When is fiberboard not the best finish?

There are various finishing materials made on the basis of sawdust and wood processing waste: plywood, chipboard, OSB, TsSP and DVP. They are similar in some properties, and differ in others. The scope of their application depends on this.

It has long been known for such material as wood-fiber boards (Fibreboard). They are made from pine sawdust, they are hard, semi-solid and soft.

MDVP Properties

Soft fiberboard does not have great strength and thermal conductivity. Produce them with a thickness of 8 to 25 mm. Fiberboard was widely used in construction, but more as a rough material. Soft fiberboard sometimes replaces drywall, while it is cheaper, lighter in weight, more elastic. It is more convenient to work with it.

As a heat and sound insulator, fiberboard can be used on walls, floors, and ceilings. If you need to align the base under linoleum or laminate, fiberboard is also suitable. She will well hide floor defects. The use of fiberboard is safe from an environmental point of view, since there are no harmful synthetic elements in it, as, for example, in particleboard.

What is DVP afraid of?

But there are areas where it is better to refuse the use of fiberboard. Like any extruded material, fiberboard is very sensitive to moisture. Although it is impregnated with moisture-proofing compounds during production, it is not friendly with water. In addition, there is always a risk that the fiberboard will be fake. Then in a couple of years it will simply exfoliate and swell.

But even a high-quality fiberboard should not be used for decorating walls and floors in the bathroom, bath, sauna, and kitchen. From constant dampness, the plates will quickly become worthless, and since the material is natural, fungus and mold may appear.

For the same reason, soft fiberboards do not trim the walls from the outside. There is no ban on its use as an external insulation, but it must be very well protected from moisture. Will have to close siding or plaster. And, if the dew point is just on the fiberboard, then the constant condensate will quickly lead to its destruction. For exterior decoration there is an alternative in the form of a more moisture-resistant OSB.

Fiberboard is not suitable for finishing flooring. Even soaked with linseed oil and twice stained, it will be exposed to moisture at the joints. In addition, it is easy to scratch it with heavy or sharp objects. Then it’s almost impossible to hide such scratches.

Therefore, soft fiberboard is best used where there is no moisture and significant loads. In this case, it can last a long time.