Flooring with plywood is often known for its strength, but is it always the better option compared to chipboard? Choosing the right base for your floor isn’t as simple as it looks. Your subfloor choice impacts more than just what lies beneath, it affects durability, moisture defence, ease of fitting, and even how your finished floor feels when you walk on it. Picking the wrong material can cause squeaks, warping, or early wear, especially in busy or damp areas.
Whether you’re an experienced contractor bound by strict standards or a DIY enthusiast tackling your first home project, it’s vital to know the main differences between these materials. This guide explains everything so you can build smarter, from the ground up.
Understanding the Basics: What Are Chipboard and Plywood?
Before picking a material, you must know what it is. Chipboard and plywood may look alike, but their construction and behavior are very different, which affects your flooring project.
Chipboard: The Engineered Budget Option
Chipboard, also called particleboard or chipboard flipboard, is made by pressing wood chips and glue under heat and pressure. It is a man-made wood panel, usually denser and heavier than plywood but less able to resist moisture.
Commonly used in furniture, temporary flooring, and underlays.
Strengths: Cost-effective, uniform surface, easy to cut.
Drawbacks: Swells when exposed to moisture, weaker load-bearing.
Plywood: The Layered Powerhouse
Plywood is made of thin wood sheets glued together with their grains at right angles, giving it great strength and some flexibility.
Uses include roofing, flooring, and wall sheathing.
Strengths: Resists moisture, very strong, adaptable.
Drawbacks: Higher cost, may split or peel if of poor quality.
Strength and Durability: Which One Wins?
A floor’s strength isn’t just about holding weight; it’s about lasting for years. To pick the right material, you need to know how each copes with weight, wear, and daily use.
Plywood: Built to Last
With wood layers glued at right angles, plywood won’t bend or warp easily. It works well under heavy items like furniture, appliances, or lots of foot traffic. If you fit hardwood or tiles, plywood gives a steady base.
Chipboard: Suitable for Light Loads
Regular chipboard can struggle under long-term weight. Over time, it may sag or bend, especially in busy areas. It also soaks up water fast and can puff up, causing bumps in the floor. For most homes and shops, flooring with plywood performs better overall.
Installation: Which One Saves You Time?
Ease of Handling
Chipboard is easier to cut and carry because it has a flat, even structure. It’s lighter too, so small jobs go faster.
Plywood needs stronger saws and a steadier hand, but once it’s down, it stays firm.
Fixings and Fasteners
Plywood holds screws firmly. If your floor moves or carries weight often, screws stay put.
Chipboard can crumble if you screw too close to the edge or tighten too much.
Cost Breakdown: Upfront vs Lifetime Value
Chipboard: Lower Initial Cost
Chipboard floorboard appeals to thrifty builders. It costs less per sheet and is quick to fit, cutting labour costs. You often see it in flat-pack furniture and basic flooring packs.
But those savings may not last. Moisture damage, sagging, or cracks can force early repairs or full replacement.
Plywood: Investment in Longevity
It does cost more, but the extra spend gives you higher load capacity, a longer service life, and fewer problems over time. In subfloors, that extra strength means a steadier, more durable floor.
For long-term value, many trade experts pick flooring with plywood despite its higher initial price.
Where Each Material Shines
Each material has its strengths, but using them in the wrong place can lead to costly mistakes. Choosing between chipboard and plywood is often about matching the material to the job. Here's where chipboard and plywood truly excel, depending on your project’s needs.
When to Use Chipboard:
Not every project calls for maximum strength, sometimes, efficiency and cost take priority. Before choosing a material, it’s important to understand where chipboard performs best and where it might fall short.
Flat-pack furniture or cabinet backs.
Temporary flooring or staging.
Low-traffic interior spaces.
When to Use Plywood:
Some builds demand more than just basic support, they need strength that lasts.
Knowing when plywood is the right choice can make all the difference in your project’s performance and longevity.
Subfloors in living areas.
Bathrooms and kitchens.
Structural flooring in multi-storey builds.
If you’re buying from a trusted building material supplies provider, always check load ratings and moisture resistance to ensure you get the correct grade.
Where Do They Work Best? Room-by-Room Guide
1. Kitchen and Bathroom
Go with flooring with plywood. Water and humidity in these spaces make chipboard a risky choice unless it’s MR (Moisture Resistant). Even then, MR chipboard isn’t as reliable as WBP plywood.
2. Bedrooms and Living Rooms
If you're laying carpet or laminate, standard chipboard floorboard can work fine, especially in upper floors or rooms with minimal moisture exposure.
3. Lofts and Storage Areas
Both materials are usable, but chipboard is commonly chosen here due to cost. However, if you’re storing heavy items, consider plywood for better strength.
4. Underfloor Heating Systems
Plywood offers better thermal stability and can withstand repeated temperature changes, making it the preferred material here.
Expert Tips Before You Buy
Smart purchasing goes beyond chasing the cheapest sheet. These checks can save you time and money:
Check the grade: Ask for MR chipboard or WBP plywood when moisture resistance matters.
Measure twice, buy once: Accurate room and underlay dimensions prevent waste.
Inspect sheets: Look for warps, cracks, or uneven surfaces before fitting.
Plan for access: If boards cover cables or heating pipes, choose panels that lift and refit easily.
Store correctly: Keep sheets flat and covered in a dry spot before installation to avoid swelling or bowing.
Why Choose BuildersMerchant for Your Flooring Supplies?
Not all suppliers are the same when you need dependable materials and clear advice. BuildersMerchant goes beyond selling boards; we give you confidence at every step.
Extensive range of reliable brands: We stock quality chipboard and plywood, so you always find the right board for your project.
Practical product help: Unsure about grades or which board suits each room? Our team gives honest, easy-to-understand support.
Fair prices with quality: You shouldn’t have to choose between cost and performance, so we offer both.
Quick and dependable delivery: Keep your job on track with fast delivery across the UK.
Service that puts you first: From DIYers to trade pros, we help you decide, no hard sell.
Choose the Right Board, Shape a Stronger Build
Match the right board to your needs, and you’ll set a firm base for your whole build. Whether you need budget-friendly chipboard or sturdy flooring with plywood, knowing how each performs means you make a choice that lasts.
When you’re ready to buy, BuildersMerchant offers quality, variety, and expert guidance. Choosing the correct board isn’t just another step, it’s the base everything else depends on. Don’t risk your build on the wrong sheet. Explore BuildersMerchant for trusted materials and tailored support.