Manufactured wood, also known as engineered wood, is a type of synthetic wood that includes a range of derivative wood products. It is made by binding or fixing the strands, particles, fibers, or veneers of wood together using heat, glue, and pressure. The resulting products are engineered to precise design specifications, which are tested to meet national or international standards and provide uniformity and predictability in their structural performance. Manufactured wood products are used in a variety of applications, from home construction to commercial buildings to industrial products.

Some common types of manufactured wood products include:

• Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): This is made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure.

• Plywood: This is made by gluing together thin layers of wood veneer, with the grain of each layer running perpendicular to the adjacent layer.

• Oriented strand board (OSB): This is made by compressing layers of wood strands (flakes) in specific orientations with resin and wax adhesives.

• Particle board: This is made by mixing sawdust or wood chips with resin and compressing them into boards.

Manufactured wood products are generally less expensive than solid wood products, but they may contain formaldehyde and toxic VOCs that off-gas during production and for several months after that. They also cannot be refinished as often as solid hardwood, and some types cannot be recycled. However, they are more resistant to moisture and can be made from waste wood that would otherwise end up in a landfill.