27 Aug Building Board Types Compared: MDF to Nutec
Walk into Online Building and you’ll find MDF, shutterply, marine ply, hardboard, MagnaBoard, Nutec and bendy ply all stocked side by side. They can look similar off the shelf, but each is engineered for a different job: a different core material, a different glue, a different finish. Using the wrong one costs you money twice, once on the board itself, and again when it warps, delaminates or fails in an environment it was never built for.
Here’s how the boards we stock compare, so you can match the right one to the right project the first time.
Board Comparison at a Glance
| Board | Best For | Typical Sizes | Water Resistance | Price Band |
| MDF | Furniture, cabinetry, interior panelling | 2440×1220, 3mm to 22mm | Poor, indoor use only | Budget to mid |
| Shutterply | Concrete formwork, sub-floors, temporary structures | 2440×1220, 21mm | Low to moderate | Budget |
| Marine Ply | Boat building, exterior furniture, staircases | 2440×1220, 6mm and up | Excellent, WBP glue | Premium |
| Hardboard | Partitioning, built-in cupboards, wall panelling | Thin sheet stock | Poor, indoor use only | Budget |
| MagnaBoard | Fire-rated walls, ceilings, cladding, wet areas | 2700×1220, 6mm to 15mm | Excellent, immune to moisture | Mid to premium |
| Nutec / Fibre Cement | Exterior cladding, fascias, roofing, ceilings | Boards and sheets, various | Excellent, weatherproof | Mid to premium |
| Bendy Ply | Curved furniture, cabinetry, ceiling designs | 2440×1220, 3mm to 5mm | Low, non-structural | Mid-range |
MDF
Medium Density Fibreboard, known locally as Supawood, is made from fine wood fibres pressed with resin under heat, giving it a uniform, knot-free surface that is easy to cut, laminate and paint. It is a strong choice for furniture, cabinetry, wall panelling and decorative projects, since the consistent core takes detailed cutting and a clean finish better than solid timber.
Its one real weakness is moisture: it swells and breaks down if it gets wet, so keep it strictly indoors and away from damp areas like bathrooms and laundries. Browse our MDF board range for sizes from 3mm through to 22mm.
Shutterply
Shutterply is an economical board made of layers of 100% pine ply, built to hold its shape under the pressure of wet concrete during shuttering. It is reusable, tough, and the go-to choice for sub-floors, temporary structures, packaging and formwork on site, which is why it turns up on almost every construction job at some stage. It lacks the waterproof glue of marine or exterior ply though, so it is not meant for a permanent, high-finish or long-term outdoor application.
For a deeper look at how it is used on site, see our guide on shutterply on building sites.
Marine Ply
Marine ply is hardwood plywood bonded with a WBP, or water and boil proof, glue, with A-grade faces on both sides so it looks as good as it performs. It is built for constant moisture exposure, from boat building to exterior furniture, staircases and any project that needs to survive years of direct water contact without delaminating. That level of performance carries a premium price tag, but for a long-life outdoor build it is usually the cheaper option over time compared to replacing a lesser board every few seasons.
See our marine ply range for current stock and sizes.
Hardboard
Hardboard is a dense, rigid board made from compressed wood fibres, with a smooth surface that resists warping over time. It is one of the most affordable boards we stock and works well for partitioning, built-in cupboards, wall panelling and even flooring underlay in high-traffic areas, but like MDF it is an indoor material only and will not tolerate sustained damp. Have a look at our hardboard stock for current sizes and pricing.
MagnaBoard
MagnaBoard is South Africa’s only fire-rated magnesium oxide board, and it holds up to fire, insects, mould and water without losing dimensional stability, even when wet. That makes it a strong option for cladding, ceilings, drywalling and wet-area partitions where ordinary board products fall short, and its fire performance is a factor SABS testing looks at closely for these applications. Explore our MagnaBoard range in thicknesses from 6mm to 15mm.
Nutec and Fibre Cement
Nutec and fibre cement boards are made from cement reinforced with fibres, giving a material that resists rot, fire and pests while standing up to South Africa’s weather far better than timber-based boards.
This range covers cladding, fascias, ceiling boards and roof sheeting, and it is a common choice wherever a board needs to live outdoors long-term without ongoing maintenance. It is also low-maintenance once installed, since it does not need repainting or sealing the way timber cladding often does. For a closer look at the full lineup, read our Nutec products guide, or browse the fibre cement category directly.
Bendy Ply
Also called flexible plywood or flexi ply, bendy ply is a lightweight, non-structural board with an open-grained texture that lets it curve around a tight radius without cracking. It is popular for curved furniture, reception counters, feature displays and rounded cabinetry, but it is not designed to carry structural load. See our bendy ply options for available thicknesses.
Which Board Should You Choose?
If your board will ever be exposed to moisture, rule out MDF and hardboard immediately and look at marine ply, MagnaBoard or fibre cement instead. If you need a temporary, budget-friendly board for site work, shutterply is hard to beat.
And if the project calls for a curve, bendy ply is the only option on this list built for it. On any structural application, it is worth checking your board choice against NHBRC requirements before you build, particularly if the work will be inspected or enrolled.
For a wider comparison including OSB and commercial ply, our earlier guides on choosing the right board type and picking the perfect board go into more detail on those specific products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which board is best for a wet area?
Marine ply, MagnaBoard and fibre cement all handle moisture well. MDF and hardboard should stay indoors and away from damp.
What’s the cheapest board for temporary site work?
Shutterply is the most budget-friendly option for shuttering, sub-floors and temporary structures.
Can I use bendy ply for a load-bearing application?
No. Bendy ply is non-structural and is designed for curved, decorative applications rather than carrying weight.
What is the difference between Nutec and MagnaBoard?
Both resist moisture and fire well. Nutec is fibre cement based and commonly used for cladding and roofing, while MagnaBoard is a magnesium oxide board often chosen for fire-rated walls and ceilings.
Is marine ply worth the extra cost over shutterply?
If the board will be permanently exposed to moisture or needs a high-quality finish, yes. Shutterply is designed for temporary, budget-conscious jobs, not long-term outdoor exposure.
CONTACT US and our team will help you match the right board to your project, whether it’s structural, decorative or exterior.