The great competition and variety of goods on the market forces manufacturers of building materials to improve their products and expand their range. Changing the appearance of traditional options and giving them new properties, the manufacturer receives new products that are superior to their predecessors in a number of qualities. This is how hardboard slabs were created . The size of the sheet and its appearance are very similar to fiberboard, but there are some differences in these materials. We will tell you more about them in our article.
Material Description
The main raw materials for the production of hardboard are waste from woodworking enterprises: sawdust, wood chips, small shavings. The prepared mixture is formed into plates using a press and heated to securely fasten all components. Thus, a “carpet” of the required strength and thickness is obtained, which is cut into several parts. The dimensions of the hardboard sheet are regulated by standards, but a slight deviation from the norms is allowed.
At the final stage of production, the material is impregnated with special compounds:
- flame retardants;
- rosin;
- antiseptics;
- paraffin wax.
They make hardboard resistant to moisture and mold.
In order to give the product additional strength, it is treated with a special substance - pectol. Carefully dried sheet is covered with protective compounds, after which it goes on sale.
What are the differences between hardboard plates from fiberboard sheets?
The production technology of this material is identical to the manufacturing process of wood-fiber boards. So what are the differences between hardboard and fiberboard? In fact, hardboard - this is a kind of fiberboard, which on the one hand is additionally painted or covered with a decorative film. Absolutely all positive and negative properties of wood-fiber products are inherent in the product.
The main qualities and strength of the material depend on its grade and thickness. Top-class products have high strength and impressive weight. Thick and hard varieties are characterized by a high degree of abrasion resistance, which allows them to be used for wall and floor decoration.
The price per sheet of hardboard varies depending on its size, thickness and grade. However, even the highest quality products are characterized by an affordable price tag, due to which the material is actively used in the manufacture of furniture and the creation of decorative cladding.
Varieties of hardboard
Wood-shaving products of this variety differ by two criteria: density and type of decorative layer. On each sheet, the manufacturer puts a mark in the form of a combination of the letters "C", "H", "M" and "T". They indicate its main characteristics:
- "STS" - the highest class stoves. Such products are the heaviest and most durable. The size of a sheet of hardboard of this species can be small, while its weight will be very impressive. The front side of such boards is finished with fine wood.
- "ST" - high-quality products without decorative finishes.
- "NT" - solid plates. Their density is inferior to the previous version, but significantly exceeds the performance of standard products.
- "T" - the most common, standard options for reduced strength without finishing the front side.
- “TP” is a middle class product. The front side of the sheet is covered with paint.
- "TS" - standard finishes with finely dispersed wood.
- "TV" - moisture resistant hardboard without finishing.
- "TSV" - moisture resistant options with wood finishes.
- "M" is a soft hardboard.
Sheets of the highest class (marked “C”) are characterized by a density of up to 1.2 t / m³. Materials of medium hardness (grade N) have a density of up to 1.1 t / m³. The most economical varieties (T-class) have a density of up to 1000 kg / m³. Soft hardboard has a density of not more than 500 kg / m³.
What are the dimensions of sheet products?
The dimensions of hardboard sheets are regulated by GOST 4598-68. It determines the possible dimensions of products with various technical characteristics. The softest and most inexpensive options are 1220, 1600, 1800, 2500, 2700 and 3000 mm long. The width of the plate for this type is standard - 1220 mm.
The high strength of solid products allows you to increase the size of the sheet of hardboard. The length indicator of thick options can be 1220, 1700, 1800, 2050, 2500, 2745, 3050, 3350, 3660 mm. The width of heavy-duty sheets is 610, 1220, 1525, 1830, 2410 mm.
Hardboard cost
Hardboard is an inexpensive and fairly common material. It can be purchased at any hardware store. The average cost of 1 m² of light varieties is about 50 rubles. Based on the dimensions of the product, you can calculate what the approximate price for a sheet of hardboard will be. However, here you need to take into account the thickness of the products, which can vary from 2 to 40 mm.
A slab measuring 1250 x 2500 mm (with a thickness of 12 mm) will have a cost of about 700 rubles. Products with similar dimensions and a thickness of 9 mm cost about 550 rubles per sheet. Thin options (with a thickness of 3 mm) will cost the buyer 120-140 rubles.
Heavy-duty materials of the highest class are made to order, their price must be checked with the manufacturer. However, it should be remembered that the greater the thickness of hardboard - the higher its cost.
To summarize
Hardboard is a versatile and inexpensive material that is actively used in repair and construction. It is quite simple to use, easy to cut with a jigsaw and a hacksaw. Installation of hardboard is performed using nails, screws and glue. The rough back surface provides excellent adhesion to the base plate. There can simply be no significant differences between hardboard and fiberboard, as these names mean the same wood-chip material. The difference is only in the front surface.