Just using the criteria you've given, particle board, MDF, plywood, OSB
board, in 3/4" thickness will all work. None of those will be strong enough
unless you provide the supports, as you mention you will. All will be
strong enough with the supports. Your decision should be made with
additional considerations. Plywood and OSB will be likely to give you
splinters around the edge. MDF and particle board won't be good around
water, oil, solvent, etc. Plywood will be best if your load might not be
evenly distributed, because it is the most puncture resistant of the bunch.
How about surface texture? Are you loading the shelves with something that
must not be scratched or that might pick up an embossed texture from the
shelf? If so, MDF is the smoothest surfaced of the bunch.

Hopefully that gives you some things to think about.

--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com


"The Pistoleer" wrote in message
...
I will be setting up a bunch of heavy duty steel shelving units with full
size 4' x 8' shelves. The decking can be any 4' x 8' material (full
sheets). I'll be storing a max distributed load of 1200 lbs per shelf.
What's the best material to use as decking. Local Home Depot and Lowes
have
available (5/8" to 3/4" thick) particle board (with or without melamite),
MDF, various varieties of plywood, etc. Dry environment, there will be
two
or three supports between the beams. Particle board seems to be the
standard, but is it the best choice?

Pete
http://www.Pistoleer.com Retail & Wholesale (PH/FX 618-288-4588)
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