What Is Engineered Wood & How Is It Made?
Learn more about engineered wood.
Everyone knows that wood is a natural building material that can be found in many different species and densities. However, it was in the early 1900s that engineered wood was introduced as a more budget- and environmentally friendly alternative with similar (and often better) properties. Today this manufactured resource is used the world over to create beautiful and cost-effective furniture pieces and even flooring. The question is – what is engineered wood and how is it made? Keep reading to find out more.
What Is Engineered Wood?
In short, engineered wood refers to building materials that are manufactured by binding pieces of scrap wood, shredded wood fibers, and/or sawdust with adhesive in different configurations to create products that look and behave like real wood but are typically more durable. In fact, some engineered wood products are made with a waterproof adhesive so they are moisture-resistant and can be used outdoors.
The beauty of engineered wood is it is more environmentally sustainable than solid wood as it is made from offcuts and scraps with increased performance and stability – meaning no trees are cut down for their product, only the "wood waste" that would otherwise be discarded.
Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood
When discussing engineered wood, it is important to consider solid wood to better compare the two.
Solid Wood: Any solid wood furniture is made entirely from naturally occurring wood that comes directly from trees. There are no layers (or inclusions), only single uniform pieces that are cut and glued and/or nailed together to create various products. There are two different types of solid woods available – softwoods like cedar, pine, and spruce, and hardwoods like cherry, walnut, and acacia. To learn more about acacia, read What Is Acacia Wood & Why Is It So Special?.
Engineered Wood: This man-made product is made from real wood but has a different makeup. Engineered wood comprises layers of wood, sometimes featuring a top layer (veneer) or solid wood with high-density, high-quality fiberwoods as the lower layers, all glued together with adhesive.
Tip!
Engineered wood is not the same thing as laminate which is a synthetic material designed to emulate real wood.
Types of Engineered Wood
Plywood: The most well-known engineered wood is plywood which is made of many thin layers of wood veneer that are glued together with heat and pressure to create panels or sheets. These veneers are "cross-laminated" as the direction of the grain is alternated per layer to add stiffness and stability best used in shelving, cabinet boxes, and stair components.
Particle Board: Also known as chipboard, particle board is made when sawmill waste like sawdust and wood chips that are combined with synthetic resin and compressed into plywood-like sheets They don't have the strength of plywood but are ideal in situations when a lowered cost is imperative for things like sheathing and cabinet construction.
Engineered Wood Flooring: This is manufactured with a top layer of solid wood which is backed by a plywood or layers of pressed-and-glued wood fibers that are stable and won't warp or separate easily. Since the top veneer is so thin, engineered hardwood flooring can be made from more exotic hardwoods that would cost far more if milled into solid wood planks.
Oriented Strand Board: OSB is similar to particle board except it is made by gluing together long strands of wood under pressure in order to attain more strength. It comes in sheets the same size as plywood and is good for wall paneling, shelving, and industrial tabletops.
Other: There are a great range of engineered wood types available, each with different properties and uses.
- Finger-jointed wood is made from short wood pieces glued together to form longer pieces and is best used for interior trim and door jambs.
- Glulam timbers (glued laminate) are pieces of regular construction lumber glued together to form dimensional lumber that is used as beams or joists in construction.
- Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is made from wood waste where the wood particles are broken down into fibers before being combined with resins and wax, and placed under pressure to create sheets that are commonly seen in cabinets and shelving.
Engineered Wood Products
Many engineered wood products are designed to emulate the look and feel of solid wood at a budget-friendly price. There are a range of products to choose from, some of which are even built to be stronger than real wood.
For the Bedroom
From dressers to nightstands, wardrobes to storage benches, and even futons – stocking an entire bedroom with engineered wood is not only cost-effective but will still give the appearance of solid wood as they each feature characteristics like knots and irregular grain without impacting their strength or quality.
Furniture made from engineered wood is easy to manufacture and therefore more affordable, providing attractive and durable pieces that look good in common spaces like living rooms. They come in a broad range of styles and even colors, so it is easy to match your home's design aesthetic.
While real wood comes from trees, engineered wood comes from factories and is just as good in many ways, and sometimes even better. That increased durability is ideal for hardworking pieces like pantries and bar stools where plenty of everyday wear-and-tear can be expected.
Since engineered wood is produced in factories, it can be made to fit size requirements that are difficult to find in nature. This allows for a border range of DIY planks and panels produced at a budget-friendly piece while still offering that wood-like appearance.
Now you know the answer to the question "what is engineered wood?" it's time to start decorating your house with these impressive and beautiful pieces.
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