How To Choose The Correct Wood For Your Home DIY Project

When it comes to home DIY projects one needs to be sure of what wood to use for what type of project – otherwise you may land up using chipboard or MDF to make a garden planter and finding it has crumbled up like wet paper after the first rains. Yes, your wood choice matters – so read this guide before popping into your nearest hardware store and buying whichever board fits your budget or catches your eye.

For the garden:

When it comes to building items for the garden the best option is to use solid timber. Participle boards such as MDF and chipboards, and even plywood, should never get wet. Once these materials are wet they swell up and lose their density and the chemicals that hold them together. Once wet these manufactured wood boards lose their strength and will not be able to hold a screw and your project will most likely fall apart.

Rather use a solid wood and be sure to seal it appropriately for outdoor items.

For furniture and shelving:

When it comes to building furniture any manufactured wood board such as MDF, chipboard, or plywood, can be used – each has advantages and disadvantages. Solid wood can also be used however many prefer manufactured wood board as it is less costly.

Chipboard, also known as BisonBord, is best used where no routing or detailing is intended and smooth surfaces are not vitally important. Chipboard is often used under laminates, like PG Bison’s MelaWood, for cupboard carcasses.

MDF is great where detailing is needed – this product can be cut and routered with ease giving a clean finish. This is a great option for furniture that you intend to paint as the bare board is not as appealing as plywood as it has no wood grain. Due to the smooth surfaces of MDF it is ideal for painting.

Plywood works well for furniture or items that will not be painted as it has a wood grain and looks natural. However, one cannot router this product very well as it is composed of many wood layers. Making grooves in plywood often results in chips between the layers.

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