We want our customers to truly understand the differences between the different core types so that they can make the best possible decision for their application.
Request a sample to see how our products stack up, and read on to learn more about how stave core stacks up against particle board door core.
Before we can really start comparing these types of cores, let’s learn about the manufacturing processes for both products!
Particle board core — sometimes referred to as chipboard, particleboard core, or low-density fiberboard (LDF) — are manufactured by mixing shavings, chips, and other wood waste together with resin.
The mixture is pressed into a sheet, run through a machine that chips them again, and the pieces are dried out. Those pieces of wood chips and resin are then treated with additives and chemicals and shaped into panels.
They go through multiple rounds of compression under precise conditions to ensure the final product's correct size, density, and consistency.
Particle board is an engineered wood product that originated in Germany back in the 1880s. What we now call particle board core was known as “artificial wood.”
Stave core, also known as lumber core or save lumber core, is made of solid staves or chunks of wood glued together.
At Western Core, we use only top-quality Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, and White Fir. We take the lumber and remove knots and other defects.
Then, we glue the blocks of natural wood together using moisture-resistant Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glue.
The core is pressed together using a Radio Frequency (RF) press system and kiln-dried into sheets.
Particle board core is a composite product and is not known for being the strongest or most durable product on the market. It is most often used in shelving, cabinets, and furniture that don't bear a ton of weight.
Though the manufacturing process has improved through the years, particle boards can and will split.
There are specialized fasteners for particle board cores and countless articles on how to make repairs on chipped or split particle boards!
Stave core is a stronger option and durable enough for most industrial and architectural applications, including heavy-use wood doors. Stave core is known for holding screws better and being more resistant to warping.
At Western Core, we take special care in the manufacturing process so screws and nails can go into our stave core in any direction without damage.
While the density and consistency of particle boards are controlled during the engineering and manufacturing process, there is always room for error with composite materials.
Particle board core manufacturers use wood waste and leftover lumber pieces. The look and quality isn't very appealing. Most particle board doors and furniture are covered with veneer or laminate.
Western Core makes our stave core with carefully selected raw materials and removes knots and other flaws throughout the process.
As a result, you get consistent high quality core for your building applications that can look great on its own.
Though made from high-quality raw materials and expertly jointed together, stave core is lighter in weight than particle board core, which is good news for you.
Lower shipping costs, less wear and tear on your machines, and so many more benefits come along with the lower weights of stave core.
When you’re ready to see the true difference between Western Core stave core and particle board core, request a sample. Once you’ve seen the high quality products we’re manufacturing, your decision will be an easy one.
Our samples are a great way to see our core in person, so you can make sure it meets the strict requirements for your products and customers.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.