Wood-based panel products are sheet materials in which wood is predominant in the form of strips, veneers, chips, strands or fibres. The main categories are:

Plywood (including blockboard)

Chipboard

Oriented strand board (OSB)

Fibreboards, including medium density fibreboard (MDF)

Wood-based panels are versatile products with a wide variety of end-uses. Their use continues to expand because of:

Their good strength/weight ratio

Their good strength/cost ratio

Their ease of working/finishing/fixing

The range of sizes and thicknesses available

The range of types and special products available

Their good environmental credentials (made from a renewable raw material, recyclable, low life-cycle costs)

Their long, proven history of successful use