What is fibreboard made from?
Fibreboard is a very popular type of underlay. Laid beneath either wooden or laminate flooring, it is commonly used in a domestic setting for hallways, stairways, living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms and more. But what exactly is it made from and what benefits does it have to offer?
These are questions we get asked all the time at Carpet Underlay Shop – often by customers who are unsure whether to buy fibreboard underlay for their project. Fortunately, our in-house experts have excellent knowledge in this area and can shed a little light on its unique construction.
3 steps to manufacture fibreboard underlay
Fibreboard underlay is made from a mixture of raw materials, including wood chips, plant fibres, softwood flakes, sawdust, cardboard and paper. It was first manufactured in the early 1960s. But since then, due to advancements in technology and machinery, the manufacturing process has changed and improved significantly.
Now, it typically involves three steps:
1. Preparation
Production of high-quality fibreboard always starts by refining the raw materials. Firstly, they are cut and chopped into much smaller (more manageable) pieces. Then, a special magnet is used to remove any metal impurities and foreign objects.
2. Bonding
The next step is to bond the fibreboard materials together. Essentially, this is done by passing them through a defibrator machine – under conditions of high pressure and heat. The materials are tightly compressed, to remove any water, and a synthetic resin or wax is added to hold them in place.
3. Compacting
Finally, the bonded fibres are pushed through scraping rolls – and compacted – to produce a mat or fibreboard sheet. This sheet can be pressed several times, until the desired uniform thickness and size has been achieved. To ensure a smooth finish, the fibreboard is then sanded using abrasive belts and anti-static technology is used to remove any static electricity.
Benefits of fibreboard underlay
Due to the way it is manufactured – and the materials from which it is made – fibreboard underlay is both relatively cheap and has a range of beneficial properties. For example, it:
- is lightweight and easy-to-handle
- successfully reduces airborne and impact noise
- demonstrates excellent thermal insulation
- is environmentally-friendly
- is durable and resists heavy furniture
- is quick and simple to install
Not only does it level-out and hide imperfections in the subfloor, it can also significantly enhance the look and feel of your flooring and will extend the overall lifespan of hardwood or laminate.
Invest in fibreboard underlay for your home
Here at Carpet Underlay Shop, as part of our wood and laminate underlay collection, we currently stock 5mm and 7mm fibreboard underlay – for £1.68 per m2 and £1.99 per m2, respectively.
These are a fail-safe choice for any home renovation project or new build home. Manufactured by Royale – one of the finest brands in the industry – they’re made to the highest possible standard and boast a range of excellent features (e.g. 23-26dB sound reduction, thermal insulation, underfoot comfort). Yet, despite this, they’re still available for a competitive and affordable price.
To order yours, simply select the desired quantity and add it to your basket. Checkout is quick and easy and your new fibreboard underlay will be delivered to your address in just a few working days. If you have any questions, or you would like to find out more about how fibreboard is made, you’re also welcome to get in touch. Either give us a call on 0203 887 0994 or send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and a member of our team will get back to you.
- Carl Smith
