pressedwood

Pressed wood, or pressedwood, is a category of engineered wood products produced by binding wood particles or fibers with adhesives and forming them under heat and pressure into rigid panels or boards. The term encompasses several widely used products, including particleboard, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), hardboard, and oriented strand board (OSB). Plywood, while manufactured under pressure, is typically discussed separately as a veneer-based product.

Manufacturing typically begins with processing wood into particles or fibers, drying to a target moisture content, and mixing with resins such as urea-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, or polyurethane. The material is formed into mats or sheets, stacked, and pressed in hot presses to consolidate the matrix. After curing, panels are trimmed, sanded, and surfaced for final use.

Particleboard consists of wood particles with adhesive and is generally low-cost but less strong in screw-holding than solid wood. MDF uses uniform fibers to create a very smooth surface suitable for painting. Hardboard is a dense, rigid fiberboard with higher strength. OSB uses oriented strands for improved stiffness and moisture resistance. All are designed for specific density ranges and surface finishes.

Applications include furniture components, cabinetry, shelving, countertops, interior wall panels, subflooring, and decorative laminates. Surface finish and environmental performance influence product choice, with some products designed for painting, veneering, or lamination, and others for structural use.

Environmental and health considerations center on resin binders, particularly formaldehyde emissions. Modern pressed wood products often use low-emission or formaldehyde-free resins, and some are certified for lower emissions. End-of-life disposal is a factor, as pressed wood is not easily recycled into new boards and may require special handling when discarded.