Block boards are an increasingly popular material used in construction and furniture making. The board comprises two layers of wood with a core layer of thick cardboard or paperboard sandwiched between them. These boards offer a wide range of advantages, including superior strength and stability, an aesthetically pleasing look, and cost-effectiveness compared to other boards.
What is Block Board, and How Is Block Board Made?
Block board, also called a lumber core, is a manufactured board resembling plywood. This product is constructed by sandwiching softwood strips between two layers of veneer–one layer consisting of either softwood, hardwood, or MDF and the other made up of pulp compressed at high temperatures and bonded together with glue. A well-crafted block board provides an aesthetically pleasing finish while ensuring remarkable strength due to its composite design.
What is Block Board used for?
From dining tables to wardrobes, processed block boards are now integral to furniture-making, utilized in everything from benches to flush doors.
When it comes to outfitting a home or office, block boards are a perfect choice. Here are just some of their many uses:
- Furniture making – Block boards are often used in furniture pieces such as beds and dressers due to their strength, lightweight, and ease of use.
- Cabinet making – When used for cabinet making, block boards provide durable surfaces that can be shaped or cut into whatever design you need.
- Wall cladding – Block board is commonly used in wall cladding, particularly in hospitals and schools. It’s strong enough to protect while also offering a sleek finish.
- Flooring – Block board is also great for flooring due to its superior strength and stability.
Not only are block boards practical, but they can also be utilized for decorative purposes. The veneer is primarily used on both sides to create exquisite furniture pieces, panels, partitions, and more that add an extra layer of chicness to any interior design!
In the commercial sector, timber veneers are applied to both sides for composing tabletops and seating in buses and train carriages. Block boards manufacturer in India and across the world produce these boards for making partitions between trailers and cabins in trucks, campervans, and other vehicles.
Types of Block Board
There are different types of available in the market. The most common types are:
Boiling Water Proof Block board (BWP) – Boiling waterproof block board is a resilient material that is perfect for use in moisture-rich environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens. This type of board is constructed with waterproof adhesives that endure high temperatures. And due to its durability and strength, this block board has become the go-to choice for prebuilt structures worldwide.
Moisture Resistant Block board (MR) – Perfect for humid regions, this moisture-resistant block board is invaluable in interior spaces such as partitions, ceilings, and wall paneling. With its incredible moisture resistance, it’s a must if you’re looking to create sturdy structures that can withstand increased humidity levels.
Block Board Grade and Types With Their Symbol
- BWP Grade (Boiling Water Proof) – Symbol: BWP
- MR Grade (Moisture Resistant) – Symbol: MR
- BWR Grade (Boiling Water Resistant) – Symbol: BWR
- Core Board or Particle Board – Symbol: PB
- Marine Plywood – Symbol: MP
These are the most common types of block board and their symbols.
It is important to select the right grade for each particular application, as this will affect the strength and durability of your project. Check with your block boards supplier when selecting a type of block board to ensure you’re getting what you need!
The following is the step-by-step procedure for Block board Processing:
- The veneer layers are cut to the desired thickness and stacked together
- A thin layer of softwood is laid over the stack, forming a continuous sheet
- The edges of the sheets are trimmed to form a neat square or rectangular block
- Small wooden blocks are glued on both sides of the edges and then compressed tightly
- The blocks are left to dry and then sanded down to ensure a smooth surface finish
- The board is then sealed with adhesive glue and ready for use!
Properties Of Block Board
- Lightweight – Block Boards are lightweight and easy to handle, making them ideal for furniture pieces.
- Strength– The core of the block board is made up of wood strips, giving it great strength and stability.
- Moisture resistance – Boiling waterproof grade block board can withstand high moisture levels without warping or delaminating.
- Durability – The veneer layers on both sides of the block board protect it from wear and tear, making it a long-lasting product.
- Versatile – Block boards can be used for wall cladding, flooring, furniture pieces, partitions, and more!
Block Board Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Compared to other engineered wood, it is undoubtedly the lightest in weight. The key benefit is that it is simple to transport and costs less to do so. They frequently appear in interior design because of their lightweight qualities.
- It is simple to handle and straightforward to deal with. The block board’s processing requirements are low because the inside is built of solid wood strips, which makes it convenient for on-site building.
- Block boards have greater endurance and durability when compared to other engineering wood. They can display restraint even in a humid atmosphere with their moisture-resistant qualities.
- Compared to particleboard and MDF, block boards have strong and outstanding screw strength.
- The most eco-friendly engineered wood available is a block board. It costs less and gives you the real wood feeling while using very little glue.
- Block boards also have a flat surface, uniform hue, and a gorgeously grained wood veneer.
- Comparatively less expensive than plywood, essential for bringing down interior expenses.
Disadvantages
- Although strong, it is not as robust and long-lasting as real plywood.
- Small gaps inside the core that form during production make it challenging to deal with the block board.
- This may impact the longevity of the furniture. Carpenters find it challenging to work because of the unavoidable space these gaps produce.
- The board may shrink or swell when exposed to specific conditions for an extended period.
- It is important to use caution when screwing and nailing because any gaps in the material’s core could cause it to break.
- Some of the worst block board qualities include poor load-bearing and bending strength.
Conclusion
Block boards manufacturers Gujarat have a variety of advantages and drawbacks that make them suitable for specific applications. Block board is lightweight, cost-effective, moisture-resistant, and can be used in many different ways. However, it has poor load-bearing and bending strength due to the small gaps inside the core. It is essential to consider these pros and cons when selecting a block board for your project.