Which Board Thickness Should You Use? 6mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm Explained

Which Board Thickness Should You Use? 6mm, 12mm, 16mm, 18mm Explained

Choosing the right board thickness is one of the most critical decisions in interior projects. Whether you're working on a modular kitchen, wardrobe, TV unit, or office storage, the wrong board thickness can lead to warping, breakage, or poor finish.

At Khidki Homes, we offer plywood, MDF, and PVC boards in multiple thickness options to suit different applications — all available with 4-hour delivery across Bangalore. Here’s a detailed breakdown of when to use 6mm, 12mm, 16mm, and 18mm boards, based on your project type.


6mm Boards – For Back Panels and Lightweight Surfaces

  • Used primarily for wardrobe backs, TV unit backs, and wall-mounted storage

  • Lightweight and easy to cut, making them ideal for covering concealed areas

  • Best in MDF or plywood depending on moisture exposure


Recommended Boards:

Avoid: Using 6mm for load-bearing shelves or horizontal applications


12mm Boards – For Drawer Bases, Wall Panels, CNC, and Partitions

  • Ideal for small partitions, drawer bases, or vertical panels that don't bear heavy loads

  • Commonly used in office partitions, CNC designs, and storage dividers

  • Suitable for both MDF (for machining) and plywood (for strength)


Recommended Use Cases:

  • Decorative fluted panels in MDF

  • Drawer box sides and internal carcass work

  • Bathroom vanity structure in PVC or MR plywood

Explore:

16mm Boards – The Modular Industry Standard

  • Most commonly used thickness in factory-made modular furniture

  • Strong enough for wardrobe shutters, shelves, and drawers while keeping weight manageable

  • Preferred in prelam MDF, laminated plywood, and PVC for wet areas


Ideal For:

  • Modular wardrobes and kitchen carcasses

  • Horizontal shelves that need medium load-bearing

  • Office furniture and study units

Suggested Products:

Tip: Use 16mm with Kanvas Liner Laminates for internal surfaces and Saket 1mm Laminates for external finishing


18mm Boards – For Heavy-Duty Applications

  • Best suited for kitchen shutters, heavy wardrobe doors, TV unit frames, and large horizontal shelves

  • High screw-holding capacity and reduced flexing across large spans

  • Strong, durable, and ideal for long-term use


Top Use Cases:

  • BWP-grade kitchen shutters

  • Bookshelves and TV wall panels

  • Bed boxes, seating frames, and loft panels

Best Options:

Quick Summary: What Thickness for What Purpose?

Application Area

Ideal Thickness

Material Suggestions

Wardrobe back panels

6mm

MR Plywood, MDF

Drawer bottoms/sides

12mm

MDF, PVC

Wardrobe shutters

16mm

BWP Plywood, Prelam MDF

Kitchen carcasses

16mm–18mm

BWP Plywood, PVC

Loft doors or TV panels

18mm

BWP Plywood, MDF

CNC partitions

12mm–16mm

MDF (Kasawud)


Final Takeaway

Using the right board thickness not only improves durability but also optimizes cost, aesthetics, and installation time. At Khidki Homes, we stock all standard thicknesses across plywood, MDF, and PVC boards, ready for fast delivery in Bangalore.

Call us on 8130281457 or WhatsApp us at 8970581881 to get expert advice and order materials based on your exact project needs.

 

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