Gluing together wood particles with an adhesive, under heat and pressure makes chipboard. This creates a rigid board with a relatively smooth surface. Chipboard is available in a number of densities: normal, medium and high-density.

Normal density is fairly soft. High-density is solid and hard whilst medium density is somewhere between normal and high density. There are exterior grades of chipboard available but most are only suitable for internal use. It comes in a variety of chipboard-veneersizes so please feel free to contact us at Epping Timber for further information, or place an order by contacting us.

All grades of chipboard are a courser finish than MDF and most varieties tend to absorb water (except the high-density variety) which limits usage. Nevertheless, chipboard with a veneered surface is widely used for flat-pack furniture and work surfaces. However, high-density chipboard is often used as the carcass for kitchen units and worktops and flooring. Both types of chipboard are hardwearing, rigid and heavy.

MDF is an engineered wood product, manufactured from fibre and resin compacted together. The finished surface is finer than chipboard and therefore smooth and free of knots and grains typically embedded in raw timber, which means it is easier to work with and less time consuming for any timber project.

MDF has a wide variety of uses such as shelving, partitions, furniture manufacturing, craft, and doors.

MDF also comes in a moisture resistant variety, which has excellent strength, high quality, stability and a superior edge profile. The surface can be painted to achieve a high quality finish and provides a uniform substrate for overlaying such as kitchen benchtops or bathroom cabinets.

Epping Timber can supply all your MDF needs whether it be for shaping and routing, painting, cutting, machining, or just required for drilling without splintering or chipping. MDF comes in a variety of sizes and thickness so contact us for further information.

Masonite Hardboard has a lengthy history and is a source of strong, weatherproof panelling used for a huge variety of building applications. It is an engineered wood product whereby its uses have expanded over the years as a result of developments in its strength and weather resistance. Standard Masonite is the ideal general purpose building board for a host of interior applications such as furniture, wall or ceiling linings, underlay and cabinetry. It is able to be shaped or bent without splitting, splintering or cracking and therefore offers excellent machining and working properties.

Tempered Masonite is a tough, high density hardboard with superior strength and some water/weather resistance. It has been designed specifically to withstand the effects of high humidity or occasional wetting, or where increased strength is a necessity. Its uses include stage flooring, exterior doors, bench surfaces, signage, and wet area wall linings. Exterior Masonite is treated during the manufacturing process to ensure its durability, long-term performance, and high resistance to the elements. It is generally used for exterior cladding or similar applications.

Masonite comes in three thicknesses being 3.2mm, 4.8mm and 6.4mm. Length varies from 1830mm to 3660mm whilst width is standard at 1220mm. Contact the friendly staff at Epping Timber to order, or you can order online using this link.

Malamine MDF is a versatile board product providing a pre-finished hard surface that is ready to install, easy to maintain, and is stain and scratch resistant. It is typically used for lining cupboards, wardrobes, linen presses, doors, shelving, or furniture.

The melamine surface comes in a variety of colours and can be one sided, two sided, or a moisture resistant variety. Either way you can be assured of a durable, easy to clean finish.

Plywood was the first type of engineered wood product to be invented. It is made from thin sheets of veneer cross layered and bonded under heat and pressure with strong resin. This gives the ply overall strength and makes it resistant to cracking, shrinkage, and warping. Plywood is classified as interior or exterior and comes in a range of grades, thickness, lengths and widths depending on face and back veneer quality.

plywood4CD Plywood – used for Beams, Cabinetry, Furniture, Roofing, Crates, Walls, Hoardings and bracing. The ‘C’ grade finish suggests it could have filled splits or knot holes and is sanded, ready for painting.

DD Plywood – used for packaging, furniture carcasses, beams, internal structures, crates, utility buildings. The ‘D’ grade finish suggests the back has a rough, un-sanded look to be used in concealed areas.

Bracing Plywood – used for wall, roof and sub floor bracing.

Marine Plywood – used for building and construction where there is exposure to a high-moisture environment, boats, docks, and motor homes. Its ‘A’ grade finish suggests a sanded face and back and waterproof adhesive to resist rotting.

Other plywood such as Tongue and Groove flooring, AC/BB/BC exterior Hoop, CDBC Exterior Radiata, BB/CC Exterior Hardwood and Lightweight exterior Hardwood can be supplied at your request so please feel free to contact us.