fiber board and homasote the same thing? - Model Railroader Magazine

fiatfan

No, that's not Homasote.  It sounds more like masonite.  Homasote is a greyish material that looks like it is made from compressed paper.  I don't know what it's really made from but that's kind of what it looks like.  Most modelers use a 1/2" thick piece for the layout.  Homasote is used to deaden sound between rooms in a structure. 

Its not Homasote and its not Masonite, its a brown fiber board used for sound and thermal insulation.  It is softer than homasote (pressed fibers vs pressed paper), doesn't hold track spikes as well and may generate more fibers or dust if not sealed.  Don't know how it reacts when wet or how strong it is.  It is way cheaper than Homasote.

I would probably use foam before I used the fiber board.