Medium, plywood, particle board: what are the differences and what are they used for?

Medium (Medium Density Fiberboard)

• Composition: wood fibers + resin → homogeneous and smooth panel.

• Advantages: clean machining (profiles, grooves), ideal surface for veneer or lacquer; sharp edges.

• Limitations: heavier than plywood with equivalent rigidity; sensitivity to water if not waterproof.

• Uses in our products: decorative facades, profiled doors, veneered tops with demanding finishes.

• Health/emissions: panels of class E0 / CARB P2 depending on models.

Plywood (CP)

• Composition: crossed wood veneers → excellent rigidity and stability.

• Advantages: good stiffness/weight ratio, better screw retention than MDF/particle board, performs well over long spans.

• Limitations: more expensive; “multi-ply” edge appearance that needs finishing (ABS/wood edge or solid wood strip on sensitive areas).

• Uses in our products: large structural surfaces (back of furniture), high-end grooved backs, elements that need to support/carry.

Particle Board (not used in our furniture)

• Composition: chips + resin → economical and flat panel.

• Advantages: good cost/flatness, accepts veneer or melamine decor.

• Limitations: lower screw retention, sensitivity to moisture, best reserved for less stressed areas.

• Uses in our products: None. We do not use this material as it is deemed too fragile.

How do we choose?

• Long spans / priority on rigidity → plywood (with reinforcements/central legs if necessary).

• Quality of machining/finishing (profile, lacquer, precise veneer) → Medium.

• Edges & corners: protected by solid wood edge; on impact areas, we install a solid wood frame.

Takeaway: No solution is “universally better”. We mix materials to optimize stability, durability, weight, and cost, according to the design and use of the furniture.