MDF, HDF, OSB, plywood or chipboard? Boards compared
Which sheet material for which job: MDF, HDF, OSB, plywood and chipboard side by side on strength, moisture, weight, screw holding and finishing. 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.
The Wood Guide · Wood species
Comparison · sheet materialsSheet 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
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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.
Click a chapter or use the arrows.
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.
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/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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
From board to furniture
Boards for indoors, solid wood for outdoors.
A question about materials? Just ask.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: OSB board: large pressed wood strands, visible along the edge — Elke Wetzig (elya), CC BY-SA 3.0 · Betula — Lutzeputz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Chipboard: fine particles on the faces, coarser chips in the core — Jckowal, CC BY-SA 3.0