FreeWhat Is Particle Board? Sizes, Uses and Strength
Particle board (particleboard, or chipboard) is made from wood chips and resin pressed into sheets. It is the cheapest sheet material and the usual core of melamine board and most flat-pack furniture. Raw particle board is used where it will be hidden or covered.
Particleboard sold for furniture
| Board | Thicknesses | Common sheet sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw particleboard | 10 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm, 38 mm | 2800 × 2070, 2440 × 1220 |
| Moisture-resistant particleboard | 18 mm, 22 mm | 2800 × 2070 |
Particleboard thicknesses
Particleboard is sold in 10 mm (3/8"), 16 mm (5/8"), 18 mm (11/16"), 22 mm (7/8"), 25 mm (1"), 38 mm (1 1/2"). For furniture carcasses and doors, 16–19 mm is standard; thin sheets are for backs and drawer bottoms.
Particleboard sheet sizes
- 2800 × 2070 mm (110 1/4" × 81 1/2")
- 2440 × 1220 mm (96 1/16" × 48 1/16")
Weight of a 2440 × 1220 mm sheet
At a typical density of 600–700 kg/m³:
| Thickness | Weight per sheet |
|---|---|
| 10 mm | 18–21 kg (40–46 lb) |
| 16 mm | 29–33 kg (64–73 lb) |
| 18 mm | 32–38 kg (71–84 lb) |
| 22 mm | 39–46 kg (86–101 lb) |
| 25 mm | 45–52 kg (99–115 lb) |
| 38 mm | 68–79 kg (150–174 lb) |
Advantages
- Lowest cost
- Flat and stable
- Good core for melamine and veneer
Drawbacks
- Weak edges: screws pull out easily
- Swells and crumbles when wet
- Rough surface, not for painting
- Shelves sag over long spans
What it is used for
- Melamine and laminated furniture (as the core)
- Hidden structures and subfloors
- Budget shelving
Tips for working with Particleboard
- Use particleboard or confirmat screws with a coarse thread.
- Glue and screw joints; avoid relying on screws alone in edges.
Frequently asked questions
Is particleboard the same as MDF?
No. Particleboard is made of chips and is coarser and weaker; MDF is made of fine fibres and is smoother and denser.
Is particle board furniture any good?
For dry rooms and light loads, yes: melamine-faced particle board is flat, cheap and easy to clean. It fails at the edges and joints, so it needs confirmat screws or cam fittings, edge banding on every edge and short shelf spans.
Furniture plans to build
All plans →
Related guides
MDF vs Particle BoardMDF vs particle board compared: density, strength, screw holding, moisture, painting and price. Which one to choose for cabinets, wardrobes and shelves.Plywood vs MDF vs Particle BoardPlywood, MDF or chipboard? Compare strength, sag, weight, finish, moisture and cost of the three sheet materials, and see which to use for each furniture part.