Almost every piece of fitted furniture in an Indian home is built from one of these. Tap a name to read what it is, and where it belongs.
Made by pressing sawdust, wood shavings and chips with synthetic resin under heat. It is the most affordable engineered board and the lightest, which is why ready to assemble furniture relies on it. It has very low resistance to water and moisture, so it bulges, breaks and bends easily. It is used for commercial interior and not recommended for residential. It holds screws poorly once disturbed. Best kept to short life, dry, low load pieces.
Thin sheets of natural wood veneer glued in alternating grain directions, which gives it strength in every direction and excellent screw-holding. Grades go from MR (dry interiors) to BWR and BWP (kitchens, bathrooms, anywhere it might meet water). Using the wrong grade or leaving edges unsealed lets moisture seep in, which can cause delamination, warping and fungus. It is the default choice for kitchen and wardrobe carcasses because it lasts a decade or more when correctly sealed.
HDHMR (High Density High Moisture Resistant) is a dense board made from tightly compressed wood fibers stronger and tougher than MDF. Why is it used? It handles moisture well, resists termites, doesn’t bend easily, and has a smooth, paint-ready surface. Where is HDHMR used? Kitchens, bathroom vanities, wardrobes, and furniture in humid areas. Takeaway: Strong & moisture resistant, Good for kitchen & bathrooms, Not for outdoor use, Best for shutters.
Medium Density Fibreboard is made from finely broken-down wood fibres bonded with resin. Its surface is exceptionally smooth, which makes it ideal for laminates, veneers and decorative panels. It has almost no water resistance: the first serious spill makes it swell permanently and lose shape, and it holds screws weakly once the core is damaged. Use it only in dry, decorative, indoor work far from sinks, bathrooms and windows.
A core of softwood battens placed edge-to-edge and faced with hardwood veneer on both sides. The construction resists sagging across long spans far better than plywood, which is why it is preferred for long shelves, bed frames, full-height shutters and study tables. Like plywood, it is not waterproof. If water gets through the edge or surface, the battens can swell, warp or split the board. Lighter than equivalent plywood but slightly less screw-friendly at the edges.
The letters on a plywood stamp are not marketing. They tell you exactly how much water it will survive before it warps.
Bedroom wardrobes, dry indoor furniture.
Not for kitchens or bathrooms.
Lofts, light kitchen use, occasional moisture.
Not for constant water contact.
Kitchen carcass, utility, bathroom vanities.
The highest grade. Worth the premium.