Manufactured Wood – What Is It?
Manufactured Wood
When people consider buying a new piece of furniture, many factors go into the decision-making process. One that is often overlooked is the different types of wood available for purchase and where it comes from.
Wood can be manufactured or natural. Natural wood comes from trees that have been harvested from all over the world, while manufactured wood comes primarily from North America’s sawmills as well as fiberboard manufacturers using recycled materials.
This article will explain what exactly manufactured wood is, how it’s made, its strength, durability, and cost as well as some additional features to look out for when making your choice.
There are a lot of different wooden products out there. Most people use traditional wood to build their homes, but have you ever heard of manufactured wood? Manufactured wood is engineered from raw materials such as chips or shavings from hardwood or softwood.
What Is Manufactured Wood?
Manufactured wood boards, also known as Engineered Wood, are made from the identical softwood and hardwood that is used to manufacture dimensional lumber. The only difference is they are mixed with additives such as adhesives.
Manufactured wood often uses waste wood gotten from sawmills. The waste wood is treated through heat processes or chemicals to produce high-quality wood. The treatment is essential to ensure the wood meets the size requirements that are challenging to find in nature.
Engineered wood has seen popularity over the recent years. It is being used in various applications, including commercial buildings, home constructions, and industrial products.
In simple terms, engineered lumber can be described as lumber that comes from wood and is processed. It is processed to achieve something slightly different and performs in a better way than raw wood.
How is Manufactured Wood Made?
The way manufactured wood is made starts by taking logs from hardwoods or softwoods then slicing them into thin pieces about 1/4 to 1/8 of an inch thick. The pieces are then sliced into smaller blocks that can be used to make the manufactured wood panels.
Once the pieces are cut, they go through a high pressure (3000-5000 psi) steam chamber to cook them up and make them stronger. After the product is steamed it goes through a dryer which cooks out all of the water in about 15 minutes, leaving you with very strong wood made completely of compressed particles.
Types of Manufactured Wood
* PLYWOOD
Plywood is a wood structural panel that is considered the original engineered wood. It is manufactured from raw sheets of veneer that are cross-laminated as well as bonded under pressure. Durable and moisture-resistant adhesives are then added.
The natural wood formation and grain direction need to be altered to enhance strength and stiffness. Other examples of structural wood panels are the structural composite panels and oriented strand boards.
USES OF PLYWOOD
* Plywood is very important in the construction industry.
In many cases, Roofing plywood can be used as a cheaper option for ceilings in both commercial and homes. The best thing about plywood is it can be painted and match the color scheme of your home.
* Flooring
It also comes in handy while used on floors. It makes a house look beautiful and classy and can also be painted a dark color to avoid showing dirt.
* Wall sheathing
It is common, especially for wood houses. Many are times, wood leaves spaces in between that allow wind to pass through. Plywood is essential for interior walls and makes homes beautiful.
* Cabinetry
Cabinets are essential for all homes because storage is crucial. Plywood has become popular in making cabinets and helps you reduce the building cost.
* Interior walls
It is easier to divide your spaces using plywood because it is cost-effective and does not take up much space.
ADVANTAGES OF PLYWOOD
* It has an aesthetic look that makes it look original and beautiful. It changes the appearance of houses and wall cabinets.
* It has high strength because the normal formation of wood is altered to ensure plywood is vital to serving its purpose.
* Very durable, because it is strong, it means it lasts longer without having to replace it, thus giving you value for your money.
* Water-resistant plywood is manufactured to be water-resistant. Therefore, you do not have to worry about water damaging it.
* Easy to paint and polish, this means it’s easier to add beauty to plywood to match the interior of your home.
CONS OF USING PLYWOOD
* Easy to peel off, plywood does not require you to contact professionals to peel it off. You can easily do it by yourself, thus avoiding additional costs.
* It is not resistant to insects like all other wood products. Plywood is not immune to insects. Termites and other wood-eating insects love plywood.
* Cutting might be difficult. You have to be extra careful when cutting plywood because it can easily break. When broken, it will not be of greater use to you.
FIBERBOARD
The high-density fiberboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are manufactured by breaking down softwood and hardwood into wood fibers. It then combines them with a resin binder, wax, and forming panels by applying pressure and high temperature.
USES OF FIBERBOARD
* They are used in furniture making because they are beautiful wood and leave a beautiful finishing.
* Soundproofing comes in handy to make a room soundproof because fiberboards do not pass sound.
* Door and frames, since fiberboards are hard and strong, they are suitable for frames and doors. They also make the finishing of homes beautiful.
PROS OF FIBERBOARDS
* Durable, like most engineered woods, fiberboard is strong and lasts longer without needing to replace.
* Painting and staining are simple. There is nothing as good as wood that gives you the chance to improve its appearance, especially to go with the interior of your home.
* It is environmentally friendly. It’s essential to use materials that do not cause harm to the environment. Fiberboards come from wood and do not cause damage to the environment.
CONS OF FIBERBOARDS
* It is not water-resistant, unlike plywood. Water destroys fiberboards, making them lose the beauty and value it has.
* Difficult to hold nails; therefore can cause various inconveniences in case you need a nail to go through.
* It takes more time to install fiberboards require more time for installation, and we all know the more the installation time, the higher the installation price.
PARTICLEBOARD
Particleboard is manufactured from sawmill shavings, wood chips, sawdust, synthetic resin, or a suitable binder. It is then pressed and extruded. The oriented strand board also referred to as flakeboard, chipboard, and wafer board, is similar to a particleboard.
The only difference is they use machined wood flakes—this offers more strength. The advantage of particleboard is that it is cheaper, denser, and uniform than conventional plywood and wood.
USES OF PARTICLEBOARDS
* Flooring
It can be used as a flooring option because the manufactured wood is strong, and the adhesives hold it down together.
* Core material for doors
Mostly it is the primary material found indoors. It is cheap and strong; thus serves its purpose well.
* False ceiling
It also comes in handy if you need it to act as a ceiling for your home. It is a beautiful type of manufactured wood.
ADVANTAGES OF PARTICLEBOARDS
* Nails will hold very quickly; therefore, it is easy to use.
* It is economical to buy and is suitable for people looking for low-end furniture that still looks beautiful.
* Maintenance is very easy, unlike some engineered wood. The particleboard is easy to maintain and does not require a lot of monitoring.
CONS OF PARTICLEBOARDS
* Less strong than most engineered wood. Being less strong also means it is less durable than other woods.
* It is not water-resistant; therefore, it cannot work for places that often have water and will get damaged if it comes to contact with water.
What is the Strength of Manufactured Wood?
Manufactured wood is stronger than traditional wood because you use less raw materials to make it, so there’s more compression and less surface area. Manufactured wood has a great resistance against water and other elements.
How Long Does Manufactured Wood Last?
Because manufactured wood comes from many different types of wood, its lifespan depends on the type you choose. For example, if you use an OSB made from poplar trees, then the life expectancy would be around 15 years.
If you used an SCL product made out of Douglas Fir, then the expected lifespan would be 30-40 years depending on where you live and what kind of environment it’s being in. Because not all types of wood have the same life expectancy, it’s crucial to know what type of manufactured wood you’re going for.
Does Moisture Destroy Manufactured Wood?
Manufactured wood can be used in various conditions and climates as long as it isn’t constantly exposed to moisture. Water is considered a destroyer of manufactured wood because if there’s too much moisture over some time, then the material will eventually break down.
If you live in a place that has a lot of rain or other types of precipitation, then you might not want to choose an OSB product unless it has been coated with chemicals to help protect against water damage.
How to Store Manufactured Wood
Manufactured wood should also be kept away from extreme heat and cold. There are different types of manufactured wood that come in many colors, so it’s easy to match your home’s style.
What Does Manufactured Wood Weight?
The weight of manufactured wood will depend on the type and size of the product you’re using. For example, OSB 3/4″x48″x96″ weighs 35 lbs while OSB 3/4″x97 1/2” x 48” weighs 55 lbs. Since there are different sizes for all manufactured wood products, make sure to measure before purchasing because it can get very confusing.
The Cost of Manufactured Wood
The cost of manufactured wood can depend on many factors. The type, size, and brand are the main things that will determine the price of your product. Because it’s made from smaller pieces that are compressed into one strong piece, it costs more than regular plywood or pine boards.
Keep in mind that you don’t always have to pay for expensive brands; if you go with an unknown company, then there might be a chance to find something at a really low price.
Finishing Up
Manufactured wood is great for many purposes because it’s stronger than regular boards. It also comes in many colors so you can match the material with your home’s style. The only downside to manufactured wood is that all types have a limited lifespan, so if you use this product often then you’ll have to spend more money on replacements every couple of years.
But despite the price of new pieces, manufactured wood is worth buying because it’s easier to use than regular boards. Whether you’re using it for small projects or just want a place to sit, then you can’t go wrong with manufactured wood.
