As many of you already know, cardboard is one of my favorite building supplies. I prefer to build with supplies that would otherwise be thrown away, so cardboard fits the bill as well as being fairly easy to work with. Also, even if you don't have a stash of building materials at your house right now, it is pretty likely you have some cardboard.
Understanding types of cardboard and what you can do with them is particularly helpful in using them for building. We could get really technical, but I'm going to focus on types of cardboard you might already have around the house, and leave the technicalities up to the supply chain experts.
1. Single-wall cardboard
This is what people usually think of when you say "cardboard." If you think of it as a sandwich, it has two flat pieces as the "bread" with a wavy, or corrugated, piece in between. That's why you sometimes hear it called corrugated cardboard. I used this type in my technique videos. It is strong but can be cut with large scissors, can be scored (cut part way through) with kid scissors, and can be used in lots of different ways.
2. Double-walled cardboard
Double-walled cardboard looks very similar to single-walled cardboard, but it is stronger and much harder to cut. It is like a club sandwich, with three flat pieces that make the "bread" with 2 layers of wavy fillings. In the Makerspace, I avoid using double-walled cardboard, and if I must use it, I cut it myself with my zip snips or utility knife (NOT something kids should use).
3. Chipboard
Though this photo shows brand new chipboard, chipboard is also the cardboard that is used for cereal and cracker boxes. Though not as strong as single-walled cardboard, it is easier to cut and sometimes easier to find. The building techniques I show in the videos can also be used with chipboard, but might have to be slightly altered depending on the technique. One great aspect of using recycled chipboard is that it is usually printed on one side and you can cut around colors or shapes to incorporate into your design.
Check around your house! What kinds of cardboard can you find? What do you imagine you can do with them?