Plywood, OSB and chipboard: how to buy sheet materials at a good price
How the boards differ
Plywood is made of layers of veneer, so it holds screws and loads well. For damp rooms and outdoor work people look for boiling-water-proof (BWP) plywood, and ordinary interior plywood is used indoors. OSB-3 is more moisture-resistant than OSB-2 and suits sheathing of framed walls, floors and roofs. Chipboard is cheaper but afraid of water, and laminated chipboard goes into cabinet furniture.
MDF, hardboard and cement-bonded boards are separate again. If you are not sure what you need, describe the job: “sheathe a wall frame” or “make a wardrobe”, and sellers will suggest a material.
What to put in your request
- What you need — plywood (interior or BWP), OSB-3, chipboard, laminated chipboard, MDF.
- Thickness in mm — 9, 12, 18 and so on.
- Quantity — sheets or sq m.
- Sheet size — 2440×1220 mm (8×4 ft), or another.
- Grade and class — plywood grade of each face, sanded or not, moisture resistance, emission class.
- Make — for laminated chipboard, the maker of the decor, if you have a preference.
- Cutting — to size, with edge banding.
- Delivery, address and budget.
Example: “I need 50 sheets of OSB-3, 12 mm thick, 2440×1220, to sheathe a framed house. Singapore, delivery with unloading. Budget up to $610.”
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
Instead of driving around timber yards, you write one request, and sellers of sheet materials answer in the chat with the price per sheet, cutting and delivery. They see where their offer ranks and compete on terms. It is free for the buyer, and the phone number is seen only by the seller you choose. More in How it works.
What to look at when comparing
First check the thickness and the format: a sheet of 2440×1220 and one of another size have different areas, so compare the price per sq m. For plywood, ask about the grade of both faces: “2/4” means the front and back are of different quality. For laminated chipboard, ask about the formaldehyde emission class (E1) and the maker of the decor.
Cutting is usually paid, and it matters how it is counted: per cut or per sheet, and how accurate it is. Edge banding is counted per running metre. If the boards are large, ask about delivery and unloading, because a 2.4 m sheet is easier to carry with two people than alone. Ask how the material is stored: sheets in a damp warehouse can swell, which matters most in the rainy season.
Typical mistakes
- Taking chipboard for a damp place instead of moisture-resistant boards.
- Not allowing for waste when cutting: for furniture it is better to make a cutting plan in advance.
- Comparing sheets of different thickness or format by the price per piece.
- Not checking the batch when you buy a lot: laminated chipboard colours can differ.
For the frame, also look at timber, and for fixings, among fasteners and hardware.
