If you’re looking for a reliable, durable, and stunning surface for your home, you can’t go wrong with timber sheets. Made from wood, and coming in all different shapes and sizes, they have proven popular for decades and continue to be used in residential and commercial properties across the country.

There are many different types of timber wood sheets, and they come in an array of variations that not only affect their appearance but also their capabilities. It is therefore vital that you choose the right sheet for your project, which can make navigating the market rather challenging.

This guide has been put together to help take you through some of the most important factors you’ll need to consider if you’re looking for timber sheeting. We’ll be looking at subjects such as uses, features, and some of the more well-known manufacturers that you’re likely to encounter when looking for that ideal timber sheet.

Why Role is Your Timber Serving?

This is extremely important, as it will be the main determining factor on which sheets you should and should not consider as potentially viable. Plywood is extremely versatile, resilient, and long-lasting, while an alternative like chipboard, while potentially kinder to your budget, is less so. To find out more about what sheets are suited for which applications, check out our section on ‘Types of Timber Sheet Materials’.

Outside or Inside?

Another important question, as it not only means you’ll need to disregard some timber sheet options but also that you’ll need to keep an eye out for confirmation that your preferred sheet product is suitable for outside use. For example, plywood, with correct treatments and formulas applied, is suitable for exterior projects and will prove resistant to a majority of weather and temperature conditions.

Meanwhile, other sheets can be applied to exterior projects but will require protection of some sort, such as roofing or additional cladding applied over it. Chipboard is a good example of this, as it is not as resistant to the elements as other sheets. MDF shouldn’t be used outside at all, as it is particularly vulnerable to rain.

Where in the House/Garden?

You’ll want to think about where in the house you want to place your wooden sheet. If you are placing it in a kitchen, for example, you may want to avoid chipboard and MDF as they are less effective in areas of humidity. Bathrooms pose similar problems.

If you’re adding wood to a project that prioritises appearance – whether in the home or the garden – you’ll also want to avoid some of these wood types. Plywood, on the other hand, is a fantastic choice. Versatile enough to suit numerous designs and also one of the most durable timber sheets you can buy.

Visual or Practical?

As already mentioned, wood sheet types look very different to one another, with the appearance, texture, and practical capabilities varying hugely. This is why it's important to decide what is more important to your project – the look of the wood or its durability. If you’re covering the wood in some way – say, you’re using chipboard for an insulation renovation – then visual appearance shouldn’t matter much, if at all.

When it comes to timber sheet projects, size can either be relatively unimportant or incredibly crucial, depending on both the project itself and the sheets you are using. As mentioned above, at least two of the most popular timber sheet materials – plywood and hardboard – are very difficult to cut yourself, which is why getting the size right from the offset is important.

MDF is one of the more reliably straightforward wooden sheets to cut up and alter the shape into your desired form. This can be done with a mitre saw or circular saw to achieve the best results.

Roofing sheets are available in a wide range of sizes to help you avoid needing to cut unnecessarily, and if you can find the perfect number and sizes of sheets to fit your project, then the installation process should move along more quickly and efficiently. Be sure to shop around the different brands, which may offer different sizes between sheets of the same material with very little difference in the beneficial properties and factors.

When it comes to wooden sheets, the best fixings can vary between the main four sheeting types. Plywood and hardboard can generally support nails, screws, and the like, thanks to their much more durable build. This is why these two wood sheet types are ideal for more heavy-duty furniture construction. Meanwhile, less durable materials like chipboard are better fixed with glue rather than nails.

All wooden sheets – so long as they aren’t too thick and heavy – can be applied reliably with glue, and for many builders of furniture and panelling, a good adhesive is more than enough to keep the wood secure. Sometimes, professionals and enthusiasts alike may instead opt to apply both glue and nails and/or screws, creating an even more secure connection between two wood sheets or a wood sheet and a surface.

A rule of thumb when it comes to the pricing of wooden sheeting materials is that the more durable a sheet is, the more expensive it is likely to be per square millimetre. This isn’t a surefire way to navigate the market when it comes to pricing, but if you were to search sheets of similar sizes but constructed from different materials, this is the pattern you are most likely to spot.

Size, material, and brand are the three biggest factors behind sheet pricing, with large plywood sheets tending to be the most expensive, especially those designed for use in marine environments, as they have been specially treated and are often incredibly durable against a range of conditions outside of marine use. Thin chipboard, meanwhile, will most likely prove the least costly wooden sheet material you will find, though potential uses are much more limited due to its delicate design and lack of longevity.

Timber sheets are highly versatile, and as such, instructions on how to install them properly will vary wildly between projects. Covering every single method of wood installation would make this a very long guide indeed. Therefore, we’ve taken a common, straightforward use for timber sheets – wood panel installation.

In order to install wood panelling, you will need:

• Your chosen wooden sheeting
• Spirit level
• Dust mask and protective clothing
• Saw or utility knife
• Caulk
• Sandpaper or electric sander
• Hammer
• Chosen fixings
• Wood sheet primer
• Paint
• Paintbrush or roller
• Appropriate adhesive (heavier duty for heavier wood sheets)
• Tape measure

1. Find a workspace that is accessible. If you are working inside, allow for plenty of ventilation by opening up any doors and windows in the vicinity. Before you handle or alter your wood sheets in any way, apply your dust mask and protective clothing.
2. Clear your workspace of any debris or obstacles that may get in your way. If you cannot remove these objects, be sure to cover them with the appropriate sheeting.
3. If you need to, cut your timber sheets to the correct size with a circular or mitre saw. Remember that, as stated above, some timber sheets are best not cut unless it is absolutely necessary. Be careful with these sheets and ensure that your saw is up to the task, though we recommend avoiding cutting both tougher and more fragile sheets altogether.
4. Sand down any sharp edges that may cause splintering or cutting, whether against a nearby surface or those that might come into contact with the sheeting (including you).
5. If you are applying your sheets to a surface (E.G as part of a wall panelling project), be sure to inspect this panel beforehand. While blemishes and small imperfections are fine, you’ll want to mend or remove more noticeable problems, as these can affect the solidarity of your timber sheets, especially if you plan on glueing them in place.
6. Apply your chosen adhesive to the back of the sheet wherever you intend it to be fixed. As this installation example is referring to panelling, you would apply the adhesive in a zig-zag motion all across the back of the sheet. Then, press against the surface firmly and hold in place if the glue instructions specify that you should do so. Once it has started to set, you can leave it in place and wait for it to dry.
7. If the glue appears to have trouble setting and securing your panel, you may need to apply nails or screws, if only for that extra peace of mind. Be mindful that many types of less durable timber sheeting like chipboard will not take screws or nails particularly well, as this can lead to cracking and splintering. If you are unsure, check for product manuals/descriptions, or contact the manufacturer for confirmation of what fixings are best for your chosen sheets.
8. Once your panel is set, repeat the process as needed.
9. Once you have installed all of your sheets, clear the area of your work, but be sure to clean away dust thoroughly if there is any. You can then prepare to move on to steps such as priming and/or applying paint to your wood if that is something you plan to do next.

You should now be more aware of some of the key factors you will want to consider when picking out the ideal timber sheeting for your next project. Need a hand picking something out? Don't hesitate to get in touch, we'll be happy to help. 

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