Particle Board Vs. Wood
Particle board is made from fine wood particles mixed with a resin and compressed into sheets. It's very consistent, perfectly flat and cuts easily. Real wood is comprised of connecting fibers. These fibers give it strength and beauty. Particle board is used in the construction industry while real wood is used for woodworking items. They can be substituted for each other, but its best to stick with each one's intended use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Characteristics
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Particle board is more efficient for the basic interior construction of cabinets. The dimensions of chipboard are exacting, and a sheet of chipboard is usually almost perfectly square and comes in any thickness. Wood can vary in thickness and is not always square. Particle board is also free from hollow spots and cracks and splits that are common to wood.
Wood Advantages
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Wood is far superior to particle board for cabinet doors and face frames, beauty alone being the deciding factor. Particle board has no grain. Wood has all the character and strength of grain patterns and growth rings and open wood pores that absorb stain. Wood can be made into molding or trim, while particle board is limited to building material only. Pound for pound, wood is stronger than particle board.
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Particle Board Advantages
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The absence of grain in particle board is not all a bad thing, though. Due to this factor particle board can be cut from any direction, thus utilizing the whole sheet. Real wood grain runs in one direction, making it difficult to utilize the entire piece of wood, as grain patterns won't always match up unless they are cut to match. Particle board scraps can all be utilized mixed, matched and pieced together.
Moisture Considerations
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The big problem with particle board is its vulnerability to moisture. Given even a minimal amount of exposure, particle board can sag, swell or lose its grip on screws and nails. Wood can also be affected by moisture but can stand up to water far better than chipboard.
Cost
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The deciding factor between particle board and wood is cost. A 48-inch-by-96-inch-by-3/4-inch piece of particle board costs about $18, as of 2010. A comparable piece of wood costs approximately $90 or more depending on the species of wood. In the construction of a normal house hundreds of sheets of particle board may be used. In comparison, only the cabinet doors, face frames and molding are made of wood.
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References
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- Photo Credit plywood texture image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
