Chipboard panels: What is it?

Chipboard is a well-known term in the wood industry. It is a fibreboard made from wood chips. It is a good basic material for interior design, furniture construction and construction purposes. Order your chipboard cut to size so that you only have to assemble it. Chipboard is available in various types, sizes and thicknesses. With our professional saws, we ensure that the board material is accurately cut to size.

Construction of chipboard panels

Chipboard is easy to process and belongs, like MDF and OSB, to the family of fibreboards. Chipboard natural is made of glued wood chips that are pressed together in three crosswise layers. This makes the board structurally strong. In comparison to MDF, coarser chips are used and in comparison to OSB, finer chips are used. Because a waste product (the wood chips) is used, chipboard is a sustainable product and very affordable.

Properties of chipboard

Chipboard is produced using glued wood chips. This makes the board structurally strong. Because chipboard consists of more than three-quarters residual wood, it is a durable product. The smooth top layer makes it a frequently chosen wood type when the material is to be glued. The quality of the board material depends on the pressing pressure and pressing time. At TOSIZE.ie we only sell high quality chipboard! In addition, the material is lightweight, does not warp and is melamine-coated chipboard ready to use.

Decorative chipboard

Chipboard is also called furniture panel. This is because the material is also often used as a carrier for melamine boards. If you are starting a job where you don't want to buy paint and/or lacquer to finish a piece of furniture, choose melamine-coated chipboard.

Types of chipboard

Chipboard is available in different variants and is therefore a frequently chosen board material in the construction industry. Depending on the pressing pressure, pressing time and glue, specific properties can be added. The most common type of chipboard is natural chipboard. But there are also other possibilities. Read more about the different variants below.

Our range of chipboard consists of the following types:

Chipboard and moisture

Chipboard moisture resistant or waterproof is one and the same term. This board material may also be encountered under the name chipboard V313. Vochtwerend spaanplaat can be used in slightly damp spaces. These include floorboards and construction sheets for use in a barn or cellar. The moisture-resistant property means that the material will expand less quickly when the humidity in the room varies. The boards are not suitable for direct contact with water.

Lightweight chipboard

Lightweight chipboard made from poplar wood chips was developed especially for the core of a door. Poplar wood is inherently lightweight. In addition, the boards are pressed less hard, which results in a lightweight board material.

Fire retardant chipboard

In addition to moisture-resistant, brandvertragend spaanplaat is also available. This fire retardant variant is less likely to catch fire and also helps to prevent the spread of flame. This makes the board a good choice for projects in dry indoor areas where fire safety is particularly important.

Available thicknesses of chipboard

Common thicknesses of chipboard are 10, 18 and 28 mm. But chipboard is available in many different thicknesses from 8 mm to 58 mm.

Tips for assembling and finishing chipboard

The material is easy to work with, but due to the coarse structure of the chips, the edges may feel rough after working. Assembly is simple. Chipboard can be screwed, nailed or glued. Pre-drilling is not necessary, but due to the coarse structure of this board, it is important to use special chipboard screws when installing it. In addition, it is important that you use sharp tools when working with chipboard. Due to the coarse structure of this board, sawing and drilling tools wear out more quickly than with MDF, for example.

Chipboard can be painted with regular paint or latex, but for decorative applications decorative chipboard (finished with a melamine top layer) is more often chosen. If you choose to paint the material, it should first be thoroughly sanded and made dust-free. It is also important to treat the sheets with a primer or primer first. This is because the material is porous and absorbs paint more quickly than other sheet materials. In this way you have a good basis and the final paint layer will adhere better.

Common applications for chipboard

Due to the smooth base of chipboard, this material is often used in the furniture industry. But also, for example, when levelling floors or dividing walls. It is very versatile, which makes it suitable for many applications, such as knee boards, desks, cupboards, kitchen, bookcases and shelves. In decorative applications, decorative chipboard or furniture panel is often chosen.

Alternatives to chipboard

Are you looking for a versatile board material for your next job? Particleboard is the ideal choice when the base of your project is not in sight. Where OSB is the budget-friendly alternative for unfinished structural purposes, and MDF is the best choice for heavy-duty structural purposes, we recommend particleboard when you are looking for a lightweight and budget-friendly board material when it comes to furniture and structural applications.

Do-it-yourself projects with chipboard

Need inspiration or just curious about what you can achieve with this type of wood? Then take a look at our klusblog and maybe your dream furniture is already there!