MDF, HDF, OSB, plywood or chipboard? Boards compared

Comparison · sheet materials

Sheet materials compared

Five boards that look alike in the DIY store and react very differently to moisture, screws and weight. Here they are side by side, with the best answer for each job.

MDF · HDF · chipboard
OSB · plywood
The right board for each job

fibre, particle, strand or veneer

Summary

The difference lies in what the board is made of

All five are wood, pressed together with a binder. What differs is the size of the wood particles — from fine dust to whole veneer sheets — and that determines almost everything.

Fibre: MDF and HDF

Finely ground wood fibre. Smooth, even, without grain or knots: ideal for painting or laminating. HDF is pressed more densely than MDF. MDF · HDF.

Particle: chipboard

Wood chips, sawdust and offcuts. The cheapest board, flat and ready for veneer or laminate, but sensitive to moisture and holds screws less well. Chipboard.

Strand: OSB

Large, oriented wood strands in layers. Strong in the direction you load it, and there are grades for humid conditions. OSB.

Veneer: plywood

Thin veneer layers, glued crosswise. Stronger than solid wood of the same thickness and much more stable. Plywood.

Side by side

The five boards compared

	MDF	HDF	Chipboard	OSB	Plywood
Structure	fine fibre	fine fibre, denser	chips	oriented strands	cross-laid veneer
Surface	smooth, even	very smooth	flat, coarse at the edge	visible strands	wood grain
Strength	moderate	high, stiff	low	high along the length	high in all directions
Weight	medium	heavy	medium	medium	light to medium
Screw holding	good (not in the edge)	good	weak, especially in the edge	good	very good
Moisture	swells	better than MDF, not waterproof	swells	OSB/3–4 for humid conditions	available with water-resistant glue
Finishing	painting, laminating	laminating, lacquering	veneer, laminate	leave raw, paint	lacquer, oil, stain
Price	low	medium	lowest	low	higher

OSB grades in one sentence

OSB/1 is for dry and decorative use, OSB/2 for load-bearing work in dry rooms, OSB/3 for load-bearing work in humid conditions and OSB/4 for heavily loaded structures in humid conditions. More in what is OSB.

Deciding

Which board for which job

Job	Best choice	Why
Cupboard or furniture you paint	MDF	Smooth, no grain showing through the paint, easy to rout
Back panel or drawer bottom	HDF	Thin, stiff and light enough for that spot
Cheap laminated cabinet side	Chipboard	Flat and cheap; use chipboard screws and pre-drill
Wall, roof or floor under the finish	OSB/3	Load-bearing, moisture-resistant, affordable
Workbench, box or furniture with visible wood	Plywood	Strong in all directions, holds screws well, attractive edge
Outdoors, unprotected	Solid outdoor timber instead	No board lasts as long

The weak spot

Moisture and outdoor use

Sheet materials are made to be stable in an indoor climate. As soon as they get wet, fibreboard and chipboard swell — especially at the edges — and never return to their shape.

For damp places there are special versions: plywood with water-resistant glue, OSB/3 and OSB/4. They can cope with moisture, but their edges remain the weak point. Always paint or lacquer the edges too.

For outdoor furniture: solid wood

A picnic table or garden bench stands in rain and sun all year round. No board can hold out there. Solid, pressure-treated or naturally durable wood can. Which wood to use: which wood can cope with moisture and the best wood species for outdoors.

Quick answer

Frequently asked questions about sheet materials

What is the difference between MDF and HDF?

Both are made of fine wood fibre and resin. HDF is pressed more densely: heavier, stronger and slightly more moisture-resistant. MDF is lighter and easier to work, and the standard for furniture you paint.

Which sheet material can cope with moisture?

Plywood with water-resistant glue and OSB/3 or OSB/4 are made for humid conditions. Ordinary MDF and chipboard swell when they get wet. Truly outdoors and unprotected, no board is as good as solid outdoor timber.

Is multiplex the same as triplex?

Strictly speaking, triplex is plywood with three layers. In Belgium the word triplex is often used for all plywood, including boards with more layers.

What is the strongest sheet material?

For structures, plywood is the strongest in all directions thanks to its crosswise-glued veneer layers. OSB/3 and OSB/4 are made for load-bearing use. HDF is hard and stiff but intended for thin applications such as flooring and back panels.