Carbon Fiber Face—Carbon-fiber-faced panels are stronger and more rigid than fiberglass-faced panels, so they resist deforming from bending, twisting, or buckling. They will, however, splinter from high-impact blows. These panels are lighter than fiberglass-faced panels. However, they conduct electricity, so don’t use them around electrical components.

Fiberglass Face—Fiberglass-faced panels are often used around electrical components because they are good electrical insulators. They resist cracks from bumps and hits better than carbon-fiber-faced panels, but are not as strong or lightweight.