Particle Board vs Plywood vs BIOMEBOARD™
Choosing a board is easier when you ask three questions: how well does it hold screws, how does it handle water, and how does it behave in a fire? Here is a plain comparison of particle board, plywood and BIOMEBOARD™.
Screw holding
Every hinge, handle and shelf bracket depends on the board gripping the screw.
- Plywood usually grips best, because its layers run in different directions.
- Particle board is usually weaker, and best for hidden parts.
- BIOMEBOARD™ tested at 1405 N on the face and 850 N on the edge. IS 3087, the Indian standard for particle boards, asks for at least 1250 N and 850 N. So it passes, and the edge result sits right at the minimum. Keep screws a little away from cut edges.
Water
None of these is a marine board. All three are for indoor use.
- Plywood copes best with humidity, and special water-resistant grades exist.
- Particle board swells and weakens fastest when wet.
- BIOMEBOARD™ swelled 7.4% after 24 hours in water, against a limit of 14%. Its internal bond is 0.45 N/mm2 when dry and 0.25 after a water-resistance test, both above the standard's minimums (0.40 and 0.07). Use it in dry areas.
Fire
- Plywood and particle board: results depend on the product and any added treatment. Do not assume a rating.
- BIOMEBOARD™: a 16 mm Type F board tested as class B-s1,d0, plus a small flame test where the flame stopped well short of the 150 mm limit. Type R and other thicknesses are not tested yet.
Heat and sound
BIOMEBOARD™'s data sheet lists 0.167 W/mK for heat flow. That is similar to or a little above many wood boards, so do not buy it for insulation. For sound, a 100 mm partition built with BIOMEBOARD™ tested at Rw 44 dB, which is a result for the wall, not for a single sheet.
Cost and supply
Particle board is the cheapest and easiest to find. Plywood sits in the middle to high range. BIOMEBOARD™ is priced per project, so allow lead time.
Which should you pick?
- Highest fastener strength or wet-ish areas: plywood.
- Lowest cost for hidden parts: particle board.
- No added formaldehyde in the binder, a fire test, and a lower carbon estimate: BIOMEBOARD™.
A quick buying checklist
- What will the board hold? Heavy hardware favours plywood.
- Will it ever get wet? If yes, choose a water-resistant plywood.
- Does your project need a fire class on paper?
- Is the budget fixed, or can you pay more for a lower impact board?
FAQs
Which holds screws better, particle board or plywood?
Plywood, usually.
Is BIOMEBOARD™ fire resistant?
A 16 mm Type F board tested as B-s1,d0.
Can I use BIOMEBOARD™ in a bathroom?
No. Keep it dry.
Which is the most sustainable?
On our internal estimate, BIOMEBOARD™ has the lowest carbon. An outside EPD is not yet available.
Is plywood always better than particle board?
Not always. For hidden parts in dry rooms, particle board is fine and costs less.
Ask us for a sample and compare them side by side.