Particle Board
Particle Board, also known as PB, is produced from rubberwood scraps of both large and small sizes or sawdust. These wood particles are compressed and bonded together using chemical adhesives. The board is then further compressed under high pressure. While Particle Board is not resistant to moisture, it can tolerate exposure to water due to its outer surface coating. The wood texture is cohesive but not dense, and the material is not resistant to moisture. The boards have a coarse and less dense texture, with small air pockets in the wood structure, making it the lightest among fiberboards. Its strength and hardness are lower compared to MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) and Particleboard. It is commonly used in furniture manufacturing or for built-in furniture frames. It is not typically painted but rather finished with materials such as melamine paper, laminate, or other substitutes.
Advantages:
Affordability: Particle Board is cost-effective, making it a budget-friendly option for various applications.
Ease of Availability: It is readily available in the market, making it easy to find and purchase.
Diverse Surface Finishing Options: Particle Board comes with a variety of surface finishes to choose from, including different patterns and textures.
Easy to Clean: Cleaning Particle Board is straightforward, requiring simple wiping or regular dusting.
Lightweight: With its light weight, Particle Board is convenient for transportation and handling.
Disadvantages:
Low Overall Strength of Raw Materials: Particle Board has a relatively low overall strength as a result of the properties of its raw materials.
Less Dense Wood Texture: The wood texture is not dense, limiting its ability to support heavy loads and making it prone to warping.
Susceptibility to Moisture: Particle Board is not water-resistant. Exposure to water and moisture can cause the surface coating to swell, and the wood fibers to become weak and brittle.
Prone to Swelling and Warping: The material may swell and warp when exposed to water, leading to deformities and reduced structural integrity.
Vulnerability to Mold and Fungi: Particle Board is susceptible to the growth of mold and fungi, especially in humid conditions.
MDF WOOD
Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a wood composite board with a moderate density. This type of wood is produced in a manner similar to Particle Board, where rubberwood sawdust or wood dust is mixed with adhesive and compressed using specialized machinery with high pressure and heat. When compared to Particle Board, MDF offers a smoother and more uniform surface due to the use of high-pressure machines.
The thickness of MDF commonly used in furniture production ranges from 3 to 25 millimeters. Despite its improved resistance to moisture compared to Particle Board, caution is still needed to prevent exposure to water. The outer surface of MDF can be finished in various ways, including covering it with melamine paper, laminate, and even applying paint to achieve a smooth and consistent appearance.
Advantages:
Cost-Effective and Easily Accessible: MDF is affordable and readily available, making it a cost-effective choice for various applications.
Dense and Fine Wood Texture: The wood fibers in MDF are dense and finely textured, contributing to its strength and durability.
Smooth and Refined Surface: MDF provides a smooth and refined surface, offering a sleek and consistent appearance.
Greater Strength: The material exhibits high strength, surpassing that of Particle Board, making it suitable for various load-bearing applications.
Good Water Resistance: MDF has better water resistance compared to Particle Board, making it more resilient to exposure to moisture.
Moldability for Curved Surfaces: MDF can be shaped and molded to create curved surfaces, allowing for versatile design possibilities.
Disadvantages:
Higher Cost: MDF tends to be more expensive than Particle Board, impacting the overall project cost.
Heavier Weight: MDF is heavier than Particle Board, which can be a consideration for certain applications where weight is a concern.
Limited Weight Capacity: It is not suitable for heavy load-bearing applications, as it may experience warping or deformation under excessive weight.
Generates Dust: MDF produces a significant amount of dust when drilled, cut, or machined, posing a potential health hazard and requiring proper safety measures.
Susceptibility to Moisture and Termites: MDF is susceptible to moisture-related issues and termite infestations, requiring careful consideration of environmental conditions and pest control measures.
HMR WOOD
High Moisture Resistance board, also known as HMR board, or Moisture-Resistant MDF, is produced by using a special manufacturing process to enhance its resistance to moisture. The process involves shredding and grinding eucalyptus wood into fine fibers. These fine fibers are then compressed and bonded together using a specialized adhesive. The resulting board exhibits high resistance to moisture without showing signs of swelling, warping, twisting, or buckling.
HMR board is particularly designed to withstand high humidity levels, making it a suitable choice for environments prone to moisture exposure. It maintains its structural integrity even in humid conditions, and it can be drilled, sawed, and shaped with aesthetic precision. In comparison to regular MDF, HMR board is known for its enhanced beauty and resistance to the effects of moisture.
Advantages:
Smooth and Even Surface: HMR board provides a smooth and uniform surface, contributing to a refined aesthetic appearance.
High Wood Density: The wood fibers in HMR board are densely packed, enhancing its overall strength and durability.
Cost-Effective: HMR board is more cost-effective compared to Plywood, making it an economical choice for various applications.
Excellent Water and Moisture Resistance: HMR board exhibits superior resistance to water and moisture compared to standard MDF, making it suitable for environments with higher humidity levels.
Heat Resistance: It can withstand high temperatures, maintaining its structural integrity even in conditions of elevated heat.
Precision Cutting and Drilling: HMR board can be cut and drilled without splintering or becoming fuzzy, allowing for precise and clean finishes.
Easy to Clean: Cleaning HMR board is a straightforward process, adding to its convenience and maintenance advantages.
Disadvantages:
Higher Cost: HMR board tends to be more expensive compared to regular wood options, impacting the overall project cost.
Heavier Weight: The board is heavier than standard wood, which may be a consideration for applications where weight is a concern.
Lower Moisture Resistance: While it has enhanced moisture resistance, HMR board may still have lower moisture resistance compared to solid wood.
Plywood
"Plywood" is considered a higher-quality wood that excels in terms of durability and strength. It can withstand exposure to water to some extent, is resistant to moisture, and can provide protection against termite infestations. The manufacturing process involves peeling the outer layer of the wood, creating thin veneers, also known as "veneer." These veneers are then compressed together into layers, using a special adhesive for bonding. Each veneer used to compose the plywood has gaps that run perpendicular to each other, creating a cross-grain pattern. This enhances the plywood's strength and prevents it from expanding or contracting significantly when the moisture content changes. After compression with special glue, the plywood undergoes chemical processes in the manufacturing facility and is covered with a veneer layer for finishing. Plywood can be made from various wood types such as oak, rubberwood, teak, pine, meranti, mahogany, and more. Standard thickness sizes for plywood typically range from approximately 3 to 20 millimeters.
Advantages:
High Strength and Durability: Plywood exhibits exceptional strength, resilience, and resistance to breakage. It can withstand forces from both directions, providing robust support.
Resilient and Flexible: Plywood is tough and flexible, resisting bending and warping easily.
Minimal Shrinkage and Cracking: Plywood maintains its original dimensions without significant shrinkage or cracking. It remains intact even when drilled, making it easy to shape and mold.
Easy to Shape and Mold: Plywood can be easily shaped and molded into various forms due to its resistance to shrinkage and cracking.
Customizable Special Features: Plywood can be enhanced with additional features such as water resistance, termite resistance, and mold resistance, making it versatile for different applications.
Aesthetic Appeal: Plywood can have continuous wood grain patterns, and its surface appears smooth, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
Disadvantages:
Relatively High Cost: Plywood tends to be relatively expensive as it is still produced from real wood veneers.
Heavy Weight: Plywood has a substantial weight, which can be a drawback for certain applications where weight is a critical consideration.
Limited Water Resistance: While plywood can withstand some exposure to water, it is not entirely waterproof, and prolonged exposure can lead to damage.
Not Ideal for Grooving: Plywood may not be suitable for grooving or carving due to its layered structure.
Challenging to Clean Without Coating: If not coated, plywood surfaces can be difficult to clean as they may not be entirely smooth.
Potential for Hazardous Splinters: Splinters may pose a risk, and proper finishing and sealing are required to minimize this risk.
Plawood
"Plawood" or "Foam Board" is a rigid plastic foam sheet produced from PVC powder mixed with additives, then shaped through a process of rolling and compression using rollers, and molded to harden quickly with water or air. This results in a sheet with a special, rigid surface on both sides. It has a white appearance on the surface, is smooth, and has a dense and non-porous core without air pockets. This material was developed to be an eco-friendly alternative to wood, helping to conserve the environment. It is a plastic suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, resistant to weather conditions, moisture, and mold. It is a lightweight material that does not ignite on its own. However, in terms of strength, it may not match the hardness of wood when used over an extended period.
Advantages:
Moisture Resistance: Plawood does not absorb moisture, preventing water swelling and eliminating issues with termites, ants, or fungi that feed on wood.
Weather Durability: Plawood exhibits excellent resistance to environmental conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Insulating Properties: Plawood serves as effective insulation against both heat and sound.
Versatility in Shaping: Plawood can be molded into various forms similar to wood and can be carved with ease.
Wide Range of Applications: It is versatile and can be used for various purposes such as signage, ceiling panels, furniture, and construction.
Disadvantages:
Higher Cost: Plawood tends to be more expensive compared to other materials.
Limited Flexibility: Without proper expertise, Plawood may be prone to easy bending or warping due to its lower flexibility.
Recommended Wood by Experts
After learning about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of wood, Lavaredo hopes that you will choose the wood that is suitable for your needs. We have designed and developed our products to be the most suitable through our expertise. Therefore, Lavaredo chooses to use HMR wood with Melamine-faced surface and a sturdy cabinet frame. This choice ensures high strength, moisture resistance, and heat resistance. Even in areas where you don't have to worry much about humidity, it guarantees relief from the mentioned problems. For the cabinet doors, we also use HMR wood, and you can choose the surface material you prefer, whether it's Melamine, Laminate, sprayed Hi-gloss color, smooth, or seamless, ensuring that your kitchen set is both strong and beautifully tailored to your liking.
If you are still concerned about spills and leaks in the sink cabinet, Lavaredo has solved the issue for you. With our sink cabinet, you no longer have to worry about the annoying problem of the area being frequently wet, causing the wood to swell and bubble. We use PVC foamboard, which is 100% waterproof, non-swelling, and non-absorbing. With various designs of Lavaredo, customers can use it with peace of mind for at least 5 years and beyond. Thank you.
source : 9889 Thailand
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