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Durable, smooth, and cost-effective, hardboard is a versatile engineered wood product ideal for a wide range of interior applications. We offer high-quality hardboard panels perfect for cabinetry backs, drawer bottoms, wall panelling, furniture components, and craft projects where a clean, uniform surface is essential. Made from compressed wood fibres, hardboard is dense, stable, and easy to cut, paint, or laminate. Its smooth surface makes it a popular choice for painted finishes, templates, and decorative backing, while its strength and affordability make it a go-to material for both professionals and DIYers. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood is committed to offering practical, hard-to-find building materials along with expert, personalized service. Whether you're crafting custom furniture or tackling a home improvement project, hardboard delivers reliability and versatility—at great value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hardboard and what is it used for?
Hardboard is an engineered panel product made by compressing wood fibres under high heat and pressure without adhesives. It is dense, smooth on one or both sides, and dimensionally stable. Standard hardboard is used for cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, underlayment, pegboard, and template material. Tempered hardboard has an oil treatment applied during manufacturing that increases hardness, moisture resistance, and strength.
What is the difference between standard and tempered hardboard?
Tempered hardboard is treated with oil during manufacturing and then baked, which hardens the surface and improves moisture resistance compared to standard hardboard. Tempered hardboard is appropriate for underlayment, concrete forming, and applications with limited moisture exposure. Standard hardboard is suitable for interior applications including cabinet backs and drawer bottoms where moisture exposure is minimal.
What thickness of hardboard does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries hardboard in common thicknesses including 1/8 inch (3.2mm) and 1/4 inch (6.4mm). Both standard and tempered grades are available. Sheet size is standard 4x8. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm specific thicknesses and grades in current stock.
Can hardboard be painted?
Yes. Hardboard accepts paint well over a primer. The smooth surface produces a very even painted finish. Sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper before priming to improve adhesion. Oil-based primer is recommended for tempered hardboard as its surface oils can cause adhesion issues with water-based primers on some products.
Is hardboard suitable for pegboard applications?
Pegboard is a standard hardboard product with evenly spaced perforations for hanging hooks and accessories. Windsor Plywood carries standard pegboard in 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch thicknesses. The 1/4 inch thickness is more stable and accommodates heavier loads on standard pegboard hardware. Contact your local branch to confirm pegboard availability.