The Evolution and Varieties of Engineered Woods: Creating Sustainability in Modern Architecture

If you've recently explored interior design trends, embarked on furnishing your new home, or collaborated with interior designers, you've likely encountered the growing prominence of engineered wood products. A variety of factors, including the scarcity of natural tree resources and stricter environmental regulations, have influenced the evolution of the wood industry.

As we are well aware, natural wood primarily derives from various tree species. However, due to dwindling natural tree resources and the implementation of stricter environmental regulations, engineered wood has emerged as a viable alternative. This variation, distinct from solid wood, is primarily crafted by bonding various particles and strands together using adhesive agents.

What is Engineered Wood made of?

The term "engineered wood" inherently suggests its artificial origin, as it is consciously manufactured rather than occurring naturally. Its primary composition still revolves around both soft and hardwood, which form the basis of conventional lumber. As we delve into various types of engineered wood later in this blog, you'll discover that some engineered wood variants even utilise wood waste, including leftover sawmill scraps, effectively bound together through adhesives and other composite material fixation methods. The engineered wood is composed of multiple layers, such as:

Uppermost Layer: 

This layer is meticulously crafted to exhibit the utmost aesthetic appeal and is typically adorned with a veneer of solid wood. The top layer is the part we interact with, both in touch and feel.

Second Layer: 

It's engineered to be exceptionally sturdy, serving as a robust foundation for the ply of wood, usually composed of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or particle boards.

Final Layer (Back Layer): 

This layer doubles as a stabilising force for the other two layers, ensuring they remain resilient under stress. This structural design underscores the inherent durability of solid hardwood.

Types of Engineered Wood

Plywood: 

Known as the "original" form of engineered wood, it is a panel created by bonding thin wood veneers, typically 2-4 millimetres thick, in a layered structure and then subjecting them to high-temperature pressing, resulting in sturdy sheets.  Plywood is a versatile option for a myriad of applications, from bed sets to wardrobes and commercial structures. Its notable advantage lies in its adaptability, making it suitable for both interior panelling and structural furniture. The prevalent dimension for manufactured plywood is typically 8 x 4 feet (2449 x 1219 millimetres), and it comes in a range of thicknesses from 3 mm to 25 mm.

Blockboard/plyboard: 

Plyboard, or blockboard, on the other hand, is an engineered wood panel constructed with a core made of softwood strips placed together edge-to-edge, encased between two layers of wood veneer. These layers are adhered and compressed under high pressure and temperature to produce the plywood or blockboard. This robust wood choice finds its place in crafting doors, storage panels, and substantial furniture pieces like study tables. Its primary advantage lies in its durability, considering its comparably lighter weight compared to plywood.The prevalent dimension for manufactured blockboard is typically 8 x 4 feet (2449 x 1219 millimetres), and it comes in a range of thicknesses of 16mm, 19mm, and 25mm.

Particleboard: 

Particle board stands for an engineered wood product crafted by compacting wood or bagasse chips and particles using a binder under significant pressure and heat. Renowned for its eco-friendly characteristics, it efficiently utilises waste materials. This feature renders it a cost-effective option compared to alternatives like MDF and plywood. Sometimes referred to as chipboard or low-density fiberboard (LDF), particle board stems from wood waste, demonstrating its affordability and sustainable nature. Particle board offers cost-effectiveness and uniformity.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF): 

Medium-Density Fiberboard, or MDF for short, is an engineered wood product made by converting leftover hardwood or softwood into wood fibres. These fibres are then mixed with wax and a resin binder, and through a process involving high temperature and pressure, panels are formed. The resultant boards have a consistent, dense composition without knots or visible grain patterns, making them an excellent alternative to solid wood for various applications. Renowned for its dense composition and water-resistant properties, MDF is an ideal choice for high-quality kitchen cabinets and office interior furnishings.

High Density Fiberboard (HDF): 

HDF, short for High-Density Fibreboard or Hardboard, is similar to MDF in being a manufactured composite panel product produced from compressed wood fibres. Due to its exceptionally high density, HDF is ideal for long-lasting wooden flooring in residential or commercial spaces.

Laminated Veneer Lumber: 

LVL, an abbreviation for laminated veneer lumber, involves using logs as the primary raw material, which are then rotary cut into veneers. These veneers undergo a process involving drying, glueing, and hot pressing to form the board. This wood type is employed in crafting edge boards, beams, and furniture components.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT): 

This engineered wood plank, featuring securely adhered sheets of wood at right angles, stands out as a remarkable substitute for conventional wooden construction methods.

Construction Process of Engineered Wood:

The process of creating engineered wood is a combination of different materials carefully layered together to achieve specific properties. The primary composition often involves both soft and hardwood, forming the base of conventional lumber. Additionally, some variants utilize wood waste, including leftover sawmill scraps, effectively bound together through adhesives and other composite material fixation methods.

Advantages of Engineered Wood:

Sustainability: 

Engineered wood promotes sustainability by utilizing recycled wood materials and reducing reliance on natural timber resources.

Versatility: 

These engineered woods offer a broad range of applications, catering to different needs and segments within the construction and design industry.

Cost-Effectiveness: 

Compared to solid wood, engineered woods are often more budget-friendly, providing quality and durability at a reasonable price.

Strength and Durability: 

Each type of engineered wood serves specific purposes, but collectively they offer strength, resilience, and adaptability across various structural and decorative applications.

Conclusion

Finally, engineered woods have transformed the worlds of building and interior design. Their adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness make them an excellent alternative for a variety of applications. From MDF's smooth finish to plywood's structural strength, these materials offer boundless possibilities for sustainable and aesthetically pleasing solutions in modern architecture and furniture design.