HDHMR Board Price List in India (2026): Per Sq Ft, 8×4 Sheet, Laminated, Brand & City Factors

HDHMR Board Price List in India (2026): Per Sq Ft, 8×4 Sheet, Laminated, Brand & City Factors

If you’re planning furniture, modular kitchens, wardrobes, partitions, or interior doors in 2026, HDHMR boards remain one of the most in-demand materials in India’s plywood and MDF ecosystem. But HDHMR is a “premium engineered board” category, so pricing can confuse buyers—especially when dealers quote per sq ft, per sheet, with/without GST, and sometimes mix up HDHMR with moisture-resistant MDF or HDF.

This 2026 guide gives you clear, budgeting-ready pricing with multiple tables, plus the exact cost factors that cause variation across brands and cities.

Last updated: January 2026

Quick answer (for fast budgeting)

In 2026, HDHMR board prices in India typically fall into these working ranges:

• Plain HDHMR: ~₹60 to ₹130 per sq ft (most common thicknesses)

• Pre-laminated / prelam HDHMR: ~₹105 to ₹160 per sq ft (depends on laminate grade and brand)

• Premium moisture-heavy or special grades (select products): can go beyond ₹150 per sq ft

For a standard 8×4 sheet (32 sq ft):

• Plain HDHMR: ~₹1,900 to ₹4,200 per sheet (most common)

• Pre-laminated HDHMR: ~₹3,300 to ₹5,100+ per sheet

These are typical market ranges. Your exact number will depend on thickness, finish, brand, city, and quantity.

What exactly is HDHMR (and why it costs more than MDF)

HDHMR stands for High Density High Moisture Resistant board. It is a high-density engineered fiberboard designed to resist humidity better than standard MDF, with improved routing, a more compact core, and better screw holding.

Why HDHMR costs more than MDF:

• Higher density core (more material per sheet)

• Moisture-resistant resin system

• Better thickness consistency (reduces rejects and improves finishing)

• Often positioned as an alternative to BWR-grade plywood for interiors

HDHMR price range overview (2026)

Here’s a practical way to think about HDHMR pricing in 2026:

1) By thickness (plain boards)

• Thin boards (6–9mm): usually lower cost because they are used for back panels, partitions, drawer bottoms, wall cladding.

• Mid thickness (12mm): very common for furniture and cabinet components.

• Heavy thickness (16–18mm): the standard for kitchen carcasses, wardrobes, shutters, and load-bearing furniture panels.

• Extra thick (25mm+): used for tabletops, door cores, premium partitions, CNC panels, or decorative work.

2) By finish

• Plain/unlaminated: base cost

• Pre-laminated/prelam: higher cost but can reduce overall finishing cost

• Acrylic/UV/high gloss: highest cost among common retail finishes

3) By buying channel

• Dealer/retail

• Marketplace listing (often transparent but may exclude freight)

• Distributor/bulk (best rates but higher MOQ)

Price math you must know (avoid confusion)

• 8×4 sheet = 32 sq ft

• Sheet price = (per sq ft price) × 32
  Example: ₹93/sq ft → ₹2,976 per sheet (approx)

GST note: Many quotes are exclusive of GST. HDHMR boards often attract GST (commonly 18%). Confirm whether your supplier quote is “+GST” or “inclusive”.

HDHMR board prices by thickness (2026)

Table A — Plain HDHMR price per sq ft and per 8×4 sheet (India-wide working ranges)

How to use this table:
If a dealer quote is wildly outside these ranges, verify:

• whether it’s MDF/HDF being sold as HDHMR

• whether it’s inclusive of GST

• whether it includes freight/handling

• whether it’s prelam (laminated) and not plain

Real-world marketplace style price checks (helps validate quotes)

Different platforms show different price patterns because they may show:

• net price (ex-GST)

• discounted price (promo)

• bulk-only rates (high MOQ)

Here are useful benchmarking examples you can use to validate your local quote:

Table B — Example “listed” prices seen for 8×4 plain HDHMR (selected products)

Important: Thin-board pricing is the most inconsistent online because some listings include different grades or even different board families. Always confirm “HDHMR” vs “MR MDF”.

Laminated (prelam) HDHMR pricing in 2026 — this is where most buyers miscalculate

Many projects “feel expensive” because buyers compare:

• plain HDHMR + separate laminate + adhesive + labor
  vs

• factory prelam HDHMR (ready surface)

When you do the full math, prelam can be efficient for many jobs, especially modular wardrobes and furniture panels.

Table C — Pre-laminated (prelam) HDHMR price add-ons in 2026

Example: 18mm board cost comparison (plain vs prelam)

Assume a project requires 100 sq ft of 18mm board area.

Option 1 — Plain HDHMR

• Board: ₹105/sq ft × 100 = ₹10,500

• Laminate sheet + adhesive + labor (varies): often adds ₹40–₹90/sq ft depending on laminate brand + labor

• Total can easily reach: ₹14,500 to ₹19,500 (or more)

Option 2 — Factory prelam HDHMR

• Board: ₹125–₹155/sq ft × 100 = ₹12,500 to ₹15,500

• Less finishing labor, fewer quality issues

• Total often becomes more predictable

Rule of thumb (2026):
If you are paying significant labor for lamination, prelam can be cost-neutral or even cheaper in total cost, especially for large modular jobs.

Brand-wise pricing behavior in 2026 (how pricing typically sits)

This is not a “best brand list.” It’s a pricing positioning guide to understand why you might see a ₹10–₹25/sq ft difference between brands.

Table D — Brand positioning (typical market behavior)

Buyer tip: If you’re using HDHMR for kitchens, wardrobes, or high-use furniture, consistency matters more than saving ₹8–₹12/sq ft—because failure costs are far higher than the savings.

Regional price differences: why Delhi differs from Bangalore (2026 reality)

Transport, distributor density, and local competition decide the final quote.

Table E — Regional price multiplier (practical budgeting)

If you’re budgeting for a big project across cities, apply a multiplier rather than arguing over small per sq ft variance.

Detailed “Price by application” (2026 budgeting table)

This table helps builders price correctly based on what thickness is actually used in each application.

Table F — Recommended thickness and typical cost by application (plain HDHMR)

GST, billing, and “hidden” costs (most common budget leaks)

A lot of HDHMR purchases go over budget because buyers forget these:

1) GST difference

If your quote is exclusive, add GST to understand real spend.

Table G — GST quick calculator (example)

2) Freight / delivery

If your site is far, freight can effectively add:

• ₹2 to ₹8 per sq ft (depending on location and quantity)

3) Cutting wastage

Typical wastage:

• 5% to 15% depending on design complexity

Table H — Wastage impact on “effective price”

4) Edge banding / sealing

For moisture resistance, edges should be sealed.
This cost is often charged separately in modular jobs.

HDHMR vs MDF vs plywood vs WPC (cost + performance, 2026)

HDHMR selection is usually a trade-off between cost and reliability.

Table I — Cost-performance comparison (common interior use)

Simple rule (2026):

• If the area is truly wet (continuous water exposure): WPC or true waterproof plywood is safer.

• For most interior kitchens/wardrobes: HDHMR is often the best balance.

Buying checklist (prevents wrong material sold as HDHMR)

Because HDHMR is premium-priced, “mislabeling” is common in some markets. Use this checklist:

1. Confirm the board category: HDHMR vs MR MDF vs HDF

2. Confirm thickness tolerance (especially for shutters)

3. Confirm whether the quote is inclusive of GST

4. Confirm if it’s plain or prelam (and laminate grade)

5. Ask for batch/brand markings and invoice description

6. If the price is too low vs market, verify density/grade

How to negotiate better HDHMR pricing in 2026 (practical, not theoretical)

Table J — Typical discount ranges by purchase type

Tip: If you’re near a wholesale market or can pool orders, the savings can be meaningful without sacrificing quality.

Laminated HDHMR: how to choose the right variant

Prelam options are not all equal. Choose based on wear level:

• Wardrobe interiors: standard prelam is often enough

• Kitchen shutters: choose better scratch resistance and edge banding quality

• Commercial areas: consider higher grade finishes

If you’re comparing two prelam boards, don’t compare only price—compare:

• laminate thickness/quality

• surface scratch resistance

• uniformity and edge finishing compatibility

Frequently Asked Questions (2026)

1) What is the average HDHMR price per sq ft in India in 2026?

Most common market pricing sits around ₹90–₹120 per sq ft for widely used thicknesses like 16mm and 18mm (plain boards). Thin boards can be lower; premium finishes can be higher.

2) What is the 18mm HDHMR 8×4 sheet price in 2026?

Typical range is ₹2,880 to ₹4,160 per sheet for plain boards. Prelam 18mm often ranges ₹3,300 to ₹5,100+ depending on laminate grade and brand.

3) Is HDHMR waterproof?

HDHMR is high moisture resistant, not truly waterproof by default. It performs well in humid interiors and occasional splashes when edges are sealed, but continuous water exposure requires more specialized solutions.

4) Is pre-laminated HDHMR worth it?

Often yes—especially for modular wardrobes and furniture—because it can reduce separate lamination labor and quality issues. It also makes budgeting more predictable.

5) Why does the same thickness vary by ₹15–₹30 per sq ft between brands?

Typically due to differences in:

• density and resin formulation

• quality consistency

• warranty support and dealer ecosystem

• finish quality and thickness tolerance

6) Which thickness is best for modular kitchens?

Most kitchen carcasses and shutters use 16mm to 18mm. The choice depends on design span and load requirements.

7) How do I avoid buying MDF sold as HDHMR?

Always confirm the invoice description, check brand markings, confirm application suitability, and compare the quote with market ranges. If the quote is dramatically lower than average, verify the grade.

8) Do HDHMR boards need edge sealing?

Yes. Edge banding or sealing improves moisture resistance and prevents swelling at cut edges over time.

Final conclusion (2026)

In 2026, HDHMR boards remain one of the most practical materials for interior furniture in India—especially for kitchens, wardrobes, and modular applications—because they balance strength, moisture resistance, finish quality, and total project cost.

To budget correctly:

1. Use thickness tables to estimate base cost

2. Add finishing choice (plain vs prelam vs high gloss)

3. Apply city/logistics multiplier

4. Account for GST, wastage, and edge finishing

If you follow the tables and calculations above, you’ll be able to verify dealer quotes confidently and avoid overpaying or buying the wrong grade.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for general informational purposes based on industry practices and publicly available information. Product specifications, standards, prices, and availability may vary by manufacturer, region, and time. Readers should independently verify details with manufacturers, dealers, or qualified professionals before making purchase or construction decisions.