When you order a DIY Campers furniture kit, the first choice you make is the board. Every kit – from a single kitchen pod to a full conversion – is available in lightweight ply or Hex Board. Both are CNC cut to the same design and come with the same hardware, so the decision comes down to weight, finish, colour and budget.
Lightweight ply
Lightweight ply is a furniture-grade lightweight plywood, and it's the board most people choose for a campervan conversion. Its big advantage is weight: every kilo you save in the furniture is a kilo you can use for water, gear and passengers, which matters in smaller vans like the VW Transporter, Ford Transit Custom or Renault Trafic.
- Colours: five standard colours – White, Light Grey, Anthracite, Oak and Black.
- Custom colours: any other colour or RAL code for £250 per kit.
- Best for: builds where keeping weight down is a priority, or where you want a particular colour scheme.
Hex Board
Hex Board is a standard plywood with a hard-wearing Black finish. It's a little heavier than lightweight ply, but it's more affordable and its finish is built to stand up to everyday knocks – useful for units that will see a lot of use, such as kitchens, rear storage and bed bases.
- Colour: Black.
- Price: more affordable than lightweight ply.
- Best for: budget-conscious builds and hard-working furniture where a tough finish matters more than saving weight.
Side-by-side
- Weight: lightweight ply is lighter; Hex Board is a little heavier.
- Finish: lightweight ply in five colours (or custom); Hex Board in a hard-wearing Black finish.
- Price: Hex Board is the more affordable option.
- What's included: identical – every kit includes the CNC-cut panels plus every assembly accessory – cam fixings, hinges, screws, catches and drawer runners. Knock-on edge trim is an optional extra.
Which should you choose?
If you're converting a smaller van, carrying a lot of kit, or want a specific colour, go for lightweight ply. If you want to keep costs down and like the idea of a tough, dark finish, Hex Board is a great choice. You can see the price for each board on every product page before you add it to your basket.
Still not sure? Get in touch or call us on 01733 609930 and we'll help you decide. Or head to the Kit Finder to see every kit for your van.