Laminboard

[edit] Introduction

Laminboard is a timber-based sheet material that comprises a core, faced on both sides. The core is made from parallel, rectangular-section, bonded softwood strips (around 5-7 mm wide); these are sandwiched between a variety of facing materials which can include veneers of softwood, hardwood, thin MDF or particle board. The assembly is glued under high pressure.

The construction can be three-layer – with a single facing on each side of the core, e.g MDF or particleboard, or it can be five-layer for better stability – with two facings on each side. The grain of the facing material is usually arranged so that it is perpendicular to that of the core strips – which for reasons of strength run along the length of the board and are usually made from seasoned, lightweight timbers, such as poplar or spruce. Their moisture content is usually 12% or less.

Laminboard is similar to blockboard, coreboard or lumber core (US) with the main difference being the strips of timber in the core are thinner thinner, 5-7mm in laminboard and 25-29mm in blockboard, which in both cases is exposed at the edges.

[edit] Uses

Like chipboard, laminboard and blockboard are used mainly for interiors due to the nature of the adhesives used. But in contrast to chipboard, laminboard and blockboard have good structural stability and strength, as well as being light so both are suited to application in doors, shelves, tables, panelling, partitions and kitchen worktops without intermediate supports.

Laminboard and blockboard form a good base material for veneering, but edges have to be lipped with solid wood. They can also be painted after a light sanding but the edges would require filling and sanding. Both are available in a varietys of sizes and depths but commonly in 2,440mm x 1,220mm sheets (based on the imperial 8ft x 4ft dimensions) and in thicknesses ranging from 12mm to 36mm.

[edit] Working

Laminboard and blockboard can be worked with standard tools, easily sawn, with good screw and nail-holding properties, resistant to warping if both sides have similar treatments.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Adhesives.
• Cedar.
• Chipboard.
• Confederation of Timber Industries.
• Cross-laminated timber.
• Engineered bamboo.
• Engineered wood products EWP.
• Glulam.
• Laminated veneer lumber LVL.
• Lime wood.
• Medium density fibreboard - MDF
• Modified wood.
• Oriented strand board.
• Plywood.
• Softwood.
• Timber.
• Timber construction for London.
• Timber preservation.
• Timber vs wood.
• Types of timber.