what is particle board

Particle board, also known as particleboard, chipboard, or low-density fiberboard, is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. The particles that make up particle board are comprised of a collection of wood shavings, scraps, and other by-products from lumber mill operations. The scraps used to form particle board can be any wood byproduct collected at a sawmill such as sawdust or wood shavings. Particle board is cheaper, denser, and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when cost is more important than strength and appearance. Particle board can be made more appealing by painting or the use of wood veneers on visible surfaces. Particle board is not recommended for wet environments as it is prone to absorbing moisture, causing it to warp or grow mold and mildew. Particle board can be used as a substitute for plywood for making furniture, the interior lining of walls and ceilings, as a substrate for countertops, floor decking, roof sheathing, underlayment, and interior decorative paneling, among other things.