Written by Scott Legros
Melamine panels and plastic laminate, used to build cabinets, office furniture and display counters, and white boards are often referenced interchangeably, but the two materials are slightly different. Melamine is a laminate, but not all laminates are melamine. Melamine Panel Melamine is considered, and often referred to as, a direct or low pressure laminate (LPL)
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Written by Scott Legros
Beadboard: DIY Projects that are simple and can transform any room Beadboard is an MDF panel with grooves made to resemble a tongue and groove pattern commonly used to mimic wainscoting alongside the bottom portion of walls. The material gets its name from the indentation or “bead” that is formed when pieces are fastened together.
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Written by Scott Legros
Historically, consumers might have considered laminate “low-end,” not only in terms of price, but for look as well. But over the years, laminate has improved dramatically in finishes and durability, and can create a high-end kitchen design. Pionite is a versatile plastic laminate made up of layers of treated paper that forms a extremely hard-wearing
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Written by Scott Legros
The rough edges of plywood that show off the wood’s composite composition are often covered up with veneer and edging to produce a neat, polished, “finished” look. As industrial, rustic and DIY aesthetics sweep the home design scene, though, leaving the edges of plywood unfinished or even featuring this visually interesting characteristic in a more
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Written by Scott Legros
Baltic birch is a popular type of plywood, particularly in cabinet and furniture making. It’s naturally stronger and more durable than other types of plywood and often has an attractive, uniform face (depending on the grade). This type of plywood gets its Baltic name from the area the trees are harvested from, the Eastern European
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Written by Scott Legros
Not all composites — in fact, not all medium density fiberboards — are created equal. Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a composite product used in many home and professional projects, such as furniture, cabinetry, flooring and even speaker boxes due to its smooth finish, machinability, strength and consistency. All MDF is made using a process
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Written by Scott Legros
Hardwood and even cheaper plywood isn’t necessarily the best material for every project. Depending on the application, a composite material may be a more affordable and better suited option. There are also some uses where composites are the only acceptable solution. Just as there are many hardwoods, builders and DIY-ers have their choice of composite
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Written by Scott Legros
Typically sold in four foot by eight-foot sheets, handling plywood presents a bit of a challenge beyond the general safety procedures involved in any woodworking project. Safely Hefting Around a Hulking Piece of Plywood Part of what makes plywood such a great material is its sheer size. Unfortunately, that quality also poses one of its
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Written by Scott Legros
From handcrafted furniture to fine art, plywood makes a home’s interior decoration stand out. Plywood works well covering windows in a storm, and it shows up in all sorts of construction jobs. However, relegating it solely to construction and other “rough” jobs means missing out on a great material perfect for creating a one-of-a-kind home
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Written by Scott Legros
Plywood consists of resin-coated veneer pieces pressed together under heat. That sounds straightforward, but things become a little more involved when it comes to choosing the right type and thickness of plywood for a job. Knowing the safety and strength requirements of any finished product makes it possible to choose the right type of plywood.
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