Engineered boards, specified end to end.
The complete engineered-panel catalogue beyond MDF: Particle Board, OSB, Hardboard, Softboard, Insulation and Specialty FR / MR / MgO boards, sourced direct from leading European and Asian mills for architects, consultants, joineries and contractors across the UAE, GCC and Africa.
Six panel families. One specification partner.
Behind every modern furniture line, every prefab building, every hotel ballroom and every fire-rated corridor is a board specification: wood-chip, oriented-strand, dense-fibre, wood-fibre, foam, mineral or engineered. The right answer depends on density, grade, thickness, emission class, fire rating and origin.
TIC Dubai's Panels & Boards division supplies that specification end to end, sourced direct from leading European and Asian manufacturers, with consultant-level technical support and GCC-wide logistics.
The complete engineered panel ecosystem.
Six dedicated panel families, each with its own technical authority page covering grade, application, standards and specification guidance.
Particle Board (Chipboard)
Engineered wood particle board / chipboard, the workhorse substrate of modern furniture and cabinetry. Uniform core, smooth sanded face, ready for melamine, veneer, foil or laminate.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
Engineered structural panel made from large oriented wood strands bonded with moisture-resistant resin. The global standard for wall sheathing, roof decking, subfloor systems and industrial packaging.
Softboard (Wood Fibre Insulation Board)
Low-density wood fibre board for thermal insulation, acoustic absorption, pinboard surfaces and furniture backing. Natural, sustainable and breathable and engineered for healthy interiors.
Hardboard (High Density Fibreboard)
High-density fibreboard panels for furniture, packaging, industrial and construction applications. Dense engineered wood-fibre panels manufactured under heat and pressure, offering strength, dimensional stability and versatility across multiple industries.
Insulation Boards (Thermal & Acoustic)
Rigid thermal and acoustic insulation board systems for commercial, hospitality, residential and industrial construction. PIR, PUR, EPS, XPS, mineral wool, glass wool and wood-fibre options.
Specialty Boards (Fire · MR · Acoustic · MgO)
Specialty engineered boards beyond standard wood-fibre: fire-rated FR boards, moisture-resistant MR boards, acoustic perforated panels, magnesium oxide (MgO) boards and bespoke engineered substrates.
Tubular Core Chipboard (Door Core)
Engineered lightweight core board with continuous hollow tubular cavities running through the panel. The default core substrate for flush doors, hotel doors, apartment doors, wardrobe shutters and interior joinery, high strength-to-weight, excellent screw-holding and superior sound performance compared to honeycomb cores.
A specification partner for engineered boards.
Full panel ecosystem
Particle Board, OSB, Softboard, Hardboard, Insulation and Specialty engineered boards: every major non-MDF panel family, supplied through one source with consultant-level technical support.
Direct mill sourcing
Direct relationships with leading European and Asian board manufacturers: particle board from Thailand, Malaysia and China; OSB from Europe; insulation and specialty boards from specialist manufacturers across the EU.
Specification-led
Every enquiry is matched to the correct grade, thickness, emission class, fire rating and origin; the grade is never substituted and never compromised. Architects, consultants and joineries specify, we supply.
GCC + Africa logistics
Full-container and LCL shipping across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and East Africa, with documentation, mill test reports and certification supplied with shipment.
Particle Board vs OSB vs Hardboard vs Softboard vs MDF.
A consultant-grade matrix across density, structure, application, mechanical performance and finish suitability.
| Panel | Density | Structure | Typical Use | Strength | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particle Board | 640–720 kg/m³ | Wood chips, 3-layer | Furniture · Cabinetry · Carcassing | Moderate | Melamine / foil / laminate |
| OSB | 600–680 kg/m³ | Oriented strands, multi-layer | Structural sheathing · Roof · Subfloor | High (load-rated) | Structural, typically clad |
| Softboard | 230–400 kg/m³ | Open wood fibre, low density | Acoustic · Thermal · Pinboard | Low, non-structural | Plain · perforated · fabric |
| Hardboard / HDF | 800–1,000 kg/m³ | Compressed fibre, high density | Backing · Door skin · Flooring core | High in thin section | Paint · print · laminate · pre-finished |
| MDF | 650–800 kg/m³ | Uniform fibre, medium density | Joinery · Shutters · Mouldings | Moderate · excellent machinability | Paint / lacquer / veneer / melamine |
| Insulation Board | Application-specific | Foam / mineral / fibre | Thermal · Acoustic · Building envelope | Compressive grades available | Foil · tissue · unfaced |
Specified across every modern interior and building system.
Particle Board (carcass), MDF (shutters & mouldings), Hardboard (backing), Softboard (drawer backing). The complete substrate stack for modern furniture manufacturing.
OSB/3 for wall sheathing and roof decking, OSB/4 for heavy-duty subfloors, MgO and FR boards for fire-compartment lining, insulation boards for the thermal envelope.
MR particle board for wet zones, FR MDF for public areas, perforated acoustic panels for ballrooms and corridors, mineral wool for partition acoustic separation between rooms.
FR-rated substrates for corridors and escape routes, MgO non-combustible board for compartmentation, acoustic boards for libraries and classrooms, low-emission E1 / CARB-P2 panels for indoor air quality.
OSB heavy-duty crating, hardboard packaging cases, particle board jigs and templates, specialty engineered boards for OEM use.
EN / ISO / ASTM specification framework.
The certification framework specified across the engineered panel industry, applied to every order TIC Dubai supplies.
Engineered panels and boards, defined.
Engineered panels and boards are wood-, fibre- or mineral-based sheet materials manufactured from broken-down raw material (chips, strands, fibres, mineral wool, foam) and bonded with thermosetting or mineral resins into homogeneous panels. The family includes Particle Board, OSB (Oriented Strand Board), Hardboard, Softboard, Insulation Boards (PIR / PUR / mineral wool / EPS / XPS) and Specialty Boards (MgO, FR, MR, cement-bonded). Each panel is engineered for a distinct combination of density, strength, fire, moisture and acoustic performance, and is specified by standards EN 312, EN 300, EN 622-2/4, EN 13501-1 and EN 13986.
- Particle Board
- EN 312 P1 – P7 grades · 600 – 750 kg/m³
- OSB
- EN 300 OSB/1 – OSB/4 · structural sheathing
- Hardboard
- EN 622-2 · ≥ 900 kg/m³ · 2.5 – 6 mm
- Softboard
- EN 622-4 · ≤ 400 kg/m³ · acoustic / insulation
- Insulation Boards
- EN 13165 (PIR/PUR) · EN 13162 (mineral wool)
- Specialty / MgO / FR / MR
- EN 13501-1 fire · cement / magnesium-oxide cores
Particle Board vs OSB
Two engineered chip / strand panels confused at specification stage. Particle Board is the furniture carcass; OSB is the structural sheathing.
| Property | Particle Board | OSB |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | EN 312 (P1 – P7) | EN 300 (OSB/1 – OSB/4) |
| Raw material | Wood chips | Oriented wood strands (~75 mm) |
| Density | 600 – 750 kg/m³ | 600 – 680 kg/m³ |
| Surface | Smooth, sandable | Visible strand pattern |
| Modulus of rupture | 12 – 18 N/mm² | 20 – 30 N/mm² |
| Primary use | Furniture, cabinet carcass | Structural roof / wall / floor sheathing |
| Span capability | Non-structural | Up to 600 mm joist spacing |
| Moisture grades | P3 / P5 (MR) | OSB/3, OSB/4 (humid / load-bearing humid) |
| Edge handling | Banded in joinery | Tongue-and-groove for floor / roof |
Hardboard vs MDF vs Softboard
All three are fibreboards, defined by density. Density determines mechanical performance, application and price tier.
| Property | Softboard | MDF | Hardboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | EN 622-4 | EN 622-5 | EN 622-2 |
| Density (kg/m³) | ≤ 400 | 700 – 800 | ≥ 900 |
| Thickness range | 10 – 25 mm | 3 – 25 mm | 2.5 – 6 mm |
| Surface texture | Soft, fibrous | Smooth, dense | Smooth one side, mesh reverse |
| Primary use | Acoustic / insulation / expansion joint | Furniture / mouldings / shutters | Door skins / backs / packaging |
| Compressive strength | Low | Medium | Very high |
| Thermal performance | Insulating (0.05 W/m·K) | Standard | Conductive (0.18 W/m·K) |
| Water resistance | Bitumen-impregnated grades | HMR grade for humidity | Tempered grades available |
Insulation board family
Thermal insulation boards specified for envelope, roof, wall and HVAC duct applications across the GCC.
| Type | Standard | Lambda (W/m·K) | Density (kg/m³) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIR (Polyisocyanurate) | EN 13165 | 0.022 – 0.024 | 32 – 40 | Roof / wall / facade, highest performance |
| PUR (Polyurethane) | EN 13165 | 0.024 – 0.028 | 30 – 40 | General insulation, sandwich panels |
| EPS (Expanded PS) | EN 13163 | 0.034 – 0.038 | 15 – 30 | Cost-effective wall insulation, formwork |
| XPS (Extruded PS) | EN 13164 | 0.032 – 0.036 | 25 – 45 | Inverted roof, perimeter, cold bridges |
| Mineral Wool | EN 13162 | 0.034 – 0.040 | 30 – 150 | Fire-rated, acoustic, A1 non-combustible |
| Phenolic Foam | EN 13166 | 0.018 – 0.022 | 35 – 45 | Highest thermal performance, fire-rated |
Panels & Boards procurement guide
A consultant-grade specification path for any engineered panel programme.
- 1. Identify the panel family
Furniture carcass → Particle Board (P2/P3/P5). Structural sheathing → OSB. Backs / packaging / door skins → Hardboard. Acoustic / insulation / expansion → Softboard. Envelope insulation → PIR / mineral wool. Fire-rated partition → MgO / cement-bonded board.
- 2. Specify performance grade
Particle Board: EN 312 P2 (dry interior), P3 (humid non-structural), P5 (load-bearing humid). OSB: OSB/3 (humid load-bearing), OSB/4 (structural humid). Hardboard: standard / tempered. Mineral / FR boards: Euroclass A1 / A2 / B.
- 3. Confirm fire and emission class
Hospitality, healthcare, education → Euroclass B-s1, d0 or A2. Indoor air quality projects → E1 minimum, E0 / CARB P2 for premium. Specify EN 13501-1 fire classification and EN 717-1 formaldehyde emission together.
- 4. Select thickness and size
Particle Board 6 – 38 mm, OSB 9 – 25 mm, Hardboard 2.5 – 6 mm, Softboard 10 – 25 mm, Insulation 25 – 200 mm. Panel sizes 1220 × 2440 standard, 1830 × 2440 / 2500 × 5000 mm for project work.
- 5. Choose mill origin
European mills (Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium, Poland) for premium FR / MR / structural OSB. Asian mills (Thailand, Malaysia, China, Vietnam) for cost-balanced furniture and packaging panels. Multi-origin consolidation supported.
- 6. Plan logistics and dunnage
Container consolidation supported across families (Particle + Hardboard + OSB). Pallets ≤ 1.5 t for handling, polyethylene wrap for humidity, corner protection, edge sealing for moisture-sensitive grades.
Panels & Boards inspection checklist
- Mill stamp & lot traceability
Confirm panel-face stamp matches MTC and packing list.
- Standard compliance
EN 312 grade for PB, EN 300 grade for OSB, EN 622-x for fibreboards, EN 13501-1 for fire-rated.
- Thickness tolerance
± 0.3 mm on PB / OSB / Hardboard per EN 324.
- Squareness / panel size
Diagonal ± 2.0 mm/m, length / width ± 3.0 mm.
- Moisture content
5 – 12 % at receipt for wood-based panels.
- Surface defects
No delamination, no edge swell, no foreign inclusions, no oil contamination.
- Fire classification (FR boards)
EN 13501-1 certificate matches Euroclass on panel stamp.
- Density / IB sample test
Random panel sample density and internal bond against EN 319 / EN 323.
- Emission certificate
EN 717-1 / CARB P2 report against the order specification.
- Packaging integrity
Pallet straps intact, corner caps present, polyethylene wrap unbroken.
Deeper questions, answered.
A complete authority FAQ bank built for architects, consultants, procurement teams and AI-search engines.
Engineered boards: answered.
Factory-Direct Supply Model.
TIC Dubai operates as a mill representation and international procurement partner. Every order is coordinated directly with a verified overseas manufacturer and shipped in container quantities against your project specification.
We do not maintain local warehouse stock. Products are supplied directly from carefully selected international manufacturing partners.
- Direct mill sourcing
- Container-load shipments
- Forward production bookings
- Project-based supply
- International procurement
- Mill-direct pricing
- Consistent, certified quality
- Long-term supply partnerships
Who we work with.
TIC Dubai partners with organisations that specify, import or build at project scale, across the UAE, GCC, Levant, Africa and wider Middle East.
How our supply model works best.
A quick view of where TIC Dubai adds the most value, and where a local stockist may serve you faster.
Container, project & repeat procurement.
- Container orders
- Factory bookings
- Project supply
- Repeat procurement
- Long-term contracts
- Bulk purchasing
Retail, spot & same-day pick-ups.
- Retail-quantity purchases
- Same-day requirements
- Spot warehouse pick-ups
If your requirement sits on the right, a local stockist is likely to serve you faster. We're happy to point you in the right direction.
Factory-direct sourcing, answered.
Do you keep stock in Dubai?
TIC Dubai is a mill representation and international procurement company. Rather than holding warehouse stock, we coordinate factory-direct shipments sized to your project and consolidate deliveries against your programme.
Can I buy a few sheets or a single length?
Our supply model is built around container-load and project quantities. For small retail requirements, a local stockist will serve you faster; for bulk, project or recurring procurement, we're the right partner.
Do you supply containers directly from the factory?
Yes. Every enquiry is quoted mill-direct, with forward production booking, third-party inspection and shipment coordinated by our procurement team, from FOB origin through to your discharge port.
Can you support recurring procurement?
Yes. Long-term supply agreements and forward production bookings are the core of what we do for importers, contractors, distributors and EPC firms across the GCC and wider Middle East.
What is your minimum order?
Typically one FCL container per specification, though this varies by product and mill. Share your requirement and we'll confirm the mill's MOQ, lead time and indicative pricing.
Discuss your Panels & Boards supply requirement.
Share the board family, grade, thickness, panel size, fire / emission rating and container quantity. We revert with mill-direct availability, factory booking and container pricing within one working day.
Boards & Panels across the GCC and Middle East
Engineered boards and panel systems for contractors across the GCC.
Shipments routed through Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamad, King Abdulaziz Dammam, Sohar and other major regional ports, coordinated with contractor and procurement schedules.
Particle board, OSB, hardboard, softboard, insulation board and specialty panel systems are coordinated for joinery, fit-out, formwork and prefab applications across the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Oman and wider Middle East markets.
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Al Ain
- Khor Fakkan
- Riyadh
- Jeddah
- Dammam
- Al Khobar
- Jubail
- Yanbu
- Mecca
- Medina
- Tabuk
- Abha
- JAFZA
- DIP
- Dubai Industrial City
- Sharjah Industrial Area
- KIZAD
- Hamriyah Free Zone
- RAKEZ
- SAIF Zone
- Doha
- Lusail
- Al Rayyan
- Mesaieed
- Al Wakrah
- Kuwait City
- Shuwaikh
- Shuaiba
- Ahmadi
- Manama
- Muharraq
- Riffa
- Sitra
- Muscat
- Sohar
- Salalah
- Duqm
- Nizwa
- Amman
- Zarqa
- Irbid
- Aqaba
- Baghdad
- Erbil
- Basra
- Mosul
- Najaf
- Karbala
- Sulaymaniyah
- Kirkuk
- Jebel Ali Port
- Khalifa Port
- Hamriyah Port
- Port Rashid
- Khor Fakkan Port
- King Abdulaziz Port Dammam
- Jeddah Islamic Port
- King Abdullah Port
- Jubail Commercial Port
- Yanbu Commercial Port
- Hamad Port
- Shuwaikh Port
- Shuaiba Port
- Khalifa Bin Salman Port
- Port of Sohar
- Port of Salalah
- Port of Duqm
- Port of Aqaba
- Umm Qasr Port
- Khor Al Zubair Port