MDF: what is it? Features and areas of application of the material

Furniture items, floor and wall coverings, as well as many other finishing materials are made from MDF boards. However, not everyone understands what this abbreviation means. In the article, we will consider all the available information about MDF panels: what it is, what it is used for, what advantages this material has, thanks to which it is so actively used today.

MDF boards: what is it, where and how they can be used

The abbreviation MDF stands for finely dispersed fraction. Such boards are made of wood fibers, the density of which corresponds to the average, by pressing them under high pressure.

The fields of application of the obtained plates are diverse. For many manufactured factory products, MDF acts as the basis. Let's consider several main directions of using this material in everyday life:

• MDF sheet panels are used for finishing floors and ceilings;
• wall cladding with MDF panels is also quite common;
• production of furniture, the facades of which can have both a smooth surface and be decorated with carved elements;
• due to its properties, MDF is widely used as a sound-insulating material, allowing to significantly reduce audibility between rooms;
• a more unusual but very popular application for this material is the transformation of steel doors. MDF is used as a decorative overlay on an existing surface, thus improving its appearance. At the same time, you can buy MDF overlays for entrance doors in a variety of variations and colors.

Interesting to know! Another area of ​​use of MDF is the manufacture of boxes intended both for packing gifts and simply for transporting various products.

This material has received such widespread use due to the fact that in the process of its production only materials that are completely safe for human health are used, in particular, carbide resins. In addition, such boards have excellent technical characteristics: heat and moisture resistance, and are also not susceptible to the formation of various kinds of fungi and mold on the surface and inside the chips. All this makes MDF boards a worthy competitor to natural wood.

Particleboard or MDF: which is better to choose and why

Recently, MDF has strongly pressed Chipboard On the market. Why did this happen and is there a difference between these, so similar, materials? We will try to figure out whether such an arrangement of positions is justified, and what caused it.

First of all, it is worth remembering that Chipboard - This is a chipboard, which, like MDF, is made of wood chips by pressing and adding a special binder. True, the second option has several significant differences and advantages, which became a decisive factor in the popularity of its use in some areas.

Ability Chipboard it is much worse to hold the parts screwed into it. If we talk about the manufacture of furniture, then this is fraught with the falling off of the attached parts. Kitchen cabinet doors, doorknobs, and more can simply fall off. Moreover, it is not possible to re-fix the missing part, since the holes are susceptible to rapid loosening. MDF furniture boards have a much higher density, which allows them to securely hold the elements fixed in them.

Environmental friendliness is an essential factor when choosing a material. Asking the question which is better - chipboard or MDF for the kitchen, you need to consider that the first option is absolutely not environmentally friendly. Moreover, it is unsafe for health, since the resins used in the manufacturing process are capable of releasing formaldehyde, a specific substance that has a negative effect, primarily on the respiratory tract, as well as on the mucous membranes and human skin. At one time, formaldehyde was included in the list of carcinogenic substances that can contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer. It should be noted that due to the high environmental friendliness, children's furniture from MDF is highly valued.

Having dealt with the decoding of what MDF is in furniture and other products, as well as the advantages that distinguish it favorably from chipboard, it may seem that this material is ideal. And this is practically the case, if you do not take into account its high cost, which often becomes the main obstacle on the way to its acquisition.

In most cases, panels are sold without final coverage, and this also requires additional costs. You can, of course, buy MDF sheets already coated, or you can do this on your own. In any case, for those who care about the health of their loved ones, this is not a high price.

Which is better: chipboard or MDF, and what is the difference between these materials

Speaking of chipboard, one way or another it is implied that everyone has heard of such material at least once. However, the abbreviation Chipboard often confuses ordinary users. In fact, this is the same particle board, only with an additional laminated coating. At one time, this technology made it possible to improve the initial characteristics of chipboard and expand the scope of this material.

So, Chipboard much less susceptible to mechanical damage, thanks to the additional protective layer. In addition, it will be much cheaper to buy a ready-made board of almost any color. However, with regard to moisture resistance, in this matter, chipboard is inferior to MDF and makes it impossible to use it in bathrooms. For the same reason, there is no question of what is best for the kitchen: MDF or chipboard.

The problem of the environmental friendliness of chipboard remains relevant. Despite all attempts to reduce the amount of formaldehyde contained, there is still some possibility of meeting a fake. That is why it is worth paying special attention to studying the certificates that are attached to each batch of the product.Thus, we again come to the conclusion that in the question of what is better (MDF or laminated chipboard) for furniture and home decoration, the answer is unequivocal in favor of the first option, especially since you can always buy laminated MDF boards.

How to choose and buy MDF panels for walls, floors, ceilings or furniture

Depending on how you plan to use the purchased MDF panel, it is necessary to take into account its various characteristics and in specific cases focus on the most important indicators.

So, painted MDF panels are best suited for the manufacture of kitchen furniture. They are highly resistant to moisture and therefore do not deteriorate as a result of constant contact with water.

However, this will not be enough for finishing the bathroom. In this case, it is better to give preference to a material with increased moisture resistance, for which double-sided lamination is used. This will protect the panel not only from the outside, but also from the inside.

If you are planning any finishing work on the facade of the furniture, then veneer material is suitable for this purpose. But if we are talking about the need to finish a large area, then it is quite possible to use an ordinary tiled one.

As for manufacturers, you can get the desired quality if the European country of origin is listed on the packaging. Sweden, Germany, Poland - all these countries have their offices in many cities of Russia. But Chinese products, although they will be cheaper, are unlikely to please with the proper strength and moisture resistance.

Useful advice! If you want to find one or another original product on the Internet, try to avoid intermediaries who resell products purchased directly from the manufacturer. To do this, it is enough to correctly formulate an Internet request, for example, as “the official website of MDF furniture Kaliningrad”.

But whichever manufacturer you prefer, be sure to conduct an external inspection of the product before purchasing it. The same rules will apply if you need to purchase an MDF frame profile. The inspection procedure is carried out according to the following points:

• make sure the surface is smooth and free of chips;
• check the panel by touch: the surface must be smooth, grooves or bumps are unacceptable, as they can reduce the strength of the panel;
• MDF board should not have any smell;
• all panels must have the same color;
• also pay attention to the indicator that characterizes the degree of swelling of the material as a result of contact with moisture. The normal value is considered to be an indicator of 17%.

Also, before you buy MDF wall panels, pay attention to the fact that they can have different thicknesses. Thin ones greatly simplify work, as they are lighter and do not take up much space during storage. However, they are quite fragile so that they can break from careless handling during operation. Thick ones are much stronger and more reliable, but it is not recommended to use them to decorate too small rooms, because they will take up valuable space.

How to fix MDF panels to the wall and ceiling with your own hands

Even if you have not worked with such material before, it is quite possible to figure out how to fix MDF panels to a wall or ceiling on your own. And first of all, you need to prepare tools and materials. This list includes a simple pencil, a corner for marking a right angle, a building level, a hacksaw for metal, a hammer drill, a screwdriver or hammer, dowels and screws.

Work begins with cleaning the surface to be mounted on. It must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt.In addition, it is necessary to conduct a thorough inspection for the presence of fungi and mold.

If you need to make a ceiling from MDF panels with your own hands, then you will need both guide profiles and suspensions, plus wooden bars that will act as the transverse parts of the frame. If we are talking about fixing MDF panels to the wall, then simple blocks of wood or special plastic lathing will be enough.

Useful advice! To make the fastening process easier, it is recommended to use clamps. This will allow you to fix parts of the covering on the crate and, in general, will greatly facilitate the task.

The most important thing is to correctly mark up for the crate, which in the future will allow you to accurately fix all the elements. How to do it correctly, you can see in the photo of ceilings made of MDF panels. At this stage, it is important to take into account that the distance between the fixed panels and the real ceiling must be sufficient to accommodate lamps, as well as other communications.

Installation of MDF wall panels also begins with marking the place where the first batten will be attached (it does not matter whether it is vertical or horizontal). Maintaining the required distance, all elements of the lathing are attached, and after that, the installation of MDF wall panels begins. They are fixed quite simply with clamps or self-tapping screws.

Useful advice! Quality and certified products can be found on the Soyuz official website. MDF wall panels of their manufacture are highly valued due to their compliance with all requirements and standards.

This is not to say that installing MDF panels on the wall with your own hands is a complex process. Rather, it is monotonous and requires high accuracy of calculations and constant attention.

Related article:

Plywood sheet thickness and dimensions: prices, varieties and applications

Plywood: production features, main types of this material, advantages and disadvantages. Building materials market survey.

MDF worktop and apron for the kitchen: buy or not

The MDF plate is very popular for arranging the kitchen. Its technical characteristics significantly surpass any other materials in this group, and therefore allow it to contact with water almost fearlessly. Among the most common options, you can find MDF kitchen countertops, as well as kitchen aprons.

It is also worth buying an apron for a kitchen made of MDF because the variety of design solutions is not inferior to any other material, but the degree of environmental friendliness and resistance to various external factors is pleasantly pleasing. There are a variety of color options, including those that imitate surfaces, for example, MDF panels for a stone.

In addition, if you buy an MDF profile for frame facades, you can decorate the furniture as you wish. An MDF profile for frame facades is inexpensive, but the possibilities that it opens up are extremely great.

How to paint MDF panels for the kitchen yourself

As mentioned, they are great for kitchen furniture and are often used as an alternative to plastic. And of course, you can buy a kitchen from MDF with photo printing, if finances do not limit you. However, you can use what you already have by painting the MDF in the color you want. Consider the algorithm of actions in this case:

• the surface must be thoroughly cleaned: washed and sanded;
• after that it is necessary to wipe it with a solvent;
• apply two coats of primer with a drying break;

Useful advice! Today, building supermarkets offer a huge variety of primers, but it is better to choose the one that matches the color.

• apply a layer of paint to the surface using a brush or spray can. You can also use a spray gun: it will cost more, but the result will be much better;
• after the paint dries, a layer of varnish can be applied, which will give the product a shine and will also perform a protective function.

Useful advice! It is better to apply several layers of paint in stages. This will make the color more saturated and even.

As for the materials used, here experts give the following advice:

• It is best to choose a water-based polyurethane primer. This way you can hide the slab structure as much as possible. In addition, it is preferable if it is in a can;
• for painting, you can use acrylic paint or a special polyurethane enamel designed for MDF. One of the main advantages of the second option is the absence of smell;

• polyurethane varnish is also used for the topcoat. You can choose glossy or matte depending on your preference.

By following these simple rules for choosing, as well as applying coatings on MDF, you can get a surface that will be no different from an expensive commercial panel. And you just have to figure out how to fix the MDF panels.

Of course, the debate about which is better, plastic or MDF, which kitchen or furniture will last longer in certain conditions, will never stop. Arguments can be made in favor of one or another option, but we can say with confidence that MDF takes its place quite deservedly. Its technical characteristics, combined with an aesthetic appearance, can become an excellent basis for performing various works, including for the manufacture of furniture and interior decoration.