There are five main types of man-made board available to the DIY-er. Each has different properties and not all are suitable for all tasks. All types of man-made board are generally cheaper and easier to work with that solid wood, and are available in a large range of sizes.
Chipboard
Made by combining glue with small "chips" of softwood under high pressure, chipboard is relatively cheap and found in a wide variety of modern furniture and other products. Standard chipboard can be primed and painted for use as a facing material. Available in large sheets and a variety of thicknesses (9, 12, 15 or 18mm).You can also buy thick melamine-faced boards which can be used for kitchen worktops and other areas where a smoother finish is needed.
Plywood
Plywood is made by bonding several thin layers of wood veneer (known as plies) under extreme pressure. The grain of each layer is laid in alternating directions to increase the strength of the finished sheet of plywood. Depending on the type of glue used in the bonding process, plywood can be used both inside and outside. High quality plywood can be used for furniture making and, when different veneers are used for each layer, the exposed end of the plywood makes a nice feature. Standard plywood is mainly used for construction purposes such as shuttering concrete. Plywood is available in large sheets at a variety of thicknesses from 3mm to over 18mm.
Fibreboard
Made from highly compressed wood fibres in a range of densities, fibreboard is used in a wide variety of settings. Soft fibreboard is often used for insulation and wall sheathing, as well as for products such as pinboards. Medium Density Fibreboard (or MDF) is a popular material and is available in both small and large sheets, in thicknesses ranging from 3mm to 25mm or more. It is smooth on both sides and therefore suitable for use as a facing material as well as being used as the carcass of modern furniture products. You can even buy thin MDF with grooves cut in one side to allow it to be formed into a smooth curve.
Hardboard
Like fibreboard, hardboard is made of highly compressed softwood fibres. Generally thinner and less strong than other man-made boards, hardboard is both a cheap and stable product. Standard hardboard is around 3mm thick and brown in colour, with a rough side and a smooth side. Generally used for the backs of flat-pack cabinets, small sliding doors and other products which need a relatively strong but lightweight board. It is also widely used fopr levelling wooden floors in preparation for applying other floor coverings (laminate flooring, etc). Available perforated, oil tempered, flame retardant and prefinished, among other finishes.
Blockboard
Blockboard is constructed of several rectangular strips of wood sandwiched between a double layer of pressure-bonded veneer. Blockboard is extremely strong and often used where structural strength is needed. As it is veneered, blockboard is also suitable for use as a facing...
Click here to read more from DIY Extra