Wood substitutes have added utilities as compared to plain wood.
Wood has many uses. From building simple furniture to house and building foundations, the use of wood has gradually increased over the years. Likewise, technological developments provided people with more wood options. Today, people are no longer limited to just plain wood. Wood substitutes now range from simple wood particle boards, marble-like editions and even gypsum combinations. The use of wood substitutes varies depending on the project and personal preferences.
Particleboard
Particleboard is also known a flakeboard or chip-board. This type of wood substitute is formed by combining wood particles with a resin-bonding agent. Through the use of heat and pressure, the two components bond together to form a board. However, because of its limited strength, particleboard is used only for non-structural projects. Commonly, particleboard comes in four foot by eight foot sizes. Board thickness ranges from 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
Gypsum Wallboard
Gypsum wallboard combines heavy layers of paper and gypsum. Gypsum is an extremely soft mineral made up of calcium sulfate dihydrate. Basically, the board is composed of gypsum compressed between the paper layers and bonded to form a strong sheet. Special cement is used to make sure that the board's joints are bonded together, and to hide the edges. Gypsum wallboard comes in different finishes. Some surfaces mimic tile or wood grain, while others have rough and unfinished surfaces. Gypsum wallboard is usually 1/2 inch thick. Some have tapered edges, and others have depressed edges. This type of wood substitute is ideal for spaces built to be sound-deadening. Gypsum wallboard is also extremely useful when combined with fire-resistant materials.
Hardboard
Hardboard is one of the closest substitutes for wood. It is composed of wood fibers heated and pressurized to bond as a hard component. Hardboard can have plain, smooth surface, or a glossy finish; it can also be made to be comparable to stone and tiles. Hardboard is strong, but can also be formed into different shapes. Hardboard is often 1/8 to 3/8 inches thick.
Fiberboard
Fiberboard is formed through the combination of vegetable or wood fibers. These fibers are compressed and hardened enough to form boards or sheets. Fiberboard is known for its good sound-absorbing qualities, as well as its role as insulation. it is soft and ideal for many uses. Commonly, fiberboard is manufactured in two by four foot and eight by 12 foot lengths. It ranges from 1/2 to one inch thick.
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