Hardboard is a thin, hard board made from strongly compressed wood fibres. The fibres are pressed under high pressure and temperature into a high-density board (typically over 800 kg/m³). It is characterised by a smooth top face and a rough, mesh-patterned back, caused by the press screen.
Properties
- Thin and stiff — common thicknesses range from about 3 to 6 mm
- High density — harder and heavier than ordinary chipboard or softboard
- One smooth side — suitable for painting or varnishing
- Not moisture-resistant — standard hardboard swells and warps when damp; oil-tempered grades exist for damp areas
Application
- Backs — of cabinets and drawers
- Underlayment — as a flat, thin base under floor coverings
- Cladding and panels — lightweight, flat finishing of walls and furniture
- Pegboard — perforated hardboard for tool walls
Points to watch
- Pre-drill and glue — screws hold poorly in the thin board; gluing or stapling often works better
- Store flat — boards curl easily; keep them flat and dry
- Do not confuse with MDF or HDF — MDF is thicker and dry-pressed; hardboard is thin and (classically) wet-pressed
Related terms
- Sheet material
- MDF
- Plywood
- OSB
- Wood
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