Dec 21 2006 - Small, but perfectly formed – thanks to 100 tonnes of Caberwood MDF
Dec 21 2006 - Small, but perfectly formed – thanks to 100 tonnes of Caberwood MDF
 

Nobody will be surprised to learn that Norbord’s market-leading Caberwood MDF is a vital component in the housebuilding industry. But some may be surprised to discover that at least one housebuilder uses Caberwood to build entire houses.

The Essex-based Dolls’ House Workshop builds approximately 8,000 Dolls’ houses a year using Caberwood MDF for the floors, walls, ceilings and even the roof. “In fact it’s used for everything with the exception of the hinges, which are brass” says the company’s Works Manager, Ron Carr.

According to Mr Carr, MDF has revolutionised the highly specialised doll’s house market. “It’s a very solid material that machines well and gives an exceptionally good quality finish on the edges - unlike plywood or hardboard.”

The Dolls’ House Workshop uses Caberwood MDF in thicknesses from 3mm to 9mm, shaping the material with computer-controlled CNC machines to produce intricate door and window details as well as the main carcass of the house. The company also uses 25mm Caberwood to make staircases.

Mr Carr estimates that The Dolls’ House Workshop consumes up to 100 tonnes of Caberwood each year. “We get through about 15 pallets a month so continuity of supply is very important to us” comments Mr Carr.

“We get our MDF from Norbord because the quality is very consistent and the supply is reliable” adds Mr Carr. “With some MDF, you can get variations in density which makes finishing more difficult. If the cross-section is more fibrous and porous, it takes longer to achieve a smooth finish”.

The Dolls’ House Workshop produces a range of models in a variety of styles, from Tudor cottages to Edwardian townhouses. The majority is sold to adult enthusiasts in the UK, although a small proportion of the company’s output is exported, mainly to the US.

Norbord’s Caberwood is the original MDF, first produced in 1966 at the company’s factory in Deposit, New York State. Since 1979, Caberwood has been in production at Norbord’s factory in Cowie, Stirlingshire using local timber from sustainably-managed forests. It is now the UK’s leading brand of MDF.

Caberwood is made in a variety of grades, including lightweight and moisture-resistant specifications, for the widest possible range of applications. It is an essential raw material in the furniture and construction industries as well as in many manufacturing processes.