MDF is the initial letters English expression Medium Density Fiberboard. The technology currently used in MDF production, is a refinement and improvement of the technology that was used for the production of fiberboard - fiberboard, made from the smallest fractions sawdust. In the production of MDF, wood fibers are dried, bonded and formed into a board, which is processed high pressure and high temperature. Paraffin and lignin are used as fastening elements. Lignin is a natural substance found in every tree. Lignin is obtained from wood by treating it at high temperatures. No harmful resins or phenol are used in the production of MDF. Based on the above, we can safely say that MDF is environmentally friendly pure material. Among the main advantages of MDF are:
- a sufficient level of softness, thanks to which MDF lends itself very easily to the finest processing, which makes it a favorite material for furniture makers and designers, as it allows you to realize the most bold decisions. Despite the fact that MDF is used in many industries, MDF is mainly a furniture material.
- despite the fact that MDF has adopted all the advantages of wood, it costs several times less.
- the service life of products made from MDF is many times longer than the service life of products made from solid wood.
As a disadvantage MDF furniture One might say that the production of this material in our country is not well organized.
As already mentioned, MDF is used in many areas, but in furniture industry it is used especially actively and there are many reasons for this. In the production of furniture, mainly solid wood, fiberboard (fibreboard) and chipboard (chipboard) are used. All these materials are practically unsuitable for painting.
Wood is an excellent natural material, it can easily be processed through the finest treatments, but it does not tolerate moisture, it dries out and cracks. Under varnish, cracks in the wood are not noticeable, but under paint, especially light paint, they will immediately catch your eye.
Chipboards (chipboards) are a fairly strong material, excellent for painting, but cannot withstand moisture and cannot be milled. Fibreboards (Fibreboard) are very thin material, are processed with great difficulty, do not tolerate moisture, and cannot be painted evenly.
Furniture MDF lends itself perfectly to the finest processing, milling and sanding. Furniture MDF can be perfectly painted. Finished products made from MDF furniture do not warp, crack or dry out. MDF, having everything positive qualities wood, is completely devoid of the disadvantages that are inherent in wood: low density, heterogeneity, the presence of knots, and a tendency to rot. In the production of MDF boards, adhesives containing formaldehyde are not used, therefore furniture made from MDF has received permission for use in children's institutions, hospitals and in those premises that require a high degree of protection from exposure external environment. Furniture MDF is a universal material, therefore it is widely used for the manufacture of furniture for offices and for the home; doors, countertops, window sills, floors, baseboards are made from it suspended ceilings, packaging, containers, toys for children, school supplies and much, much more.
Separately, it should be said about the advantages of MDF furniture, which make it an indispensable material for the manufacture of furniture for the kitchen and bathroom. In addition to the fact that MDF is not afraid of moisture and steam, does not crack or change shape, mold and mildew do not form on it, the structure of MDF boards allows you to cut beautiful rounded corners.
Furniture MDF is often covered with a polyvinyl chloride film, the resulting material is called laminated MDF. PVC film will allow MDF boards to reproduce any color and shade, right down to the wood structure. Laminated MDF is slightly more expensive. It is worth noting that furniture facades, made from pine or beech oak are sixty percent more expensive than facades made from laminated MDF. And this despite the fact that constant exposure of wood to moisture renders it unusable, and laminated MDF is not susceptible to its effects, so it will last for quite a long time.
Without exaggeration, MDF boards can be called the most promising material of the twenty-first century. Its positive qualities lie not only in high environmental performance, but also affordable price and versatility, but also in the raw materials from which it is produced. MDF can be made from low grade wood.
Nevertheless, the name “MDF panels” is beautiful and they are unlikely to change it, just if you buy panels in a store, then remember that the lighter the panels, the lower their density, but at the same time the price of such panels is also lower. It is logical, despite the fact that waste from woodworking and furniture production, these same wastes also have a certain price. And the less waste was used in the production of panels, the lower the cost of the panels will be. But the lower the density, the lower the strength, and you need to remember this.
As a rule, MDF panels by default mean wall panels used for interior decoration walls and ceilings. Meanwhile, MDF panels are increasingly used in the manufacture of furniture and exterior door trim, but such panels are simply called MDF or MDF boards so as not to get confused. Further we will talk only about wall panels.
Advantages of MDF panels:
High Availability
Now MDF panels are sold in almost all small and medium-sized cities, not to mention large ones, where the number of shops and supermarkets selling panels is measured in tens and hundreds.
Relatively low price
The price of panels, depending on the quality, density, profile and country of origin, varies between 7-15 $/m2. This is not the cheapest finishing material, but taking into account the fact that the panels simultaneously level the surfaces and do not require additional finishing in contrast to dry, and even more so wet plaster, this price is quite acceptable.
Installation speed
If you have the appropriate tools, installation of MDF panels will not take much time. But it can really take a lot of time to set up a frame for sewing. However, the structure of the frame is general theme for most sheet and lath finishing materials.
Ease of installation
MDF panels are quite light and strong enough; one person can cover walls and even ceilings with panels.
Normal appearance
MDF panels usually imitate wood grain with high degree reliability. The only thing this imitation lacks is relief and variety. The fact is that the pattern on the panels is too regular and can be almost the same on all purchased panels. Therefore, when finishing large areas You should avoid using panels with a clearly defined pattern, so that it does not turn out like in the photo below:
However, if you consciously strive to achieve a similar effect and are a fan optical illusions in general and autostereography in particular, then for such purposes panels with a repeating pattern are just the thing.
Additional heat and sound insulation
Even if the space between the main wall or ceiling and MDF panels will not be filled with relevant heat and sound insulating materials, then the sound and heat insulation will still improve by 10-30% depending on the quality of the work, the average thickness of the air layer, the presence and number of cracks in the walls or ceiling, and also depending on the frame material. To increase sound and thermal insulation, it is better to do wooden frame. Additional thermal insulation in private houses will not be a hindrance, and when installing ceilings from MDF panels in multi-storey buildings additional sound insulation will also come in handy.
Disadvantages of MDF panels:
Limited design options
Typically, the design of walls or ceilings made of MDF panels comes down to the choice of texture and color of the panels. However, there is always the opportunity to play with colors:
And besides, MDF panels can be sheathed not only smooth walls or partitions, but also make quite complex designs and even do some imitation of arched ceilings. So the above limitation is not even a disadvantage, but in a sense an advantage of MDF panels, if you know how to use it correctly.
Reducing the usable volume of the room
As a rule, MDF panels are mounted on a frame that is not at all ethereal, but takes away several thousand required cubic centimeters from the volume of the room. For example, when finishing a room measuring 5x4 m with a height of 2.5 m, even if the width of the timber used is 2 cm, the volume of the room will still decrease by more than 1 m 3, because the panels also have a thickness of about 1 cm, which means overall decrease volume will be approximately:
(4 + 5) 2 2.5 (0.02 + 0.01) = 1.35 m 3
However, this general disadvantage when using finishing materials sewn onto the frame. For large apartments this is not of fundamental importance, but in small apartments Every square and cubic centimeter counts.
Low fire resistance
MDF panels are flammable material and this must be taken into account. And when installing sockets and switches on walls trimmed with MDF panels, it is advisable to use metal socket boxes.
Low water resistance
In case of direct contact with water and even when condensation settles, which can happen if the walls on an insulated loggia or balcony are covered with panels, MDF panels swell and lose their attractive appearance. appearance. This is especially critical for external and internal corners.
Low strength laminate
The MDF panels themselves are not much different from the fiberboard that has long been known to local consumers. The main highlight is the laminating layer on which the corresponding pattern is applied. However, the lamination layer is too strong a name for a thin layer of paper. It is not difficult to damage the laminating layer, but to restore it is difficult. difficult task, because wall decoration with MDF panels sometimes has to be changed every 3-5 years, like wallpaper. Nevertheless, for offices and various kinds of official institutions, wall decoration with MDF panels is one of the best options.
For half a century, panels such as MDF have been very popular. MDF panels are produced by pressing wood dust or shavings. Mostly this type panels are used exclusively for decorative finishing walls or ceilings. Thanks to this finishing material, everyone will be able to decorate their living space quite efficiently and inexpensively. But in each case, the first step is to familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages of MDF panels and only then make a precise choice finishing material.
Advantages of MDF panels
MDF panels are exclusively natural and environmentally friendly natural material. If you compare it, for example, with chipboard panels, then MDF is characterized by a higher degree of environmental friendliness. And that’s all, because during the production of chipboard panels, various epoxy resins or phenol. Therefore, this type of finishing material is made entirely from natural materials and substances that are not capable of releasing harmful substances and detrimentally affecting human health.
Thanks to such a beautiful appearance, MDF panels began to be used not only for finishing walls or ceilings. They are also often used to disguise various telephone, television or electrical cables.
A significant advantage of this type of finishing material is that MDF panels have a high degree of heat and sound insulation. Thanks to this, if you finish the walls with these panels, you will not need to additionally insulate or insulate the room. And this in turn helps to save money.
Other distinguishing feature panels means that they are quite easy to install and maintain. Almost every person can decorate walls on his own if he knows how to handle some working tools. And caring for MDF panels is even easier; you just need to wipe the surface of the walls or ceiling from time to time with a damp cloth and use any special product.
MDF panels are produced in a fairly diverse range color scheme, which allows each person to choose something suitable for themselves and create custom design indoors.
Disadvantages of MDF panels
If we compare the disadvantages and advantages, then this type of panel has very few of them. The biggest drawback that many people have noted is the heavy weight. But the weight is not so heavy that two people can handle it. installation work. In addition, during finishing you will also have to use special respiratory masks, since during installation large number dust that settles on the lungs.
To secure the panel with nails or screws, you will first have to drill the required hole for this and only then fasten it.
From the title particle boards It’s already clear what they are made of. Sawdust and shavings are combined using hot pressing. Raw materials for production are taken from wood processing waste (most often it is deciduous and conifers). All natural components are held together using synthetic resins and formaldehyde. The latter is dangerous to human health. Low-quality slabs can contain forty times more harmful substances than environmental regulations allow.
The difference between a good stove and a bad one is the smell. If you feel sharp bad smell, then this is a low quality product.
Now such boards have begun to be laminated, sealing harmful resins inside the product and preventing them from evaporating. The surface of the chipboard is covered with a melamine film, which, with its texture and color, is very reminiscent of natural wood, well, or has a similar color.
The abbreviation MDF came to us from English language and means that this is a board made of medium-density wood fiber. It has a more even texture, since the particles used in production are so small that they look like dust.
These particles are held together by urea resins, the formaldehyde content of which is permissible norm in accordance with European class E1.
Comparing basic characteristics
Strength
For chipboard, this figure varies in the range from three hundred to six hundred kg/m3. It depends on the group of slabs and their quality. For MDF, the spread is not so wide: from 720 to 870 kg/m3. This means that the second type of board is more durable and dense, so that in conditions of high moisture, MDF performs well and sometimes even outperforms some types of wood.
Surface Appearance
Chipboards have a textured surface, so applying any coating will first require careful sanding, otherwise the appearance will not be very aesthetic.
MDF, immediately after production, has a perfectly smooth surface and has no defects.
Decoration
Chipboard is a very stubborn board. Even a simple design leads to chips. It is not surprising that most often these boards are used to make elements or frames hidden inside furniture.
Due to its flexibility, MDF is often used to create interesting designer facades. No chips, graceful curves and skillful patterns: MDF boards are an esthete’s dream.
Pros and cons
If you read the article carefully, you should have come to the conclusion that MDF has clearly taken the lead. But each type of slab has something to boast about.
Chipboard classification
Sometimes you may see symbols on slabs that do not seem obvious at first glance. Let's look at them.
By placing the stove in water for 24 hours, manufacturers determine which of three classes it belongs to:
- Moisture resistant (thickness increases by only 15%)
- Class A (by 22%)
- Class B (by 33%)
For home furniture, especially for bathrooms, moisture-resistant boards are used, which perform well during use. To increase resistance to resins, paraffin is added.
Obviously, class B is the cheapest, has a rough surface and is prone to chipping.
There is a division of slabs by grade: first, second and no grade. Even a first-grade slab may have flaws, but the lower the grade, the more there are.
In addition to the above, chipboards are distinguished by the degree of polishing, by what process was used to obtain the final product: extrusion or lamination, as well as the size of the chips used.
MDF classification
These slabs also differ in what technology was used. Fully pressed are slabs, so to speak, without any frills, just as they are. Laminated ones are distinguished by a variety of colors, because they are covered with a polymer film. Moisture-resistant boards are made at higher temperatures and from high quality wood.
Based on appearance, MDF is divided into:
- Covered with a thin layer of veneer.
- With a glossy polymer surface.
- Covered with paint.
- Available. You will find boards in any store, and the assortment will be very wide, since the number of factories, both domestic and foreign, producing chipboards is huge.
- Price. These plates will be affordable for everyone. Even with all its shortcomings, chipboards remain the first in sales in the furniture market.
- Moisture resistance. This criterion applies to laminated boards.
- Difficulty with repeated use. If you move often or for some other reason need to disassemble the cabinet, be prepared for the screws to be loose in the holes the second time. Use glue or sealant to secure them. Chips may also appear.
- High resistance to moisture and high temperatures. Even in the event of a flood, such slabs can retain their original shape for several hours.
- Convenient for repeated use. No chipping or problems with screws re-screwed into the holes.
- High density and strength. The thickness of the slab varies from 4 to 22 mm.
- High price. It is at least one and a half times higher than that of chipboard. And if you choose a slab with decor or a special coating, then even higher.
- Softness. An impact may leave a dent.
- Highly flammable.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that each of the plates is good in its own way. The buyer needs to be guided by his own taste, calculate the capabilities of his wallet and choose what will best fit into the design of the room. Perhaps it is worth taking a closer look at a compromise option, when the furniture frames are made of chipboard, and the beautiful original facades are made of MDF. The cost will be average and there will be room for a flight of fancy.
Anzhelika Bondar
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Which is better: MDF or chipboard for the kitchen? In order to understand this issue, both materials should be compared.
Laminated chipboard is made by pressing wood chips and synthetic glue under high pressure. These boards are covered with a laminate on both sides to prevent delamination. laminated chipboard is good material for furniture production.
A wide selection of colors and patterns, easy processing and reasonable price make this material quite popular. Facade lamination can be matte, semi-matte or glossy.
MDF is a board made from crushed wood dust and organic compounds. MDF is base material, which is used in the production of furniture and interior elements (plinths, decorative wall panels, moldings). MDF is also the basis for production interior doors. The surface of the slab is covered with a special film or pasted over with artificial or natural veneer.
Types of kitchen finishing made from MDF
MDF panels can have various finishes, and this affects the strength, quality and appearance of the slab. As a rule, there are three main finishing methods:
- Lamination with special film. The surface is covered with PVC film. This protects the board from moisture. Thanks to this, MDF is a pretty good material for kitchen furniture.
- Veneer cladding. A thin layer of natural wood (that is, veneer) is glued onto the surface. Furniture with such finishing is decorative and looks natural. Unfortunately, veneer is quite soft and not very resistant to damage, so it requires careful care.
- Varnish coating. A layer of varnish is applied to the facade, which forms a moisture-resistant protective coating, gives the product heat resistance. Unfortunately, this coating has its drawbacks. Fingerprints and even stains from water drops remain on the plate.
Advantages of MDF:
MDF is widely used in the production of kitchen furniture due to its many advantages:
- Easy to process. The most complex and unusual shapes can be made from MDF.
- Made from environmentally friendly raw materials and completely safe for humans.
- Easy to clean. This is important, especially for a room like the kitchen. The material has a smooth, non-porous surface, so it not only does not absorb dirt, but is also easy to clean with special products.
- Boards of this type, especially varnished ones, are resistant to grease. They do not stain from acids and chemicals, so they can be successfully used in the kitchen.
- The countless colors, patterns and finishes available mean there is something for everyone in their dream kitchen. It is also possible to make the furniture matte, semi-matte or glossy. The surface can be completely adapted to any style of kitchen.
- Attractive price compared to natural wood. Furniture made from MDF is available to almost everyone.
Disadvantages of using MDF
Unfortunately, like any material, MDF also has some disadvantages:
- Low resistance to water and moisture. Edges not protected by acrylic or metal strips are especially susceptible to this. They quickly absorb moisture, swell and deform over time.
- Susceptibility to scratches. In most cases this applies to varnished surfaces. It is not recommended to use products containing abrasives for cleaning.
- With constant exposure to steam made from MDF surface may become matte and cause some discoloration.
- When a scratch appears on the facade, it is difficult to select paint and paint over only the damaged area. We have to completely repaint the entire surface.
- Over time, the material loses its strength and elasticity. The fittings and doors of the kitchen furniture begin to loosen.
Features of MDF countertops
- Resistant to high temperatures - you can place a pot of boiling water on them.
- When exposed to light, the color of the surface does not change.
- Furniture on which the film is correctly installed does not absorb water vapor and water, and the material does not delaminate over time.
- Resistant to soft household chemicals detergents, as well as stains of milk, coffee, tea, wine - they are not absorbed due to lamination.
- Quite resistant to scratches and dents.
- May fade due to direct exposure to steam.
These features apply to work surface countertops. You should be aware that when installing appliances under countertops, they must be additionally secured to bottom side sheet metal or plastic, which will create additional strengthening of the structure.
Laminated chipboard - main advantages and disadvantages
The laminated chipboard material in kitchen production is easy to process and maintains the basic physical and mechanical parameters. The main advantages include:
- The laminated chipboard tabletop is quite strong and durable.
- The material is scratch resistant. Dirt can be cleaned with household chemicals.
- Modern technologies in the production of laminated particle boards ensure the production of furniture various forms and any colors you like.
Regarding negative aspects, then I would like to note the following. When purchasing laminated chipboard, pay attention to the E1 or E2 icons. The E1 marking on a product means that 10 grams of formaldehyde were used per 100 grams of wood chips during the production process. If E2 is indicated on the chipboard, then the amount of formaldehyde can reach 30 grams. Perhaps the presence toxic substance in the composition and is the main disadvantage of laminated chipboard.
Comparison of kitchen furniture
To specifically decide on the material for kitchen furniture, you need to understand what is better - kitchen laminated chipboard or MDF, and what is the difference? It is equally important to study their advantages and understand the disadvantages.
What will last longer, MDF or laminated chipboard?
One of the most important criteria When choosing furniture, durability of use is important. This is something to consider so you don't have to replace your cabinets and countertops every two or three years. It is important to decide whether the kitchen façade will be made of chipboard or MDF.
Furniture made from MDF can boast good durability. Obviously, a product made from laminated chipboard will lose its attractive appearance a little faster. Durability modular kitchen from MDF is one of positive features this furniture. All thanks to the fact that the composition of the material is almost natural and environmentally friendly. In addition, if properly cared for, the equipment will last for many years.
Chipboard or MDF: which resists scratches better?
Another very important feature furniture is its resistance to mechanical damage. Furniture made from MDF is resistant to impact external factors, such as physical wear and tear, high temperature And greasy spots. The situation is worse in the case of steam or water - they damage the MDF structure. For laminated chipboard surfaces, humidity and high temperatures are not dangerous.
The next feature is that furniture components made from chipboard and MDF break in approximately the same way. In case of resistance to mechanical damage, for example, scratches, chipboard holds the lead. This material is resistant to many household chemicals.
Environmental friendliness
An important aspect is the comparison of laminated chipboard and MDF in terms of the content of harmful substances in their composition. The latter negatively affect human life.
Furniture made from chipboard is produced using formaldehyde. This substance is used as a binding element. Although the products are divided into classes E1 and E2, and in the first version less toxic substances were used, furniture made from chipboard is toxic, and this adversely affects health.
In MDF, the composition of the board is close to natural wood and does not provide any negative impact per person. However, in terms of cost, a countertop made of laminated chipboard is cheaper than a product made of MDF.
Aesthetic value
Which is better: MDF or LSPD for the kitchen? The attractive appearance of the furniture is another main feature, which is very important when purchasing. Much depends on the client’s desires, needs and financial capabilities. It's quite easy to impress guests by installing it in your home. beautiful kitchen. Available on the market large selection colors and patterns, so there is no problem finding something that really suits your taste. If you want a kitchen with a rounded shape or stained glass, then give your preference to MDF. Laminated chipboard is not such a plastic material, and it cannot take such shapes. However, the color range is much wider and more varied for furniture made from chipboard.
Choosing the right material from which yours will be made kitchen furniture, has great value. The type determines the character of the furniture, and as a result, the style of the interior is created. After reading, it’s easy to determine which is better, MDF or laminated chipboard for the kitchen.
Having analyzed all the main features of MDF and laminated chipboard, as well as the disadvantages and advantages of each material, we can say that the most environmentally friendly and durable material is MDF. However, as for the variety of colors, laminated chipboard furniture can be made in almost any color. If we consider the prices of furniture, then a kitchen made of laminated chipboard will be more affordable. The final decision on which is better, MDF or chipboard for the kitchen, will depend only on your choice.
