WHAT’S BEST FOR BASEBOARD TOPS?
What’s the best material for the top of a baseboard? Different people have recommended MDF and plywood. Apart from cost, what’s the difference?
Gary Barnard, by email
George says: Formed from compressed wood fibres, MDF is a very stable and reliable sheet material. It’s available in various thicknesses, but it can be fairly heavy, especially in thicker sections. The dust produced when cutting and sanding is hazardous to health, so the wearing of a suitable respirator is essential. Highly absorbent, it is not recommended for use in damp areas such as sheds or garages unless sealed with a primer. Waterproof versions are available, but these are more expensive.
Plywood is created by layering sheets of wood veneer with their grain at 90º to each other, creating an extremely strong board, even when rendered in thin sections. Available in various thicknesses, 9mm is usually an ideal choice for a baseboard top. It retains a flexible nature, but with a good resistance to warping and twisting. Many plywood grades are formed from hardwoods and employ waterproof adhesives. However, they can still be susceptible to dimensional changes when employed in damp conditions unless sealed with an oil, paint or varnish finish. Cutting plywood requires a good quality handsaw, or preferably a power saw, as the material is prone to splintering. The cost of plywood has risen dramatically in the past decade.
A further option is Sundeala hobbyboard, which is manufactured from recycled newsprint and is cheaper than plywood. Lightweight and durable, it is ideal for model railway boards. Like most sheet material, it must be supported with a timber frame with cross-braces spaced at intervals of around 40cm. Being formed of compacted recycled paper, the material is porous, which can lead to expansion when sited in a damp environment. Conditioning the boards during construction is recommended in all cases, brushing water onto the rear face of the board and allowing it to soak in while keeping it flat on a surface and left for a few days. Sundeala boards accept track pins easily (in contrast to MDF or plywood) and it can be used in several layers to create relief without adding excessive overall weight to the baseboards.