FAQ

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What is a composite panel?
A product consisting of wood, plant particles or fibers, bonded together by an adhesive such as a synthetic resin or binder.
Examples include plywood, particle-board, OSB, and MDF. Visit the Composite Panel Association for more info.
What is MDF?
Medium Density Fiberboard is an engineered wood product made from wood fiber bundles and resin, extruded onto a conveyor
in a “mat” form then pressed to a given thickness. MDF provides a smooth surface, but like particleboard it is denser and
heavier than veneer core. Columbia does not manufacture MDF, but can source it in standard UF and no added urea
formaldehyde options as a core in decorative hardwood plywood construction.
What is Particleboard?
Particleboard is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips and a resin, which, like medium density fiberboard
is heavier and does not have the strength of veneer core plywood. Particleboard is a type of composite panel, but it is made up
of larger pieces of wood rather than fiber bundles as used in MDF. Particleboard also provides a smooth surface, but does not
have the strength of veneer core plywood, and because of the coarse nature of the particles, the edges must be treated in some
fashion in the finished product. Columbia does not manufacture particleboard, but can source it in standard UF and no added
urea formaldehyde options as a core in decorative hardwood plywood construction.
What is OSB?
Oriented Strand Board is an exterior (phenolic bonded) engineered wood product made by layering strands of resin saturated
wood on a mat with a specific orientation that approaches veneer core in stiffness. It is frequently used in the construction of
new residential homes as a wall and roof sheathing and as underlayment in certain cases. OSB is a NAUF product by LEED®
definition. Columbia does not currently manufacture OSB and it is seldom used as a core in hardwood plywood panels.
What is Classic Core?
Classic Core utilizes veneer inner plies in all but those adjacent to the face and back. The outer plies are made of thin MDF to
provide the panel with the smooth surface characteristics of MDF and particleboard but with less weight and improved strength.
Columbia makes several types of Classic Core products. Standard Classic Core is manufactured with UF MDF. If your project
requires formaldehyde-free PureBond Classic Core, this must be specified during the bid process and at time of order.
Availability and lead-times for PureBond Classic Core may vary.
What is Veneer Core?
Veneer core is constructed with one or more layers of relatively thick veneers peeled from abundantly available species
typically characterized by their structural properties and usual lack of aesthetic appeal. These veneer layers (or plies) are laid up
and balanced in alternating cross bands for stability and strength. Any decorative thin face of a wood species can be applied to
the front and back of the panel. Compared to MDF and particleboard cores, veneer core offers strength, weight and screw-
holding advantages.
What is Rotary Cut?
Rotary cutting is a method used to peel a log into thin sheets of wood as if unrolled from a spool, like paper towels. Rotary cut
decorative veneer can give a variegated grain appearance, and can vary tremendously. It is usually the least expensive veneer
style. Rotary cutting is the only way to achieve a 48″ wide whole-piece face.