Finger-jointed boards have similar uses to plywood, but use significantly less glue during production, making them more environmentally friendly. More and more people are choosing finger-jointed boards as an alternative to plywood. Common thicknesses for finger-jointed boards are 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, and 20mm, with a maximum thickness of 36mm.
Finger-jointed boards don't require plywood, significantly reducing the amount of glue used. The glue used for finger-jointed boards is typically latex glue, a polyvinyl acetate solution in water.
Finger-jointed boards are also categorized as knotty or knotless. Knotty boards have scars, while knotless boards do not.
A simple way to identify the quality of finger-jointed boards is to look at the growth rings in the core wood: Finger-jointed boards are often made from fir, which have more pronounced growth rings. Larger rings indicate an older tree and therefore higher-quality material. There's also a type of finger-jointed camphorwood available on the market. It's used for closet shelving and repels insects, eliminating the need for mothballs. However, it's more expensive and only available from a few vendors.
Finger-jointed boards come in either clear or concealed serrations. Concealed serrations are preferred, as clear serrations are more prone to unevenness after painting, while concealed serrations are more difficult to machine. Harder wood is preferred, as it warps less and produces a more aesthetically pleasing pattern.
