The simple answer to the question ‘is all wood products really wood?’ is YES. However, it is a white lie. See, the real answer is complex and complicated and in today’s world not many are interested in a real answer.
Here we are attempting to inform you by answering the question with its real answer. To understand the question, we must ask ourselves (both you and the supplier) ‘what wood products are and how do they differ?’ So, let’s begin:
What are wood products?
Wood products are any consumer or end-user items (fixed or movable) that are made of wood in one form or another. Some common examples are wooden furniture, flush doors, modular kitchen, modular wardrobe, wooden windows, wooden flooring, wooden decking, etc that all around you.
But not all wood products are made with solid wood. Most wood products in the market (be it online or in-person furniture shop) are made of ‘engineered wood materials’, and the most popular materials are MDF and Particle Boards.
Let’s consider MDF here, what is MDF? MDF stands for Medium-Density Fibreboard which is made mostly from the least quality by products of solid wood residues like sawdust, wood chips, and shavings are collected—often from sawmills or recycled wood. It is the most popular because it allows the cost of manufacturing to be distributed to aspects such as design, large scale production, distribution networks and profit-maximisation for manufacturers which then translates to a cheaper/economical wood product that is easy to sell as it looks appealing and simple to a buyer. Some of the major brands both in India and globally heavily rely on this material to sell their ‘cool’ wooden products. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost as these products do not last long, and the warranty provided is often not honoured or is made too difficult for the consumer to be bothered about. It is easier for the consumer to buy another new MDF-made wood product than to worry about the one they already have. This unfortunately leads to an unsustainable way of using our natural resources and creates more waste to manage whilst leaving you with less money in your pocket over a longer period.
It’s not all gloom; there are valid practical applications of MDF such as writing boards, desktop panels, etc which when managed and recycled responsibly add value to your environment. Unfortunately, like anything that is cheap its abused with over usage.
Going back to Wood Products though, whilst MDF is the most common here’s a list of wood materials that one should ask when venturing out to buy their next furniture, interior renovation or building/construction project.
Solid Wood
Real wood in its natural form
- Hardwoods: From deciduous trees – generally denser and more durable. Some examples are Teak wood, Oak, Mahagony, Acacia, Sal, Laurel, Rose wood, Merbau
- Softwoods: from coniferous trees – generally lighter and easier to work with. Some examples are Pine, Cedar, Spurce, Fir
Engineered Wood
made from by-products of real wood
- Plywood – Layers of wood veneer glued together; strong and versatile.
- MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) – Fine wood fibers and resin; smooth and paintable.
- Particle Board – Wood chips and resin; low-cost, used in budget furniture.
- HDF (Hard Density Fibreboard) – Denser than MDF; used in flooring and cabinetry.
Mass Timber
Real wood engineered for structural building
- Glued laminated Timber (GLT) – Long solid wood strips glued together in parallel, used for beams and columns
- Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) – Layers of solid wood boards glued at 90° angles. Used for walls, floors, and roofs.
- Nail Laminated Timber (NLT) – Boards stacked and nailed together. Often used in floors and decks.
- Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT) – Similar to NLT but joined with wooden dowels instead of nails or glue.
A comparison of Solid Wood, Plywood & MDF:
| Feature | Solid Wood | Plywood | MDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Cut directly from trees (natural lumber) | Thin layers (veneers) of wood glued together | Wood fibres bonded with resin and wax |
| Grain | Natural grains and texture | Visible grain (depending on outer veneer sheets only) | No grains |
| Strength | Very strong and durable | Strong and stable | Moderate strength, can sag under weight |
| Moisture Resistance | Varies by species (for ex.: teak is good) | Better than MDF; can be water-resistant | Poor unless specially treated |
| Lifespan | Long-lasting (decades) | Long-lasting with proper care (years) | Shorter lifespan |
| Workability | Harder to cut; can splinter | Easy to cut; holds screws well | Very easy to cut and shape |
| Finishing | Can be stained or painted | Can be stained or painted | Best for painting (not staining) |
| Common Uses | Furniture, Doors, windows, frames, decking, flooring, structural beams, wooden buildings | Cabinets, furniture, subfloors, walls | Shelving, decorative panels, painted furniture |
| Cost | Expensive | Moderate | Inexpensive |
| Sustainability | Renewable Resource | Uses less wood than solid lumber | Made from wood waste |
| Summary Usage | Best for high-end furniture, visible grain, and long-term durability. | Good for modular cabinetry, and where strength and stability are needed. | Ideal for painted surfaces, budget furniture, and detailed interior work. |