The boards are then pressed and heated to form the finished boards. No glue or other material is added. The long fibres give Masonite a high bending strength, tensile strength, density and stability.

 

Masonite was invented in 1924 in Laurel, Mississippi. Manufacturing started in 1929. In the 1930s and 1940s Masonite was used for many things like roofing, walls, desktops, electric guitars, canoes, etc. Later, the popularity faded, but it is still used, most notably by hobbyists. Artists have often used it as a support for painting, and in artistic media such as linocut printing. 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.

 

Moving companies are large users of Masonite. Their use applications are varied, ranging from protecting the walls of buildings they are moving in and out of and laid down on the floors and halls of office buildings to enable the smooth rolling of their dollies loaded with packed goods. A large move can entail many hundreds of 4 x 8 foot sheets.

 

Masonite is widely used in the construction industry, particularly in high-end custom renovations where floors are often finished ahead of other work and require protection. 1/8" or 1/4" masonite sheets are typically laid over rosin paper on top of finished floor surfaces in order to adequately protect floors. Seams of masonite sheets are taped with duct tape to keep them from shifting and to help keep substances from leaking through.