Have you ever heard of manufactured wood? Probably. But you’ve likely glossed over the deep dive into the manufactured wood fabrication process, chemical makeup, and finished product characteristics, and for good reason…it sounds boring. Unless you have a thirst for knowledge in the wood sciences, you are likely not going to do backflips when the topic of oriented strand boards inevitably makes its way into your book club conversation. So, let’s cover the basics in a not-so-technical manner and see if we can’t have you hold your head high at the next book club meeting.
Veneer (The Diva)
Veneer has been around thousands of years old and is everywhere because making veneer is easy. Ancient Egyptians used veneers over cheap wood in their furniture and sarcophagi (plural of sarcophagus). Just take some wood with a pretty grain and cut it into thin slices. Now you have a layer of real wood that can make your table look like it’s giving off serious hardwood vibes but what’s underneath is a less expensive or ugly-grained wood. Many times, that “mahogany” table has about 1/16” worth of real mahogany.
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) (The Gym Rat)
Meet MDF, the chameleon of the manufactured wood family. Its consistent, smooth texture might trick you into thinking it’s solid hardwood, but a weight check reveals its density. If you lift your table-top only to find it is so heavy it feels like it goes to the gym when not in use, it’s a good chance you have some MDF going on. Packed wood pulp with resin as a binder makes this a good option for building all sorts of furniture. Also, MDF comes in a lot of different grades, making some better than others. Just remember that density is not synonymous with strength. Solid wood is always stronger than MDF. Finally, don’t get MDF wet. MDF expands when wet. Talk about swole.
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OSB (Oriented Strand Boards) (Not Russell Tyrone Jones (O.D.B.)(RIP)) (More Like if a Jackson Pollock (also RIP) was brown)
This manufactured wood type loves to flaunt rebellious strands and layers. The OSB is made the same way as MDF in that a resin is also applied to keep the fibers together. The difference is that the wood isn’t pulped but chipped. The chips end up going in all different directions, but as Pollock famously wrote,” Looks cool”. This type of wood is used primarily to bear a load on its side, which is why you find it in home building and wall construction. OSB may have a quirky attitude, turning your furniture into a canvas for its dramatic self-expression.
Plywood (Old School Got It Right)
This manufactured wood deserves a standing ovation. Composed of multiple layers of wood glued together, plywood is a structural marvel. Its strength and stability make it the unsung hero of furniture construction. Plywood has a unique quality; it is formed by layering wood veneers on top of each other, making sure to never align, but alternate the direction of the grains.
Immanuel Nobel, the father of Alfred Nobel (yeah, that Nobel), realized that several thinner layers of wood bonded together would be stronger than a single thick layer of wood and famously wrote of plywood in his journal,” Looks cool”. While plywood doesn’t engage in illusions like veneer or play the drama card like MDF and ODB, its layers can be subtly spotted along the edges, showcasing its multi-faceted characteristics.
Detective Tips: Unmasking the Manufactured Wood Without the Drama
Now, let’s unveil the secrets without unleashing chaos on your furniture:
- Veneer: The Visual Scour – Inspect edges for suspiciously perfect patterns. Impeccable grain? Watch out for veneer’s dress-up games.
- MDF: The Weightlifter’s Test – Lift with care. If your furniture feels surprisingly heavy, MDF might be pulling a density stunt.
- ODB: Strand Inspection – Get up close for rebellious strands and layers. ODB might be staging a dramatic takeover.
- Plywood: The Peek – Plywood’s layers can be subtly visible along the edges. Admire its versatility without the drama.
Conclusion
You are now equipped to navigate and book club, speaking on the magical world of manufactured wood and plywood in your furniture. Who knows what’s next in store for you (World Domination?)!