Masonite

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Not to be confused with Mansonite.

1944 Quebec license plate made of masonite. This was done due to metal conservation during World War II.

Masonite is a type of hardboard invented by William H. Mason.^[1] It is formed using the Mason method, using wooden chips and blasting them into long fibers with steam and then forming them into boards. The boards are then pressed and heated to form the finished boards. No glue or other material is added. The long fibers give Masonite a high bending strength, tensile strength, density and stability. Unlike other composite wood panels produced using formaldehyde-based resins to bind fibers, Masonite is made using natural ingredients only, which makes it an environmentally friendly "green" product.

Masonite was invented in 1924 in Laurel, Mississippi.^[2] Manufacturing started in 1929. In the 1930s and 1940s Masonite was used for many applications such as doors, roofing, walls, desktops, electric guitars, canoes, etc. Its popularity later faded, but it is still used, most notably by hobbyists.^{[citation needed]} Artists have often used it as a support for painting, and in artistic media such as linocut printing.^{[citation needed]} Masonite's smooth surface makes it a suitable material for table tennis tables and skateboard ramps. Masonite is also popular among theater companies as an inexpensive way to construct walls on-stage.^{[citation needed]}

Moving companies are large users of Masonite.^{[citation needed]} Among other things, they use it to protect the walls of buildings they are working in, and lay it on floors to enable smooth rolling of dollies loaded with goods.^{[citation needed]} A large move can require 30+ sheets of 1219.2mm x 2438.4mm sheets.^{[citation needed]}

Masonite is widely used in construction, particularly in high-end renovations where floors are finished prior to other work and require protection. Sheets of ⅛" or ¼" masonite are typically laid over rosin paper on finished floors to protect them. The masonite sheets are taped together with duct tape to prevent shifting and to keep substances from leaking through.

It is also considered one of the best materials in the making of a Wobble board.

It is also called Marsonite.^{[citation needed]} In Europe, this product is also known as Isorel.^{[citation needed]}