- Particle Board
Chipboard (BS EN 319) † bonded waste wood or chip particles in
thicknesses from 6 to 50 mm, popularly used for floors in 18 and
22 mm at 450 and 600 mm maximum joist spacing, respectively.
Sheets are produced by heat pressing the particles in thermosetting
resins.
Wood Cement Board † approximately 25% wood particles mixed
with water and cement, to produce a heavy and dense board often
preferred to plasterboard and fibre cement for fire cladding. Often
3 layer boards, from 6 to 40 mm in thickness.
Oriented Strand Board (BS EN 300) † composed of wafer thin
strands of wood, approximately 80 mm long ¾ 25 m wide, resin
bonded and directionally oriented before superimposed by further
layers. Each layer is at right angles to adjacent layers, similar to
the structure of plywood. A popular alternative for wall panels,
floors and other chipboard and plywood applications, they are
produced in a range of thicknesses from 6 to 25 mm.- Fibreboards (BS EN 622†4) † basically wood in composition,
reduced to a pulp and pressed to achieve 3 categories:
Hardboard density at least 800 kg/m^3 in thicknesses from 3„2 to
8 mm. Provides an excellent base for coatings and laminated finishes.
Mediumboard (low density) 350 to 560 kg/m^3 for pinboards and
wall linings in thicknesses of 6„4,9, and 12„7 mm.
Mediumboard (high density) 560 to 800 kg/m^3 for linings and
partitions in thicknesses of 9 and 12 mm.
Softboard, otherwise known as insulating board with density
usually below 250 kg/m^3. Thicknesses from 9 to 25 mm, often
found impregnated with bitumen in existing flat roofing
applications. Ideal as pinboard.
Medium Density Fibreboard, differs from other fibreboards with the
addition of resin bonding agent. These boards have a very smooth
surface, ideal for painting and are available moulded for a variety
of joinery applications. Density exceeds 600 kg/m^3 and common
board thicknesses are 9, 12, 18 and 25 mm for internal and external
applications. - Woodwool (BS EN 13168) † units of 600 mm width are
available in 50, 75 and 100 mm thicknesses. They comprise
long wood shavings coated with a cement slurry, compressed
to leave a high proportion of voids. These voids provide good
thermal insulation and sound absorption. The perforated
surface is an ideal key for direct plastering and they are
frequently specified as permanent formwork.
Composite Boarding and Sheet Materials