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Hardboard (HB)

Hardboard is used in a variety of applications including furniture components, wall paneling, exterior siding and trim, underlayment, interior trim and perforated boards. In addition to the familiar “brown board,” panels are available in many forms including sophisticated woodgrains and embossed surfaces.

Hardboard is a composite panel manufactured primarily from inter-felted ligno-cellulosic fibers consolidated under heat and pressure. Other materials may be added during the manufacturing process to improve certain properties, such as resistance to abrasion and moisture, and increased strength and durability.

Hardboard has a uniform thickness, density and appearance and has no grain. It resists marring, scuffing and abrasion, as well as changes in temperature and humidity. Hardboard can be cut, routed, shaped and drilled with standard woodworking tools. In addition, hardboard can be securely glued or fastened with screws, staples or nails. Hardboard panels can be laminated with paper overlays, plastic laminates and veneers.

Prefinished Paneling Siding Perforated Board

Exterior Trim Office and Residential Furniture Door Skins

Product Standards and Certification

The American National Standard for Basic Hardboard (ANSI A135.4) is the North American industry standard which classifies hardboard by thickness and physical properties. The classification consists of five classes: Tempered, Standard, Service-Tempered, Service and Industrialite.

The American National Standard for Prefinished Hardboard Paneling (ANSI A135.5) establishes the property requirements for dimensional tolerances and moisture content, along with resistance to abrasion, fading, heat, humidity, scrape, steam and stain. Requirements for washability, gloss, workmanship and flame spread are also specified.

The American National Standard for Hardboard Siding (ANSI A135.6) covers requirements and methods of testing for the exterior durability, dimensions, straightness, squareness, physical properties and surface characteristics. It also includes trade terms and methods of identifying hardboard siding. Third-party certification to the ANSI Standards is required for many applications of composite panels. Many building code jurisdictions require the physical properties of hardboard siding to be third-party certified. CPA’s accredited certification program is recognized and approved by building code officials to evaluate siding products for code compliance.