Choosing sheet materials is easier when you start with the job. OSB3, plywood, MDF, plasterboard and chipboard can all look like simple flat boards online, but they are made for different uses. This guide explains the practical differences and links you to the right Wern-Wood ranges.
Quick comparison
| Material | Best for | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| OSB3 board | Roof decking, shed roofs, floors, loft boarding, outbuildings and general structural sheet work | OSB Boards & OSB3 Sheets |
| Plywood sheets | Joinery, furniture, flooring, structural work, marine projects, shuttering and specialist boards | Plywood Sheets |
| MDF sheets | Interior furniture, shelving, cabinetry, panelling, painted joinery and workshop projects | MDF Sheets & Boards |
| Plasterboard | Dry lining internal walls, ceilings, partitions and stud-wall projects | Plasterboard |
| P5 chipboard flooring | Tongue-and-groove flooring, subfloors and floor decking | Chipboard Flooring |
Use OSB3 for practical structural sheet work
OSB3 board is usually the best starting point for shed roofs, roof decking, floors, loft boarding, outbuildings, garden buildings and general covered structural work. It is strong, practical and good value. OSB3 is moisture resistant rather than waterproof, so use a suitable roof covering or finish where the board is exposed.
For standard square-edge boards, see OSB3 Board - Structural Sheet Material. For interlocking decked areas, see 18mm OSB3 Tongue & Groove Board.
Use plywood when grade, finish or face quality matters
Plywood sheets are a better starting point where the face quality, grade, specification or finish matters. The range includes structural hardwood plywood, general-purpose hardwood plywood, birch plywood, marine plywood, shuttering plywood and anti-slip phenolic plywood.
For thickness help, read Plywood Sheet Sizes & Thicknesses. If the board will face moisture, read Is Plywood Waterproof? and Is Marine Plywood Waterproof?.
Use MDF for smooth interior work
MDF sheets are smooth, consistent interior boards used for furniture, cabinetry, shelving, panelling, painted joinery and workshop projects. Standard MDF suits dry interior use. For humid interior spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms, compare Moisture Resistant MDF.
MDF is not a structural outdoor board and should not be treated as waterproof. Choose the thickness according to span, support, load and finish.
Use plasterboard for walls, ceilings and dry lining
Plasterboard sheets are made for internal walls, ceilings, partitions and dry lining. Standard boards suit many wall and ceiling jobs, while specialist versions cover moisture resistance, fire resistance, acoustic performance and insulated plasterboard applications.
If you are building a partition, the wider Build a Stud Wall project collection brings together CLS timber, plasterboard, door linings and fixings.
Use chipboard flooring for tongue-and-groove floor decks
P5 chipboard flooring is a practical choice for tongue-and-groove flooring and subfloor work where the specification suits the project. It is different from general chipboard furniture panels and should be selected according to the floor build-up and installation requirements.
Think about exposure before choosing
The biggest mistake is choosing only by thickness. Also check whether the board will be indoors, humid, covered, exposed, loaded, painted, jointed, skimmed or visible in the finished job. Moisture resistant does not mean waterproof, and roof decks still need a proper weatherproof covering.
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Browse the full Sheet Materials range, or go straight to OSB Boards & OSB3 Sheets, Plywood Sheets, MDF Sheets & Boards, Plasterboard or Chipboard Flooring.
