Furniture Board Types in Pakistan: MDF, HDHMR, Particle Board and Plywood Compared
Before you pick a finish, you pick a furniture board, and that choice decides how a wardrobe, kitchen or shelf will behave in ten years. Pakistan sells several board types that look alike on a shop shelf but hold screws, resist water and carry weight very differently. This guide compares the common ones and shows which board suits which job. It is part of our MDF and HPL sheets range.
How furniture boards differ
All furniture boards are made from wood in some form, but the form changes everything. Plywood is thin layers of veneer glued crosswise. MDF is wood fibre pressed with resin into a smooth, uniform board. Particle board is chips and sawdust bonded with resin. HDHMR is a denser, moisture-resistant fibre board. Block board has a core of wooden strips with a veneer face.
The cut edge is the quickest way to tell them apart: layers for plywood, fine uniform fibre for MDF, coarse chips for particle board, and a darker, denser fibre for HDHMR.
Board types compared
Use the table as a quick reference before you decide.
| Board | Strength | Moisture | Best for | Weak point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | Medium, very flat | Low (MR grade better) | Painted doors, wall panels, wardrobes in dry rooms | Swells if edges are exposed to water |
| HDHMR | Higher, dense | Good | Kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes | Heavier, higher rate than MDF |
| Particle board | Low to medium | Low | Budget shelves, office furniture | Weak at edges and screws |
| Block board | Good over spans | Medium | Doors, long shelves | Edge detail needed |
| Plywood | High | Good (marine grade best) | Structural furniture, kitchens, beds | Surface needs veneer or laminate |
For the full comparison of two of these, read MDF vs plywood.
MDF: smooth and economical
MDF is the most used board for interior joinery because it is flat, takes paint and laminate beautifully and cuts cleanly into shapes. It is not structural and not for wet rooms unless you choose a moisture-resistant grade and seal all edges. Our MDF board page lists thicknesses and uses.
HDHMR: the kitchen and bathroom board
HDHMR is denser and more moisture-resistant than ordinary MDF, which is why it is chosen for kitchen carcasses, bathroom vanities and wardrobes near damp walls. It holds screws better and is less likely to swell. It still needs sealed edges and should not stand in water. The HDHMR sheet page explains grades and thickness.
Plywood: strength where it counts
Plywood has the best strength-to-weight ratio of the common boards and holds fixings well, which makes it the right choice for beds, long shelves and kitchen structures. Grades vary a lot, so ask for the grade and the glue type. See our plywood sheets page for grades and thickness.
Choosing a board by room
- Bedroom wardrobe: MDF or HDHMR with laminate; plywood for long spans.
- Kitchen: HDHMR or marine plywood for carcasses; moisture-resistant core is the priority.
- Bathroom vanity: HDHMR or plywood with sealed edges, or a PVC board.
- TV unit and wall panels: MDF is fine in dry rooms.
- Office furniture: particle board or MDF with melamine for economy.
Sheet size and thickness
The standard board is 8 x 4 ft, which is 2440 x 1220 mm or 32 sq ft. Common thicknesses run from about 3 mm for backs up to 25 mm for shelves and worktops, with 18 mm the usual carcass and door board. Dividing the sheet price by 32 gives the rate per square foot, which is the fairest way to compare boards of the same thickness.
What affects the rate of a board
The rate depends on the board type, thickness, grade and brand. A moisture-resistant or higher-density board costs more than a standard one, and a thicker board costs more than a thin one. We quote each board in writing, because market rates move.
| Board | Size | Material only or installed | Supply area | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF, standard and MR | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 930 – 10,200 / sheet, by thickness (2.2mm – 24mm) |
| HDHMR | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 6,500 – 11,000 per 8×4 sheet |
| Plywood, commercial and marine | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 3,600 – 14,000 per 8×4 sheet |
| Board | Size | Material only or installed | Supply area | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF, standard and MR | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 930 – 10,200 / sheet, by thickness (2.2mm – 24mm) |
| HDHMR | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 6,500 – 11,000 per 8×4 sheet |
| Plywood, commercial and marine | 8 x 4 ft, by thickness | Material only | Supply across Pakistan | PKR 3,600 – 14,000 per 8×4 sheet |
Our published MDF ranges are on the MDF sheet prices in Lahore page.
Furniture Boards: Frequently Asked Questions
There is no single best board. Plywood is strongest, HDHMR is best for kitchens and damp rooms, MDF is smoothest and most economical for dry rooms, and particle board is the budget option. Match the board to the room, the load it will carry and your budget.
For moisture and screw-holding, yes. HDHMR is denser and more moisture-resistant, so it suits kitchens, bathrooms and wardrobes near damp walls. It costs more and is heavier. For a painted door or panel in a dry room, ordinary MDF is perfectly good.
Only in a moisture-resistant grade, with every edge and cut-out sealed, and kept away from sinks, dishwashers and standing water. For a kitchen carcass, HDHMR or marine plywood is the safer choice, because ordinary MDF swells and crumbles when water reaches the core.
The standard size is 8 x 4 ft, which is 2440 x 1220 mm or 32 sq ft. Thickness commonly runs from about 3 mm to 25 mm, with 18 mm used for most carcasses and doors. Confirm the thickness when comparing quotes.
Look at the cut edge. Plywood shows layers, MDF shows fine uniform fibre, particle board shows coarse chips, and HDHMR looks denser and darker. A reliable dealer should also state the board name, thickness and grade in writing on the quote or invoice.
Send the board type, thickness, size and quantity on WhatsApp. We reply with a written rate per sheet that is current on that day, and we can suggest the right board for your room if you are not sure which to use.
Not sure which board you need?
Tell us the room and the job. We suggest a board and quote it.