Manufactured Timber

Question 1

What does MDF stand for?

Answer 1

Medium Density Fibreboard

Question 2

Advantages of MDF

Answer 2

flat, smooth surface
cheaper to buy then pure timber
available in large sheets
doesn’t expand due to temperature
able to mimic pure timber
manufacturing costs are lower per product - less glue needed etc

Question 3

Disadvantages of MDF

Answer 3

easily affected by moisture
not a nice finish
normally needs to be laminated for use
cannot withstand high pressures compared to natural timber

Question 4

Advantages of Plywood

Answer 4

strong
flexible
comes in many sizes and thicknesses - many applications
resists warping
lightweight
crossing grains - increase strength in both directions

Question 5

Disadvantages of Plywood

Answer 5

susceptible to moisture
prone to splintering
crossed grains make sawing difficult

Question 6

Advantages of Chipboard

Answer 6

affordable
versatile
makes use of waste timber

Question 7

Disadvantages of Chipboard

Answer 7

prone to swelling and damage from moisture
less durable than MDF

Question 8

Advantages of Block Board

Answer 8

strong
durable
inexpensive
wide range of applications and availability

Question 9

Disadvantages of Block Board

Answer 9

not good for outdoor used
low quality

Question 10

Advantages of OS Board

Answer 10

strong
water resistant
available in large sheets
pliable
fairly affordable

Question 11

Disadvantages of OS Board

Answer 11

swells with water exposure
unattractive appearance
usually made with formaldehyde (poisonous)
heavy
not a good strength to weight ratio