is actually a man-made type of fibre board, also known as particle board. Chipboard is a widely used material in the construction and furniture industry. It is made of a mixture of compressed wood particles, shavings and sawdust, which are then all bound together using a synthetic resin. It is really popular because it is a very cost effective alternative to real wood and offers some advantages.
We answer a lot of questions about chipboard, but just below we have created a quick jump to section, if you want to know a specific detail. If you want to know just about everything about chipboard, then please feel free to read through the information below.
Chipboard vs other types of wood.
Chipboard is different from solid wood in both its composition and also in the manufacturing process. As you will know, solid wood is a natural material that comes directly from trees. Chipboard is classed as an engineered wood made from wood particles. Plywood for example, is made from thin layers of veneer which are then glued together, whereas chipboard is a homogeneous panel with a uniform texture.
How is Chipboard made?
Chipboard Applications & Uses
Chipboard is a really popular choice, mainly because it is one of the most affordable boards to buy. It is predominantly used in various furniture and construction applications. Along with the price, it is also very durable and easy to work with.
- Furniture – Chipboard is material used extensively for constructing cabinet frames, shelves, drawers, and other furniture components. Its smooth surface and ability to hold various finishes make it suitable for both functional and decorative elements. It will usually be covered with a veneer to make it look better. (White veneer remains the most popular but you can get other types of veneer)
- Interior Construction – Chipboard is also used for various interior construction applications. These include wall panels, door linings, and partition walls. Its versatility and ability to be painted or covered with various finishes make it a suitable choice for interior design projects.
- Flooring – Chipboard flooring is a popular choice for its affordability, ease of installation, and ability to provide a smooth, level surface. Tongue-and-groove chipboard panels are commonly used for attic flooring, shed floors, and other non-moisture-prone areas.
- DIY Projects – Its affordability and ease of working with make it a popular material for a range of DIY projects. It is commonly used for constructing shelves, cabinets, countertops, and other home improvement projects.
It can never be used outside as the rain will destroy it very quickly. It is also quite a heavy board. It is sold as a tongue and grove board which is ideal for flooring. The boards interlock together and that of course ensures secure joints and good overall strength.
Chipboard Properties – Pros & Cons
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Chipboard Sustainability
Chipboard is often considered a more sustainable option compared to solid wood as it utilizes wood waste and reduces the need for tree harvesting. However, the use of synthetic resins and manufacturing processes can raise environmental concerns.
Chipboard FAQ
Chipboard is strong. Its strength is really determined by its thickness and it is available in 15, 18 and 22 mm thicknesses. 18mm is used for flooring as it strikes a nice balance between strength and weight. 22mm is better for sheds or garden outbuildings as heavier weights tend to be kept in those. It is strong as long as the moisture is low. Anywhere that has a lot of damp or moisture is not a good area to use chipboard. However, it is not as strong as solid wood and may not be suitable for applications requiring heavy structural support.
Chipboard is a relatively lightweight material compared to solid wood. It is worth knowing that the thicker it is the heavier it will be. You can lift a 2.4 metre x 600 mm sheet of chipboard by yourself, but ideally it is a lot easier to handle with 2 people. If you need to saw it, again 2 people is better as it can be quite heavy to move around into various sawing positions.
Chipboard is easy to cut with a jigsaw or most saws. It does tend to leave a rough edge unless a really sharp blade is used. Like most particle boards chipboard is made from wood chips, sawdust and glue and when a blade contacts that there is disintegration of the material. It is always best to use as fine a blade as you can when using a hand or electrical saw.
This can be very problematic if it has a veneer as the edge will look chipped. A laminate blade which is very fine is much better to use for this type of cutting.
Yes you can as long as you use a primer first. It isn’t ideal to paint directly over chipboard. If you have to paint it then always use an acrylic paint. Do not use water based or oil based paints on chipboard as they will soak into the chipboard and it looks dreadful. When chipboard has a veneer on it, then you should first use a primer and then whatever type of paint you like on it.
You can plane chipboard but try to avoid that if you can. Chipboard is quite hard and the glue used is really hard and will damage the blade on your plane. Where possible use a sharp saw to cut or trim chipboard. You can also sand the chipboard but again it is tough to do. If the chipboard is covered in veneer or melamine, then using a plane doesn’t really work and will leave a horrible finish. If you need to cut a small piece of chipboard, a fine blade on an electric saw will leave about as good a finish as you can get.
We would never recommend plastering over chipboard. Plaster is wet and the chipboard will swell with the moisture. It is a better idea to remove any chipboard and replace with plasterboard which is designed for plastering over.
Chipboard can be brought to a recycle centre. Some gardeners will use this in their compost heaps. Organic gardeners most likely will not use it as it has synthetic resins, often including formaldehyde, and those are not suitable for any type of vegetable plots.
We would never recommend using chipboard outside as it can not deal with moisture of any kind. Some chipboards are sold as moisture resistant, but that refers to internal moisture. For example, an internal floor inside a house will get very little moisture so perfect for using there. With sheds and outbuildings, a moisture treated chipboard will also be OK. However, if any chipboard is exposed to rain, then it will eventually disintegrate.
Chipboard is neither a softwood or a hard wood. It is a manmade particle board that uses wood chips, sawdust and glue which is compressed and formed into boards.
Chipboard is very popular for large areas of flooring. It is also used extensively in the construction and furniture industry. The reasons for its popularity is that, compared to buying real wood, chipboard is affordable, durable and easy to work with. Just be aware that it does have its limitations and isn’t suitable for all projects.
Resources for further explanation
- Wood Products Manufacturers Association: https://www.wpma.org/
- National Wood Flooring Association: https://nwfa.org/