Masonite is essential industrial strength pulp (dust) and glue mixed and pressed together.  It is really heavy, but has a nice, hard, durable surface.  It responds to humidity by growing and shrinking slightly, but that affects large scale uses more than it does model building uses.

I like to use ¼” masonite for the deck of my model.  It doesn’t warp when I paint it as easily as other materials.  The deck usually sticks out in theaters, making it most likely to get bumped into things when it’s being carried around, so I like my deck to be sturdy.  I often use foam core for the rest of the permanent theater structure, because it gets really heavy if you use it for too much of the big stuff. 

I also like to use 1/8” masonite for platforming and a variety of other small pieces.  It’s sturdier, is less likely to get knocked over when the director decides it would be a good idea to touch the model when pointing, and I can cut it on my band saw and not have to sand lots of fuzzies off the bottom edge.  Best of all, the pieces last so I can sometimes reuse them a few shows down the road.

Be careful not to inhale too much masonite dust when sawing, drilling, routering or otherwise mangling.  It makes nasty boogers, and probably isn't too healthy. 

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