Which has a better strength when it comes to loft boarding- Plywood or Chipboard.?

Question

if there are any better suggestions, they are most welcome. Please indicate the cost of a typical board in your example.

Thanks a lot
Regards

Answer 1

In Uk chipboard is the more popular choice - 2 foot by four foot panels with tounges and groves have big advantage that they will fit through a loft hatch. Prices depends where you are and what quantities you can get - use a builder's merchant if you can rather than a diy store.

T&G is a better bet for sound and fire resistance than plain edge board in any event , and gives some structural continuity. You can get moisture resisting ('green') grade chipboard if that's a worry otherwise stay with the vanilla version. Superior grades of plywood undoubtedly have greater strength, but unless you are planning on having exceptionally heavy furniture in your loft, it is unnecessary - joists are likely to fail before the boarding does.

You pay several times more per sq foot for the better grades of ply and they are not widely available in T&G. The cheap forms are good for very little and nothng structural. Except in extreme circumstances it is really a waste using ply as conventional flooring. Avoid using Far Eastern or unsustainable sources for plywood.

I have used OSB which, if thick enough does the job and is comparable with chipboard in cost, if a bit bizarre looking. If you do decide to use plain edged boarding make sure you join then over a joist or noggin to avoid creating gaps through your construction.

Answer 2

Cheap Loft Boards

Answer 3

Use OSB--I think that is what you mean by chipboard. It is way cheaper than plywood and equally as strong as long as you orient the grain on the board to run perpendicular to the floor joists in your loft. This is what is typically used when constructing a new building. The cost of each in my area is $6.44 for a 4x8' board of OSB and $32.97 for a board of plywood.

Answer 4

Chipboard Loft Panels

Answer 5

Certainly we will offer opinions here. I happen to prefer Plywood, while others might choose differently for various reasons.

It's become pretty obvious in recent years, that "recycling" wood products, helps create other products, possibly at a lower cost. Unfortunately our society is WOOD HUNGRY, and budget conscious, while at the same time, many are environmentaly concerned.

I suspect if installed properly over beams/joists/rafters, and perhaps "finished"; it hardly matters whether or not you use Teak veneer Ply, or low grade GLIT (MDF).

TYPICAL might be a relative word, depending on your location and product availabilty.

Plywood in it's lowest grade (Sheating) might equate to less than $20 for a 4 x 8 sheet. I suspect pricing, in the USA certainly, is probably pretty standardized.

Steven Wolf

Answer 6

Plywood is a series of laminated boards with grain running at right angles to the board above, which is what gives it strength, it's also available in marine quality. Ply is capable of spanning between joists.

Chipboard is just wood chips pulped together with glue and will fall apart if it gets damp.

Answer 7

Plywood. Chipboard is glued wood scraps & does not stand up when damp/wet. I periodically check with the local wood distributors in my area until it is on sale to purchase large quantities. It will also vary in price if you need it delivered or if you can pick it up yourself.

Answer 8

Chipboard is fine. Before you board your loft, boost the insulation, before you put the boards down stick aluminium foil on the underside, helps insulation.

Answer 9

plywood is on overall stronger than chipboard, comparing the same thickness, but chipboard is more insulating, the packs that you can buy are very thick and heavy, you'll need a van for even a small floor space.
try bnq for a quote.

Answer 10

Ply wood is better as it is made up of layers but chipboard is cheaper. Try homebase as answered in previous thread