Chipboard, also called low-density fibreboard or particleboard, is a thick fibre ‘paper’, naturally made from recycled small timber strips mixed with resin.
Chipboard resembles cardboard in various ways. Typically, it is a type of non-corrugated cardboard, implying that it lacks corrugated fluting between the two layers, which creates the hollow in corrugated cardboard.
To get a better understanding of what chipboard is, it is worth breaking down how the panels are made.
After cooling, the board is trimmed and sanded to size and smoothness. Some of them are laminated, melamine-faced, or veneered to improve appearance and make them easy to use.
Chipboard has a wide range of uses. The most common applications are making a secure base layer for flooring (e.g., laminate, vinyl, solid wood, or engineered timber).
Chipboard is also used for creating cost-efficient flooring – mostly in areas where aesthetics is not that crucial, such as a loft space used for storage.
Here are some other uses of chipboard sheets:
Here are the main types of chipboard you can find on Sheet Materials Wholesale, to fit all your specialised projects:
These pre-routed or machined chipboards come with grooves to accommodate underfloor heating pipework. The routing helps distribute heat evenly and allows the pipes to sit flush and keep the floor even.
Based on overlay or deck boards, these chipboards are designed to reduce sound transference. They often have special layers and, at times, cement-based tops to help deaden sound in flats, multi-storey buildings, upstairs rooms, or where building regulations demand it.
These are chipboards with resin-impregnated melamine facing (one or both sides). They come ready to use and decorate without further finishing and are utilised in furniture, shelving, kitchens, cabinets, etc.
This is the most common standard sheet size used for general sheeting work, including joinery, partitioning, shelves, furniture, etc. Buying the standard size offers value, reduces waste, and is easier to work with.
Fire-retardant options are treated to resist igniting or slow fire spread. Our options combine fire performance with Euroclass BÂ and a P5 moisture rating to protect your walls and help your builds be safe and up to code.
‘Moisture resistant’ chipboards are designed to withstand humidity and moisture better than a standard board. They are often graded on the P-scale for moisture resistance (especially P5) and find applications in floors, lofts, kitchens, and other minimally exposed settings.
P2 chipboard is ideal for interior furniture and fixtures in dry conditions, and moisture exposure is limited. It has a smooth surface, excellent for veneering or laminating to add decorative appeal to furniture.
P5 is a flooring-grade chipboard that is appropriate for load-bearing uses where there is fluctuating moisture because of extreme humidity. P5 chipboard is typically used for flooring.
P6 is high-density chipboard with a well-sanded exterior. It is also perfect for laminating or coating for dry conditions. It is commonly used in making load-bearing walls, floors, and roofs.
To keep your chipboards performing at a high level, we stock edging materials that are often glued and ironed on to cover the raw edges of a panel.
We also have veneer and wood-look edging strips that come in at 22mm wide x 50m long and about 0.5 to 0.6mm in thickness.
Here are the key benefits of using chipboard boards:
Chipboard quality will vary depending on where you buy it. Sheet Materials Wholesale offers top-notch quality products at a pocket-friendly price.
Chipboard is used for a wide range of applications, including furniture, flooring, insulation, packing materials, and arts and crafts.
Chipboard is a lower-cost type of wood made from larger wood chips and resin, with a rough surface and low density. MDF, on the other hand, is high-quality, made from finer wood fibres and resin, and offers a smooth surface that takes paint well.
That depends on the type, but with great care, you can use chipboard for more than a decade or two. Reinforce it with the proper protections and ensure it is properly installed for the best performance.
EGGER U156 ST9 Sand Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.
EGGER U216 ST9 Camè Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.
EGGER U222 ST9 Crema Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.
EGGER U115 ST9 Carat Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.
EGGER U211 ST9 Almond Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.
EGGER U220 ST9 Soft Beige is a melamine faced chipboard (MFC) panel with a smooth, durable melamine finish on both sides. Ideal for furniture, cabinets and interior fit out projects.