Hardboard is produced by converting wood into fibers (defibering) and then reconstructing the fibers into panels. The American Hardboard Association defines hardboard as: “panel manufactured from inter-felted lignocellulosic fibers which are consolidated under heat and pressure in a hot-press to density of 31 pounds per cubic foot or greater.”

Specifying and purchasing hardboard is a detailed and precise process that needs expert guidance to avoid the well-known bureaucratic morass of the import world, and to avoid costly mistakes in overbuying and underbuying of product. With over 50 years of experience, you can trust Holland Southwest to provide high quality hardboard at the best possible price.

Here are the primary characteristics of hardboard panels:

• Surface is classified as either smooth one sided (S1S) or smooth two sides (S2S)
• Generally 4’ wide and 8’ long, though presses from 5’ x 16’ and larger exist. New technology 4’-8’ wide continuous presses are now common
• Thickness can vary from as thin as 1/10” to as thick as 7/16”.
• Industry standards require that the lengths of the face diagonals vary by not more than 1/64” for each foot of panel length; opposite sides of the panel may not vary in length by more than 1/8”; and the edges of the panel must be straight, within 1/64” for each foot of length or width.
• Moisture content may vary between 2% and 9%, but the variance may not be more than 3% within any one shipment.
• Hardboard conforming to industry standard is easily identifiable, as the panel is marked with a colored vertical stripe (or stripes).