Buying Guide for Panel Furniture: MDF vs. Particleboard vs. Plywood

Particleboard, MDF, plywood, OSB... too many types of panel to choose from? How do you read formaldehyde ratings? How important is edge banding? This guide breaks it all down from a materials science perspective.

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1. Detailed Breakdown of Common Panel Types

1. Particleboard (Chipboard)

Manufacturing Process

• Wood chips/particles → Glue application → High-temperature, high-pressure molding
• Surface is typically laminated with melamine paper

Performance Parameters

• Density: 0.5-0.75 g/cm³
• Screw Holding: Moderate
• Moisture Resistance: Average (depends on finish and edge banding)
• Eco-Friendliness: Depends on the adhesive used

Pros: Good value for money, resistant to warping, consistent quality in mass production Cons: Screw holding is inferior to plywood, edges are brittle, cannot be soaked in water

2. Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Manufacturing Process

• Wood fibers → Glue application → High-temperature, high-pressure molding
• Available in low-density, medium-density, and high-density grades

Performance Parameters

• Density: 0.65-0.85 g/cm³ (medium density)
• Screw Holding: Poor (loosens easily with repeated assembly/disassembly)
• Moisture Resistance: Poor (swells significantly when exposed to water)
• Eco-Friendliness: High glue content, higher risk of formaldehyde

Pros: Smooth surface, easy to shape, suitable for painted finishes Cons: Poor moisture resistance, poor screw holding, risk of formaldehyde emission

3. Multi-Layer Solid Wood Board (Plywood)

Manufacturing Process

• Thin wood veneers stacked with alternating grain directions → Glue application → Cold press/hot press

Performance Parameters

• Layers: 5-ply/7-ply/9-ply/11-ply (odd number of layers is best)
• Density: 0.5-0.7 g/cm³
• Screw Holding: Good
• Moisture Resistance: Good

Pros: Structurally stable, high load-bearing capacity, better moisture resistance than particleboard Cons: Surface is not as smooth as MDF, layers may delaminate

4. Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Manufacturing Process

• Long, oriented wood strands → Glue application → Hot pressing

Performance Parameters

• Density: 0.55-0.75 g/cm³
• Screw Holding: Good
• Moisture Resistance: Good
• Eco-Friendliness: MDI adhesive can achieve ENF grade

Pros: Structurally stable, good eco-friendliness (MDI adhesive), moisture resistant Cons: Rough surface requires finishing, limited shaping capabilities

5. Blockboard (Lumber Core Board)

Manufacturing Process

• Wood strip core → Top and bottom veneers → Gluing

Performance Parameters

• Density: 0.45-0.65 g/cm³
• Screw Holding: Good
• Moisture Resistance: Average

Pros: Feels close to solid wood, easy to work with Cons: Core material quality varies, may have voids

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2. Comprehensive Panel Comparison

Comparison Item	Particleboard	MDF	Plywood	OSB	Blockboard
Stability	★★★★	★★★	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★
Screw Holding	★★★	★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Moisture Resistance	★★	★	★★★★	★★★	★★
Eco-Friendliness Potential	★★★	★★	★★★	★★★★★	★★★
Surface Smoothness	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★	★★★
Shaping Capability	★★	★★★★★	★★	★	★★
Value for Money	★★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★

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3. Formaldehyde Grades – The Most Important Safety Metric

Chinese National Standard Grades

Grade	Formaldehyde Emission	Description
E2	≤5.0 mg/L	❌ Obsolete, banned for indoor use
E1	≤0.124 mg/m³	Minimum national standard requirement
E0	≤0.050 mg/m³	High eco-friendliness (not an official national standard grade)
ENF	≤0.025 mg/m³	Highest standard (new 2021 national standard)

Sources of Formaldehyde

• Adhesives: Urea-formaldehyde resin is the primary source
• MDI Adhesive: Formaldehyde-free, can achieve ENF grade
• Soy/Protein Adhesives: Plant-based, low formaldehyde

Buying Recommendations

• Cabinet bodies/wardrobes: At least E1 grade, ENF recommended
• Children's rooms: Must be ENF grade
• Kitchen/bathroom: ENF grade + moisture-resistant treatment

⚠️ Pitfall to Avoid: Don't trust labels claiming "E0 grade" without a test report. Always ask for a CMA-certified formaldehyde test report.

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4. Edge Banding – The Underestimated Key Factor

Edge Banding Types

Process	Effect	Aesthetics	Cost
EVA Edge Banding	Basic sealing	Average (visible glue line)	Low
PUR Edge Banding	Good sealing	Good (thin glue line)	Medium
Laser Edge Banding	Seamless sealing	Best (no glue line)	High

Why Edge Banding Matters

1. Blocks Formaldehyde Release: Poor edge banding = continuous formaldehyde emission
2. Moisture Protection: Panel swelling from water absorption starts at the edges
3. Aesthetics: Glue lines affect appearance
4. Durability: Cracked edge banding = exposed panel = accelerated damage

Recommendation: Choose PUR or laser edge banding. EVA edge banding on wardrobes tends to lift within 3-5 years.

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5. Material Recommendations for Different Furniture

Furniture Type	Recommended Panel	Reason
Wardrobe/Cabinet	Particleboard/OSB	Stability, value for money
Bookshelf (Load-Bearing)	Plywood/OSB	Screw holding, load capacity
TV Stand	Particleboard	Stable, sufficient
Kitchen Cabinets	Plywood/OSB	High moisture resistance needed
Bathroom Vanity	Plywood	Moisture resistance is priority
Children's Furniture	OSB (MDI adhesive)	Eco-friendliness is priority
Decorative Door Panels	MDF	Easy to shape
Tabletop	Plywood	Load capacity + stability

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6. Buying Checklist – What to Avoid

1. ❌ Buying without seeing a test report → Must check the CMA formaldehyde test report
2. ❌ Only looking at the panel, ignoring edge banding → Edge banding process is equally important
3. ❌ Blindly trusting "E0 grade" → ENF is the highest standard
4. ❌ Using MDF for kitchen cabinets → Will swell when exposed to water
5. ❌ Repeatedly assembling/disassembling particleboard → Insufficient screw holding
6. ❌ Using 3mm MDF for back panels → At least 5mm, 9mm recommended
7. ❌ Vague mention of hardware → Hinges/slides determine lifespan

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💡 Summary: The two core factors in panel selection are formaldehyde grade (at least E1, ENF recommended) and edge banding process (PUR/laser). Particleboard is suitable for most cabinet bodies, plywood is best for damp areas, and OSB is the most eco-friendly. Don't be fooled by fancy names like "XX eco-board"; the test report is what really matters.