Why do big brands use particle boards as cabinets instead of eco-boards and multilayer boards?

Many Filipino customers perceive that wood is better, and many businesses capitalize on this perception, resulting in a peculiar phenomenon in the market: the more obscure the brand, the more they tend to use ecological boards and multilayer boards, while the more renowned brands do not.

In the current Philippine market, we primarily have the following types of boards: particle board (particleboard, moisture-proof board), MDF (medium density fiberboard), ecological board (woodworking board, big core board), multilayer board (plywood), knuckle board, and solid wood.

It is observed that reputable brands often choose particle boards for cabinets, while using various materials for the doors. So, why do they make this choice? The reasons are mainly as follows:

1. Particle boards have higher resistance against deformation and cracking compared to other boards, except for density boards. They offer better grip strength than density boards and some ecological boards. Additionally, particle boards exhibit better moisture resistance than density boards. While their moisture resistance may be lower than that of solid wood and multilayer boards, and their strength lower than multilayer boards, knuckle boards, and density boards, these defects are insignificant for current custom cabinet construction. The cabinets are typically assembled using three-in-one fasteners and are not used to construct on-site partition walls. Hence, the physical properties of particle boards can be overlooked, making them highly suitable for customized products.

2. From an environmental perspective, we often fall into the misconception that larger wood chips are more environmentally friendly. However, all boards are made of wood, regardless of their size. The wood itself contains approximately 0.1 mg of formaldehyde, and any additional formaldehyde content comes from the glue used in the board manufacturing process (including in the case of solid wood). The type of adhesive and the manufacturing process are the key factors determining the environmental friendliness of the board. Currently, there are different types of glue available, such as urea formaldehyde glue, ammonia glue, and MDI glue. MDI glue, in particular, does not contain formaldehyde. Therefore, the formaldehyde content in the glue determines the environmental performance of the board, rather than the type or size of the wood used. Particle boards and density boards are encouraged by the state as part of the environmental protection industry (with the aim of conserving tree resources). They are also commonly used in developed countries as furniture boards (whereas ecological boards and multilayer boards are less commonly used for furniture, and solid wood consumption is minimal).

The investment threshold for ecological boards and multilayer boards is relatively high, resulting in a limited number of well-known brands. These large enterprises have stable environmental indicators, which are essential purchase criteria for furniture brands. As these brands cannot afford to produce environmentally substandard products due to the sensitivity of the issue. Ecological boards are not encouraged by the state as an industry, and multilayer boards, originally known as plywood, are mainly used for their waterproof properties and strength in packaging, construction templates, and walls. There are fewer well-known brands in this category, and small board factories often use adhesives that contain more urea formaldehyde glue, leading to unstable performance. It is important to note that the environmental friendliness of a board has nothing to do with its name or the size of the wood used. The brand and environmental protection level are crucial factors to consider.

Therefore, if there are more environmentally friendly boards available to big brands, why don't they choose them? There is no need for them to deceive customers to sell their products.

3. Particle boards and density boards offer better production performance. They have precise sizing and a dense interior, making them convenient for large-scale mechanized and electronically controlled production. On the other hand, ecological boards and multilayer boards may lack precise sizing, particularly in the case of ecological boards, which may have a less dense interior. This makes them more suitable for certain applications, such as on-site construction where particle boards are not commonly used due to lower equipment quality. Additionally, particle boards do not require surface painting, which saves a significant portion of the cost compared to knuckle boards.

4. Cost is another factor to consider. When the environmental indicators are similar, the cost of ecological boards and multilayer boards is higher than that of particle boards. However, it is important to note that this is only true when comparing boards with similar environmental performance. For instance, well-known brands like Lushuihe and Daya may have particle boards that are more expensive than the ecological boards or multilayer boards used by small factories (due to differences in environmental indicators). Big brand manufacturers are professionals and would not choose expensive options if they are not better in terms of physical performance, production performance, and environmental performance. Therefore, why not use a cheaper option?

It is important to emphasize that not all particle boards are of good quality, and one should purchase them from reputable brands while being cautious of counterfeit products and low-quality particle boards from small factories.

So, why do small factories prefer to use ecological boards and multilayer boards? The answer is quite simple:

In reality, the production costs of big brands with the same configuration are lower than those of small factories. Big brands benefit from lower procurement costs and mechanized production, while small factories struggle to keep up due to higher procurement and production costs. Consequently, small factories are unable to follow the trend. For example, they might not have access to shopping malls or have the same level of service. If a small factory offers the same configuration as the big brands (not just cabinet boards) and provides genuine products, the price difference will not exceed 5%. However, within this price difference, customers generally do not choose the small factory option.

To sell products at a lower price while still making a profit, small factories only have two options. The first option is to produce counterfeit brand particle boards, which comes with certain risks. The second option is to recommend boards that big brands do not use and create a misrepresentation. This way, customers cannot make a direct comparison, and even if the appearance of these boards seems better than particle boards and density boards, they will still have selling points.

I would like to clarify that this explanation is based on technical knowledge and data. If there are any technical or data-related corrections, please feel free to provide them.

We are opening this July in Ortigas, Metro Manila!

Email: service@dreamedhome.com
Whatsapp: dreamedhome
Website: www.dreamedhome.com

#housedesign #houserenovation #fyp #reels #tipsandtricks