On Fri, 9 Jan 2015 12:22:06 -0500, "TomR" wrote:

to moisture, swelling up and disintegrating when it
gets wet. So MDF is good for laminate backer and
in situations where a very smooth surface is needed
that won't see any water exposure and won't have
exposed edges.

Okay. And then there is OSB -- Oriented Strand Board.

I have to admit that I have a hard time remembering what all of these
different types of materials are called, what they are best used for, etc.
I can always go online and look them up each time I need to know if I am at
a computer. But, that doesn't help much when I am in Home Depot etc. and
trying to decide what to get or if I am having a discussion with someone
about what to buy for a specific project.

Lots of choices, lots of different uses.


I have trouble remembering all these initials too. i was not sure what
MDF was when I first read this thread. It would be nice of posters
would spell out the full name at the start of a post for stuff like
this.

OSB seems to be used a lot for exterior wall covering on new buildings.
(under the siding). It seems more durable than the "glued sawdust
boards". Personally, I prefer to spend a few dollars more and use
either solid lumber, or plywood, for any permanent structures.