LDSP: What is it? Features, advantages, overview of manufacturers

LDSP: What is it? Features, advantages, overview of manufacturers

Today, various materials are used for the production of furniture and decorative coatings – chipboard, fiberboard, MDF, solid wood. However, more and more manufacturers prefer to deal with chipboard. At the same time, many buyers are still baffled by the abbreviation of chipboard: what is it, how does this material differ from the varieties mentioned above, and what are its advantages and disadvantages. The answers to these questions will be provided in this article.

Chipboard is a particle board with a decorative coating

Technical characteristics of chipboard and chipboard: photo

You can notice the similarity of the terms chipboard and chipboard. The latter stands for chipboard or chipboard. The abbreviation itself, although commonly used, is not entirely correct. It would be more correct to write DStP. We are talking about a composite material, in the production of which, due to hot pressing, sawdust and chips, together with formaldehyde resin binders, acquire the appearance of a single web.

Laminated and veneered chipboard

For the first time this material was invented back in the 30s of the twentieth century, but mass production of chipboard began only in the 50s. Last but not least, this is due to the difficult post—war situation. For the needs of mass production, cheap and affordable material was required, and natural wood was expensive and waste during its processing reached up to 60%. In addition, the tastes of customers have changed significantly – the pretentious bulky furniture did not correspond in any way to the spirit of the era, which combined the desire for simplicity, convenience and lightness with the need to save. Chipboard also fully met all these requirements.

Chipboard production technology

For the production of chipboard, waste from the woodworking industry and specially crushed illiquid trunks are used:

• shavings and sawdust (previously they were simply burned as garbage) are dried in a special drying chamber and driven through a cycle plant that rejects too large particles for re-grinding;

The process of cutting chipboard and milling the ends is carried out on special equipment

• the raw materials corresponding to the requirements are mixed with formaldehyde resin and transferred to a conveyor belt, where the necessary shape is given to it by cold pressing;
• with the help of a hot press, the layers of the workpiece are tightly glued together, then the sheets are cooled, dried and sawn into plates of standard sizes;

Pros and cons of chipboard

The resulting durable and very affordable material instantly found application in the manufacture of upholstered and cabinet furniture, wagons, in construction (as formwork, partitions, beams, floors, paneling, frames). Among its advantages, we can note good indicators of heat and sound insulation.

Durable and inexpensive chipboard is used as partitions, floors, paneling, formwork

However, chipboard also has a number of serious drawbacks. It can absorb moisture (up to a third of its original volume) and deform. The plate can also lose its shape under the influence of heat. This limits the possibility of using chipboard sheets in the kitchen or bathroom. The only exceptions are canvases that have undergone special processing as a result of which the material becomes moisture- and fire-resistant.

Due to the dense structure, chipboard holds nails and screws well. However, due to the same structural features, the fastening hardware cannot be re-fixed, since the plate will begin to crumble. For the same reason, the material is not suitable for milling and creating curved contours.

And, finally, the most disadvantage of chipboard boards is the use of urea–formaldehyde and phenol-formaldehyde resins in the process of their manufacture. They prevent the processes of wood rotting, however, they do not have the most favorable effect on human health.

Fan coolers are used for cooling chipboard, which is an installation with a rotating drum

Pay attention! Formaldehyde is an extremely dangerous chemical. It can accumulate in the human body, cause poisoning or provoke the development of serious diseases. The main signs of poisoning are cough, irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat and eyes, dizziness, fatigue.

The main types of chipboard

There are several classifications of chipboard.

The amount of harmful substance in chipboard is indicated by the formaldehyde emission class E1 and E2. Class E1 is considered to be environmentally safer (corresponds to GOST 10632-89 adopted in Russia). Class E2 is not suitable for use in children’s rooms. Many European manufacturers have already stopped the production of chipboard of this class.

Chipboard is made from pressed wood chips with the addition of a binder — thermosetting synthetic resin

Depending on the quality and appearance of the finished product , chipboard can be:

• the first grade (for its production, only high-quality raw materials are taken without foreign inclusions, most often sawdust of the same tree species. The plate turns out smooth, without chips or with minimal permissible defects and is necessarily decorated on both sides with a film or veneer);
• second grade (scratches and chips are allowed, cladding is optional);
• third grade (has serious defects in the form of cracks, chips, irregularities. The slab is not lined, it is used only in auxiliary construction).

  

  The veneered slab looks as if it is made of precious wood

According to the type of cladding , chipboard is distinguished:

• rough (have no lining);
• laminated (coated with melamine film or special resistant varnish);
• veneered (have a lining in the form of a thin sheet of natural wood).

To figure out which is better – chipboard or chipboard, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of laminated panels.

Chipboard: what is it, a variety of color solutions

So what is LDPS? In fact, it has already been mentioned above and the decoding of chipboard is simple – it is a laminated chipboard. For the manufacture of chipboard (more precisely, LDStP), only high–quality polished chipboard is used.

The most reliable and proven facing material is natural veneer

At the final stage of production, they are coated with a special polymer film at high pressure and high temperatures. This film is made of paper impregnated with melamine resin. Sometimes, in the manufacture of expensive LSDs, a special varnish is used that is not afraid of water and scratches.

Finished chipboard panels are cooled, dried and sawn in accordance with standard sizes.

Chipboard lacks many of the disadvantages inherent in chipboard. They are not afraid of moisture and high temperatures, so furniture makers often prefer to assemble kitchens from chipboard (photos of these headsets clearly demonstrate the popularity of such a solution).

Cutting (cutting) Chipboard is carried out on modern high-performance equipment

An additional advantage of this material is its low cost and ease of processing. It is enough just to cut a sheet of chipboard and trim the edges with an edge, which, by the way, significantly reduces the level of formaldehyde evaporation.

Useful advice! It is possible to trim the chipboard only on a special machine. There are many companies and building materials stores that provide such a service. From the received blanks, it will not be difficult to assemble furniture from chipboard with your own hands – a bed, a bookcase or a wardrobe.

Chipboard is very strong and holds fasteners well. They are practically not afraid of mechanical damage, and with proper and very simple care they can last at least 10 years.

Chipboard furniture is able to withstand the effects of steam, water and significant temperature changes

Among the undoubted advantages of laminated panels, one can note the widest color palette presented in the color catalogs of chipboard. Thanks to the coating, they can imitate any material, fit into any interior.

Related article:

Chipboard tongue-and-groove moisture-resistant: a new development in the building materials market

Characteristics and main advantages of the material. Areas of use. Features and rules of installation. The average cost of production.

Catalogs with samples and photos of chipboard, the colors of which are represented by hundreds of shades, can show several palettes:

• plain smooth (vanilla, blue, green water);
• plain textured (aluminum, titanium, concrete);
• wood colors (maple, cherry, wenge);
• glossy decors;
• fancy decors (various patterns and drawings).

Chipboard furniture is perfectly combined with various materials – glass, metal, ceramic tiles

All this makes chipboard sheets a versatile and extremely popular material. They are used in bathrooms and children’s rooms, to create decorative partitions, upholstered and cabinet furniture. On the forums, you can easily find a lot of positive reviews: chipboard kitchens are able to withstand the effects of steam, water and significant temperature changes.

Laminated boards are perfectly combined with other materials – glass, mirrors, metal, plastic panels, as well as fiberboard and MDF.

Which is better: Chipboard or MDF

The variety of materials in stores cannot but puzzle customers. Which is better for furniture – MDF or chipboard?

The chipboard color catalog offers customers a large selection of shades and textures

There are fundamental differences between chipboard and MDF. Chipboard is made from wood shavings and sawdust, formaldehyde acts as a binding component.

In the production of MDF, wood dust is used (wood processing industry waste crushed to a very fine fraction) and exclusively natural binding components – paraffin and lignin. Thanks to this composition, MDF is much more environmentally friendly than chipboard. They can be safely used even for finishing children’s rooms.

Pay attention! Paraffin is not only eco-friendly, but also has water-repellent properties, so there is no need to additionally process MDF boards with special impregnations.

Radius facades are able to give furniture designs originality

Unlike chipboard, MDF is a very plastic and soft material. It is easy to mill, which is why it is so popular in the manufacture of luxury furniture. Most of the bent elements, carved headboards and intricately executed facades are made of MDF. Photos of chipboard beds or kitchen facades cannot please with such decorativeness, because the furniture is made of a material with a crumbling edge, unsuitable for milling.

Nevertheless, many, choosing between chipboard or MDF, prefer laminated panels. The reason is simple: the cost of MDF is much higher than democratic chipboard fabrics. According to consumer reviews, chipboard furniture is successfully leading the domestic market, and last but not least, this is due to reasonable prices.

Chipboard panels have a wide range of colors

Another weighty argument in favor of laminated chipboard is the richness of color solutions. In the chipboard catalog or on the websites of online stores, you can choose the right shade or texture that will harmoniously fit into any interior style – from classic to modern.

Leading manufacturers of chipboard: Egger, Kronoshpan, Lamarti, Nevsky Laminate

When buying chipboard, it is very important to make sure that the product has all the necessary certificates that guarantee the safety of the material for human health and is of high quality, ensuring a long service life. However, only large manufacturing companies can ensure that standards and technical regulations are strictly observed at each stage of production. The leaders in the domestic market are foreign companies Egger and Kronoshpan, as well as domestic manufacturers of Lamarti and Nevsky Laminate.

To refine the product, a special edge is glued to the visible ends of the chipboard panels

CHIPBOARD Egger: colors and advantages of the material

The company’s head office is located in Austria. Founded in 1961 by Fritz Egger Sr., the modest family firm gradually grew to become one of the leading manufacturers of chipboard in the world.

The highest quality of manufactured products, an extensive catalog of Egger chipboard colors and pleasant prices are achieved by opening local production facilities in 7 European countries, including Russia. First-class raw materials are mainly made from coniferous wood and do not include foreign elements. Laminated plates fully comply with European safety standards.

A huge variety is provided by the Egger chipboard color catalog, which allows you to realize any design solution:

• solid-color chipboard (white, lagoon, alabaster, beige sand, canyon, pumpkin yellow, green water, Chinese red, reed, Baltic blue and dozens more colors) – presented in matte and glossy versions;

Chipboard is a moisture–resistant and very eco-friendly material

• textural decors (light concrete, beige leather, amalvi grey-white marble, titanium, bronze quartz, indigo quartz, etc.);
• colors of chipboard Egger under the tree (Calvados pink, Venchester light oak, blooming pear, natural rosewood, cremona champagne oak, zebrano Havana, merano natural – more than 100 shades, perfectly imitating natural wood).

We can state a steady increase in demand for Egger chipboard. Customer reviews only confirm the positive dynamics, while noting the high wear resistance of the material, excellent quality and minimal presence of formaldehyde resins (“pine smell without chemicals”).

Chipboard Kronoshpan: high quality and rich assortment

Another Austrian company whose history began with a small family sawmill in Salzburg in 1897. Currently, its activities cover 24 countries of the world.

Chipboard Kronoshpan has high quality and a large color assortment

Among the undoubted advantages of laminated slabs of this company can be distinguished:

• good moisture resistance, which allows them to be used in bathrooms and kitchens;
• increased wear resistance;
• a solid catalog of colors of chipboard Kronoshpan;
• environmental friendliness;
• antistatic, guaranteeing additional protection from dust;
• a fairly democratic pricing policy;
• long service life (up to 20 years).

Chipboard has many color and texture solutions for the decoration of furniture for any interior

The colors presented in the chipboard Kronoshpan catalog can be classified as follows:

• textures (deep pores, wood pores, office, smooth, shagreen, mother of pearl);
• solid colors (blue modra atoll, lime green, white facade, bordeaux, Inca gold, lavender, viola);
• wood (chipboard Milanese walnut, snow birch, chipboard guarneri walnut, corduroy dark, chipboard bodega light, alder plank, rustic oak, ash shimo warm);
• fantasy (sakura is white, imeneo is white, twist is dark).

Even such a short overview of the colors of chipboard Kronoshpan gives a good idea of how rich their palette is and how diverse the textures are. Actually, a surprisingly plausible imitation of the rough surface of natural wood is a kind of business card of many chipboard lines of this Austrian company.

Chipboard can have: wood texture, metal and stone styling, textured pattern

Lamarti: characteristics of chipboard, colors, photos with names

Due to strict quality control at every stage of production, laminated chipboard from Syktyvkar plywood factory successfully competes in the Russian market with the products of foreign companies. Chipboard boards of this company are made of high-quality raw materials (coniferous and birch wood species without foreign inclusions like bark), have an environmental certificate and excellent technical characteristics.

They are wear-resistant, are not afraid of the effects of steam, moisture and high temperatures, are environmentally friendly, durable and retain their original color for a long time, and the impressive catalogues of Lamarti chipboard colors will allow you to realize any design idea.

The Lamarti chipboard color catalog includes:

• solid colors (topaz, chili, serenity, coral, monsoon, lemon, sepia);
• textural decors (slate, titanium, chinon, aluminum, pine exotic concrete);
• imitations of wood (plum, marsala oak, wenge light chipboard, latte, bamboo, noche amati, bleached oak, elm, Italian walnut chipboard);

Extensive catalogs of chipboard colors will allow you to realize any design idea

• imitations of wood (plum, marsala oak, wenge light chipboard, latte, bamboo, noche amati, bleached oak, elm, Italian walnut chipboard);
• fancy colors of Lamarti chipboard (linen, spring, arabica flowers, modern, luino, graffiti).

Chipboard Nevsky Laminate: affordable price, European quality

Laminated sheets from the Nevsky Laminate Plant differ favorably from foreign analogues with their low cost. At the same time, they have all the necessary quality certificates and good environmental characteristics. Chipboard from this manufacturer holds fasteners well, is not afraid of moisture, is resistant to mechanical damage and has a long service life.

The catalog of colors of chipboard “Nevsky Laminate” offers customers a large selection of shades and textures:

• solid colors (orange, lime, anthracite, yellow narcissus, wine red, bitter chocolate, white pearl);
• textured (linen, titanium, aluminum);
• fantasy decors (liter nero, newport, seine, titan, flora verde, mocha stitch);
• wood decors (chipboard ash shimo light, Indian ebony light chipboard, French oak, macassar, Swiss elm, jarrah, canterberry oak, caramel).

Due to its high wear resistance, chipboard can be used in any room

Regardless of whether the plates are made in Europe or in Russia, laminated chipboard will be an excellent choice for many years to come thanks to the optimal combination of price and quality.