Know your wood

Clockwise : Solid wood, Particle board, Plywood , MDF board

Some of the common timber materials use in local furniture manufacturing:

1. Plywood
Pros: Can be bent, very durable, easy to work with, easily available
Cons: Difficult to cut bull-nose or round edge
Use : Most local custom-built furniture

2. Particle board
Pros: Very suitable for knockdown furniture, come laminated, flatter surface
Cons: Vulnerable to water or damp areas, tend to warp after sometimes, can’t hold screw or fittings well
Use : Most imported knock-down furniture

3. MDF board
Pros: Suitable for spray painting, easy to cut round corners, very smooth surface
Cons: Tend to warp after sometimes, can’t hold screws or fittings well, vulnerable to water and damp areas
Use : Most spray-painted furniture

4. Solid wood
Pros: Authentic look, very durable , can stain in deeper shades, very strong
Cons: Very expensive, limited by sizes, scarce resources
Use : For table, chair legs etc

Suitability
1. Plywood : Kitchen cabinet, wardrobe and all other built-in furniture.

2. Chipboard : Desk, low shelf, TV cabinet, sideboard – loose furniture.

3. MDF board : Coffee tables, bedside cabinet and low credenzas –
loose furniture.

4. Solid wood : Dining table & chair legs, beds and other furniture parts that need strong support.