Our homes are no longer built of wood in the traditional sense of the term. However, wood and wood-like materials continue to be an integral part of home interiors. In fact, it is almost impossible to find a house that has no wood at all! But do you really know what kind of wood materials are being used in your home interiors? Can you look at a piece of furniture or a cabinet and tell what type or quality of wood it is made of?
Most homeowners end up paying hefty amounts for furniture (loose and modular) because they have little knowledge when it comes to wood materials. So here’s a detailed guide that explains all kinds of wood materials, mainly split into solid and engineered wood, so that you may make more informed decisions based on your requirements and budget.
Solid Wood
Solid wood refers to wood materials that don’t have any hollow spaces and are derived from the lumber of trees. It is categorised as hardwood—which includes Mahogany, Walnut, Oak, Maple, Cherry and Birch—and softwood—which includes Pine, Sal, Red Cedar and Redwood.
Features
#1: The unique grains and knots seen in solid wood give it a unique look that cannot be replicated
#2: Durable over decades
#3: Ages well over time since it is natural
#4: Can be restored and reclaimed
#5: Has to be protected from direct sunlight and moisture
Uses
- Wooden furniture
- Wardrobes
- Ceiling rafters
- Doors, windows and frames
- Partitions
- Flooring
Maintenance
- Clean any spills immediately
- Polish wood from time to time
- Maintain a consistent temperature and humidity indoors
- Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
Here is a detailed account of the 6 popular types of solid wood.
Engineered Wood
A derivative wood product, engineered or manufactured wood is made by binding or fixing the strands, particles, fibers etc. of wood together with adhesives or by using other methods to form a composite material. The different types of engineered wood materials have been listed below with their respective properties and uses.
Want to know more, read the engineered wood guide.
#1: Plywood
When thin sheets of wood veneers are cross-laminated and bonded with moisture-resistant adhesives under heat and pressure, you get plywood which is a type of wood material.
Features
There are three main types of plywood: HydraTUF ply, HydraTUF Plus ply and HydraTUF Max ply. They have:
#1: Uniform strength
#2: Flexible and bendable
#3: Moderately impact resistant
#4: Requires very little maintenance
It is pertinent to note that all three types of plywood are termite and borer-proof.
Uses
- Kitchen cabinets
- Wardrobes
- Furniture
- Panels
- Doors, windows and frames
Maintenance
- Dust with dry cloth
- Protect from moisture and direct sunlight
- Never use abrasive materials to clean plywood
- If there are nicks or scratches, gently sand the area
Take a detailed look at everything about plywood here.
#2: HDHMR (High Density High Moisture Resistant) board
This relatively new wood materials product that is superior to plywood when it comes to density and moisture resistance. It is also harder and denser than MDF and is very suitable for use in high moisture conditions.
Features
HDHRM plywood essentially has:
#1: High water and moisture resistance
#2: Heat resistant
#3: High tensile strength
Uses
- Kitchen cabinets
- Furniture
- Panels
- Partitions
- Shelves
Maintenance
- Clean spots instead of the whole area
- Don’t run, just make a clean swipe
- You can use lukewarm water to clean this material
#3: MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
First, hardwood and softwood particles are broken down into wood fibres. Next, the wood fibres are combined with wax and a resin binder to form panels by applying high temperature and pressure to form MDF.
Features
Things to note about MDF are as follows:
#1: Smooth finish and consistency
#2: Malleable and easy to work with
#3: More durable than a lot of hard woods
#4: Limited resistance to water, moisture and heat and hence should not be used in wet areas
Uses
- Partitions
- Shelves
- Wall panels
- Furniture
- Wainscoting
Maintenance
- Dust away with dry cloth
- Never use water to clean MDF
- Keep away from wet and heat-prone areas at home
Learn more about the uses and features of MDF.
#4: Particle Board
Particle board is an affordable type of wood materials. It is manufactured by pressing and extruding various wood wastes like wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even sawdust.
Features
Particle board as a material is:
#1: Eco-friendly
#2: Durable due to its consistent thickness
#3: Moderate resistance to warping and impact
Uses
- Cabinets in dry areas
- Wardrobes
- Ceiling panels
- Shelves
Maintenance
- Never use water to clean particle board
- Do not expose to direct sunlight
- Always clean and handle with care as it is not the sturdiest of engineered woods
Also, learn the exact difference between particle board and plywood.
#5: Blockboard
To make blockboard, you must glue together a core of softwood strips. The strips—about 25mm wide—are placed edge to edge between veneers of hardwood.
Features
Blockboard as a material is:
#1: Moisture resistant
#2: Heat resistant
#3: High tensile strength allows it to hold screws better than MDF and particle board
#4: Not prone to sagging and bending
#5: Highly impact resistant
#6: High thermal and sound insulation
Uses
- Mainly used for doors and windows
- Offers sound and thermal insulation when used as a ceiling panel
- Shelves
- Partitions
- Countertop
- Table top
Maintenance
- Relatively easy to maintain as it is a sturdy type of wood materials
- Wipe with damp cloth to clean
- You can use lukewarm water to clean blockboard
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