What is Hardboard?

Hardboard is made from wood fibers compressed under significantly higher pressure and temperature than MDF. The result is a thinner, denser, harder panel. Standard hardboard has a density of 900-1,100 kg/m³, compared to 680-830 kg/m³ for MDF.

Two types exist. Standard (S1S) hardboard has one smooth face and one textured (screen-patterned) face. This is what most people picture when they think of hardboard. Tempered hardboard has been treated with linseed oil and baked, making it harder, more moisture-resistant, and darker in color.

Hardboard vs MDF: both are made from wood fibers, but the manufacturing process creates different products. MDF is available in thick panels (up to 1-1/4 inch) and machines like a dream on the router. Hardboard tops out at 1/4 inch and is used where thin, rigid panels are needed. MDF is the choice for cabinet doors and trim profiles. Hardboard is the choice for cabinet backs, drawer bottoms, and templates.

Pegboard is perforated hardboard, one of the most recognizable uses. The 1/4 inch thick panels with evenly spaced holes organize tools in virtually every workshop in North America.

Standard sizes: 4x8 feet in 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch thicknesses. Also available in 2x4 and 4x4 foot panels at hardware stores. Pricing is very low: $8-15 per 4x8 sheet.

Cut hardboard with a fine-tooth blade (60+ teeth) or score and snap thin sheets (1/8 inch) with a utility knife. The high density dulls blades faster than you might expect from such a thin material.

In SmartCutList, hardboard pieces like cabinet backs and drawer bottoms are often entered as a separate material group. The 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch thickness means these pieces come from different stock than your 3/4 inch casework.