What is Engineered Wood?
Engineer Wood, also called
"artificial wood" or composite wood, or man-made wood is a versatile
alternative to hardwood. It is built from multiple layers of wood modified with
heat, glue, and pressure, each layer running in different directions, which is
more stable and provides better advantages than hardwood.
In this article, we will guide
you to Engineered wood types like Fiber wood, MDF, Plywood, Particle Board & Veneer
FIBREBOARD
Fiberboard can be considered
one of the ‘eco-friendly’ man-made wood types, as it contains recycled
materials such as sawdust, wood chips, paper, cardboard and plant fibers. It is
bonded together using wax and synthetic resin and then heated and placed under
high pressure to create larger pressures. It is an inexpensive alternative to
wood, which is useful for many construction projects and furniture. In support
of that, it is lightweight, able to withstand heavy loads and has good
insulation properties.
However, it is never as durable or strong as real wood. Also, it contains a chemical called urea-formaldehyde, which is released when the board is cut. For this reason, a dust mask and glass are essential, and cutting should take place in a well-ventilated area. Formaldehyde can cause cancer and lung disease.
MDF
The term MDF is often misused
to describe all types of fiberboard. In fact, it is only associated with medium
density fiberboard. It must have a density of 600 to 800 kg / m3 to qualify as
MDF. This aside, MDF is an engraved wood compound that echoes most of the
details in the fiberboard’s description, which includes pros and cons. The one
exception to this is because of the small fibres, it cuts well without ‘tearing
out’ or splitting. However, because the board does not have effective grains,
it does not hold screws or nails well.
Due to concerns about the
toxicity of the resins involved and the potential for VOCs to be released,
research has recently been conducted to provide new ways to bind the fibres.
Particle Board (Or Chipboard)
Again, this is one of the few
man-made wood types that uses the same manufacturing process as fiberboard and
MDF. However, in the case of particleboard large chips and flakes are used,
which create voids within the structure. These can be problematic when the
boards are reduced in size, causing tearing out or torn edges. Particle board
is seen as an inexpensive alternative to traditional wood, which allows for
more reasonably priced, lightweight furniture.
Therefore, this furniture does
not last as long as it is made from real wood or MDF because it is prone to
fight due to moisture and is very fragile. Similar to MDF / fiber board,
formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing process of some particle boards.
Plywood
The name comes from the ‘plies’ that are peeled from log
in sheets. These sheets, or veneers, are laid on top of each other at a 90-degree
angles and glued in place to form a thin but rigid, single board. The surface
of the sheet usually has a smoother finish and is of a higher quality than
those used within the structure. The rougher surface inside helps the glue to
bond and the smooth finish outside creates a better look. The cross-grained
structure of plywood makes it very strong and resistant to bending.
ALSO READ: ALL
YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PLYWOOD TO USE ON INTERIOR WORK
There are several types of plywood,
each with its own uses:
Tropical
- Widely used in the construction industry. Its low cost led to higher yields
in some areas.
Sea
- Designed for wet and humid conditions using tropical hardwoods and special
glue.
Aircraft
- Also known as ‘high strength’ plywood, it uses materials that resist heat and
moisture.
Flexible
- Suitable for creating curves on furniture.
Hardwood
- usually made from peach, mahogany or oak, this material is ideal for
heavy-duty landing.
Softwood
- usually made from cedar, fir and redwood, which is used for roofing and
flooring in general construction.
Veneer
The word ‘veneer’ can be
applied to any thin piece or layer of wood. It is used to provide an
attractive, finished surface, especially in cases where cheap material (such as
man-made wood types above) is used for the main structure.
Veneers are always valued by
high quality furniture makers, which allows them to achieve a beautiful finish.
It can be cut as thin as 0.6 mm, i.e. more material is obtained from one log.
In these days of increasing
environmental awareness, the use of a veneer is considered to be a great way to
increase durability. Furniture can be made using some of the examples above and
then stunned by adding a veneer that shows polished wood grains.
FAQs
Is Engineered Wood durable?
Good quality engineered wood is durable and resistant to moisture. Engineered wood is suitable for making modular kitchens, shelving, and cabinets, and can be finished with veneer or laminate. Furniture made of synthetic wood is affordable, easy to make, and durable.
Hopefully, this
article was helpful to you……………..
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