MDF, chipboard or chipboard - which is better? LDSP: what is it? features, benefits, manufacturers overview MDF or chipboard furniture quality

The material for the manufacture of kitchen furniture is a guarantee of its high-quality performance and long-term use. In the process of choosing a material, questions often arise: which one is better to order? What to choose: MDF or chipboard? What is the best surface treatment: plastic, film or enamel? To date, manufacturers offer all kinds of options for decorating a kitchen space, and in order to choose the right option, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of each well.

Pros and cons of MDF

MDF (fine fraction) is wood dust boards pressed on an adhesive basis. Such material is very practical and, at the same time, inexpensive. Painted MDF is much more expensive, but its price matches the quality. The process of applying paint takes place in several layers, which are varnished at the end of the process.

The customer can model the desired type of kitchen furniture, its shape and decide on a color preference. MDF provides an opportunity to give furniture oval shapes, make sharp corners more rounded, thanks to various technologies. If you choose the painted version of MDF, you can use any shade from a wide range of colors to individualize and brighten the kitchen furniture. A good option would be the synthesis of colors.

There are several varieties of MDF. The dyed material is distinguished by its durability. It is resistant to any external damage: abundant moisture, a lot of dirt, scratches. Frame MDF visually creates the appearance of using different types of wood. MDF with PVC elements will perfectly protect kitchen furniture from moisture and high temperatures.

  • ordinary MDF will be an excellent budget option;
  • huge color range;
  • relatively moisture resistant material;
  • any preferences in the choice of form are possible;
  • the process of washing and wiping the surface occurs without problems;
  • various coating options: varnish, matte, laminated, plastic;
  • perfect for long term use.
  • painted MDF is quite expensive;
  • any dirt and scuffs easily remain on the surface of this material;
  • from contact with high temperatures quickly deteriorates if covered with a film.

MDF has become a real breakthrough in the market of facade materials. It is ideal for making kitchen furniture. MDF is an analogue of real wood, so you should not use dense materials to cover it. The most popular ways of finishing the surface of this material are PVC films and enamel.

Advice. In order for the MDF facade to last for a long time, it is better to cover it with plastic.

Advantages of chipboard

Chipboard - chipboard, replaced the facades of ordinary wood. This material has become a budget option for the manufacture of kitchen furniture.

The basis of the material is dried chips pressed together with synthetic resins. For a better appearance, chipboard is varnished, and the surface is covered with additional material that hides the irregularities remaining after grinding.

Chipboard is the cheapest option for making a facade. But unfortunately poor quality. The facade of the kitchen from this material will look cheap and unattractive. Chipboard cannot be molded to the desired shape, as it is not flexible. Only simple designs can be made from it, which can hardly be called fashionable and convenient to use.

Attention! LDPS must be covered with additional material. This will help to hide the unevenness and make the surface of the kitchen furniture usable.

Advantages:

  • very cheap material;
  • can be used as a temporary option.

Flaws:

  • low quality;
  • must be covered with additional material;
  • simple and unattractive appearance;
  • low thermal and moisture resistance;
  • requires constant care.

The main positive quality of chipboard is its budget. This material may not be the best option for making trendy kitchen furniture. Moreover, it does not meet all the standards of kitchen equipment. But LDPS will be an ideal temporary option for a kitchen facade or a new thing for a rented apartment.

Advantages of plastic

Unlike MDF and chipboard, plastic is not the basis for the manufacture of kitchen furniture, but its decorative coating. This is the best way to keep the appearance of the facade. Thanks to this additional coating, kitchen furniture will last much longer and retain its appearance. Caring for a plastic surface does not present any difficulties: it is perfectly cleaned with detergents, without absorbing them, and is easily wiped off from dirt.

Since the plastic is only a coating, a base is used to make the kitchen front. Such a basis can be a budget option - chipboard or more expensive - MDF. During the processing of the base material, the plastic is glued to its surface.

The plastic is based on ordinary paper, which allows you to combine different colors, patterns, and create a unique product for further use. The color design will favorably emphasize the appearance of kitchen furniture and make it more visually attractive.

Advantages:

  • durable in use;
  • heat resistant;
  • moisture resistant material;
  • a large selection of colors and patterns;
  • easy to clean, does not absorb heavy dirt;
  • does not fade in the sun.

Thus, plastic will become the best material for additional coating. It is perfect for a long period of operation and will be well preserved. Cleaning kitchen surfaces will become even easier, as the plastic is easy to wipe off and does not come into contact with detergents.

What is the best material to use?

The answer to this question depends on several factors.

First, the price characteristic. If kitchen furniture is to become a common budget option, chipboard should be used. MDF is a much better option, but, accordingly, it costs more. It resembles natural wood and is of higher quality.

Second, surface treatment. Chipboard is initially treated with varnish, but the coating must be finished with plastic. With the help of a finishing material, the upper ball of the kitchen facade will become smooth and usable. The surface of MDF can be treated with enamel or PVC film. This will improve the appearance of the facade and make it smoother. In order to extend the life of the facade, it is better to process it with additional material - plastic.

Thirdly, the expiration date. If kitchen furniture is made for a long period, you should spare no expense and choose MDF. Chipboard is perfect only as a temporary option.

Fourth, design. If the kitchen furniture is planned to be made in a trendy style with round corners and additional design options, MDF will be the only option.

Finding the right material for making kitchen furniture is very difficult. It all depends on the price characteristics, duration of operation, appearance and design. The market offers a wide range of raw materials for the kitchen front, but plastic coated MDF is the best option. It includes all the necessary qualities for the manufacture of perfect kitchen furniture.

Furniture facades: video

Material for kitchen furniture: photo





Repair who has not encountered it? Almost everyone in his life did repairs in his own apartment or helped a friend. In the modern world, the range of building materials is diverse. Every year there are more and more improved ones.

The correct prioritization helps to choose the right one: in which room the repair is carried out, what characteristics the material should have, design solutions and of course the cost. As a result of repair and construction works, materials made from natural wood - MDF, chipboard and laminated chipboard - have gained the most popularity.

Before proceeding to compare these materials, it is necessary to understand their essence.

MDF boards are the smallest sawdust glued together by dry pressing. This material is very often used for the manufacture of furniture. It has a number of positive characteristics:

  • Environmental friendliness
  • Homogeneous structure
  • Strength
  • Deformation resistance
  • moisture resistance

The disadvantages include exposure to high temperatures and high cost.

For the manufacture of chipboard, wood particles and a non-mineral binder are used. Under the action of a hot press, the chips are compacted and acquire a stable structure.

The advantages of this material are low cost, strength and moisture resistance. Among the shortcomings, the negative effect of the formaldehyde resins that make up the composition on humans is usually distinguished.

At its core, it is a chipboard plate, additionally processed with melamine films. The advantages of this material are strength "due to the additional layer", low cost, a wide choice of colors, ease of processing. The disadvantages were not spared. These include the difficulty in the implementation of figured cutting, low moisture resistance.

The presented two materials have many of the same characteristics. The cost of both satisfies market demands and is available to the average buyer. Strength indicators are at a good level. So what is the difference between chipboard and chipboard, which is better?

The first difference is strength. The laminated surface of the board, when exposed to harsh and critical conditions, allows the original shape to be retained to a greater extent.

The second difference is the breadth of choice of design solutions. The laminated chipboard can have a different texture, glossy or matte, and also has a variety of colors.

The third difference is resistance to high temperatures. Chipboard does not reach the chipboard index for this property.

The fourth difference is the increased moisture resistance. Thanks to the additional coating of the laminated board with a specific varnish, the scope of use increases "it is possible to install furniture made of this material in the bathroom."

Chipboard or chipboard, which is better to say is difficult. Both options are widely used in the construction and furniture industries. If we take into account only the main characteristics, then chipboard is superior in a small part.

These two materials are leaders in use in furniture production. Each takes its own place. When comparing laminated chipboard and MDF, it is necessary to remember their characteristics. Possessing softness and ease of processing, MDF allows you to produce carved details that can decorate any interior. Facades of cabinets, headboards, carved elements - everything is made of MDF.

Chipboard is a material that has the ability to withstand high temperatures and a good indicator of moisture resistance. Often in the furniture industry it is used for the manufacture of kitchen sets and bathroom furniture. The cost characteristic of this material is very attractive. A wide selection of color shades of laminated film allows you to use this material for the manufacture of various furniture. It will easily fit into any interior.

Differences between chipboard and MDF

  • Material density. MDF is soft and is used in the furniture industry for the manufacture of carved elements.
  • Price. Chipboard is an affordable material and allows you to make budget furniture options.
  • Environmental friendliness. MDV does not contain harmful components in its composition, unlike chipboard.
  • Design. Chipboard has a wide range of colors.

Bedroom furniture. The place where a person spends most of his life. Therefore, safety will be an important aspect. Based on this, chipboard is often preferred. As already mentioned, the cost solution to this issue will go beyond the average. An excellent solution can be a combination of several materials. This will save money and give the bedroom an interesting design look.

Furniture for kitchen. The second place where we spend a lot of time in the apartment is the kitchen.

The environment should be pleasing to the eye. But when choosing a material for creating a kitchen set, you need to take into account two nuances. One of the disadvantages of MDM is the instability to temperature effects. A high temperature for the kitchen is a daily manifestation. On the other hand, chipboard is afraid of moisture. In this regard, the use of this material in the manufacture of furniture under the sink becomes unacceptable.

An optimized solution and careful planning of all necessary cabinets will allow you to find the best solution in the choice of material. At present, the furniture industry has learned to adapt to the shortcomings of the material. In this regard, chipboard, which has increased moisture resistance, appeared on the building materials market. During its manufacture, a paraffin emulsion is added to the chips, thanks to which chipboard acquires an enhanced property.

Children's room furniture. For children, the safety and environmental friendliness of the material are the main properties that are absorbed when choosing furniture. If you can still be creative and combine in the bedroom, then you should not save for a child. It is preferable to choose MDF. But still, if the cost does not allow, you need to take the time to study the security certificates and choose the best option. According to environmental standards, there are two classes of chipboard:

  • E1 - highly environmentally friendly. The emission rate of harmful substances of this type of chipboard is minimal. Manufacturers are trying to reduce this mark to zero every year.
  • E2 - less environmentally friendly. The degree of formaldehyde emission from chipboard of this class is higher than the previous one. Elements made of this type of material are not allowed to be used for children's rooms.

Cupboard. This piece of furniture is used in almost every room. Furniture specialists have already found the best option. Often, curly cuts and curvilinear cuts are made of MDF, the internal filling remains behind chipboard and chipboard. Facades - preference in their manufacture, of course, with MDF. They can be ennobled with a pattern or sinuous lines.

Bathroom furniture. Based on the properties of the material, it would be preferable to use MDF. It is he who has a high degree of moisture resistance. But as mentioned above, for the manufacture of an economy option, chipboard with paraffin impregnation is suitable. If price plays an important role in choosing a material, you can consider this option.

Construction. These materials are used not only in the furniture industry.

Due to their properties, they have occupied their niche in the construction industry. With its good structure, chipboard perfectly withstands the impact of self-tapping screws, nails and bolts. Often it is used in the manufacture of partitions. The ease of processing of MDF made this material necessary for the installation of ventilation facades, roof elements.

Progress does not stand still. New technologies and materials fill the market of building and furniture materials all the time. Wood-based panels are an excellent alternative to natural wood. Their characteristics make it possible to make furniture of high quality and accessible to everyone. Undoubtedly, natural wood looks noble and expensive, but it also requires special care. Very often there is simply not enough time and money for this. A competent approach to the choice of material will allow you to focus on one that will satisfy all the required requests and will not disappoint during operation.

Furniture for the kitchen should be not only functional, but also beautiful. In the manufacture of facades, MDF and chipboard are used, we will consider what is the difference between these materials and what is better to choose.

What is MDF and chipboard?

Materials such as MDF and laminated chipboard are actively used in the production of furniture elements for residential premises. What is better to choose MDF or chipboard? When choosing, it must be taken into account that the doors of kitchen furniture are mechanically affected, as well as moisture that gets from wet hands. It is better to choose the facades of cabinets from MDF, and the shelves can be made from chipboard.

Consider what these materials are, laminated chipboard is laminated chipboard, made by pressing sawdust, which is treated with formaldehyde resin. After that, the pressed material is laminated, that is, covered with a special film impregnated with melamine resin. Thanks to paraffin, as well as its emulsion, the material becomes resistant to moisture.

MDF board is made from wood fibers by pressing dry chips. During manufacture, paraffin is added to the material, which gives it strength and good resistance to moisture. Chips for the manufacture of MDF are used in a fine fraction, so MDF facades are many times stronger than chipboard.

Advantages and disadvantages of chipboard

The main advantage of laminated chipboard is its low price, it can vary from the thickness of the material. The cost may also vary depending on the structure of the surface. This type of material has low resistance to humidity and high temperature conditions, and these are the main factors found in the kitchen. The color of laminated chipboard can be varied, and the structure imitates wood.
The material has its drawbacks, it is forbidden to mill it due to its rigidity. Also, the stove emits toxic substances, since it contains many different resins. When using, you need to pay attention to the seams, if moisture gets there, the board will swell and finally deteriorate. Therefore, all connections must be closed.

Main characteristics of MDF

MDF boards lend themselves well to milling, their rigidity allows you to perform such procedures, as a result, you can make a beautiful embossed surface. When covering the plate with PVC film, you can make the surface more original. The surface of such a material is resistant to moisture, and household products, as well as products are considered fire resistant. MDF does not swell, which leads to destruction as a result of moisture ingress. Furniture items made of this material are distinguished by originality and beauty.
You can choose a different color scheme, and the structure that matches the interior of the room.

What is a frame façade?

Very often, a frame front side is used, that is, the frame is made of MDF profiles, and inserts are made of chipboard, glass or metal elements. MDF is processed with veneer or PVC film. At the same time, you can create an original interior, and save on materials. The disadvantages are fragility in use, and difficult care. In some cases, the frames are poorly connected, and the product begins to loosen.

enameled MDF

The product will have an original look if it is decorated with various colors using enamel. To do this, it is necessary to prime the plate, paint, dry, sand, and then apply the remaining layers.
When the last layer dries, it is varnished and then polished again. The main advantage is the originality of the facade of the furniture product. Compared to plastic, this material is expensive. Also, the disadvantage is that during mechanical shocks, chips are formed that cannot be repaired.

How to properly process the ends?

It is necessary to perform additional finishing of the ends to protect the product from moisture, and this also simplifies the cleaning process. If plastic is used, then it can be bent on both sides initially. If the product needs to be trimmed, then you need to glue a decorative PVC edge on the cut or process it with acrylic. The edge should match the color of the furniture. You can also process the cuts with cutters, and then glue the decorative film.

What is better to choose?

When all the disadvantages and advantages of materials are known, it is easy to independently determine what is better to choose for the kitchen. An excellent option for the manufacture of kitchen furniture is MDF, when choosing such a material, not only the facades, but also the shelves will be durable. Since the product is resistant to humidity and temperature changes. But the cost of items will be much more expensive, so the products are combined.
First of all, it is necessary to evaluate all the pros and cons of the material:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • moisture resistance;
  • appearance;
  • strength;
  • ease of care;
  • affordable cost;
  • durability.

MDF has a high density, it gives the product strength, does not allow the elements to loosen. Also, the surface can be decorated with a variety of patterns by carving. Such material is very close to wood, it contains practically no toxic elements. Thus, using this material, the furniture is durable, and does not collapse when exposed to moisture. The service life of such products is twenty years.

Varieties of finishing objects from MDF

The front side of the plate can have a different finish, which affects the strength and appearance of the product.

  1. Lamination with PVC film reliably protects the board from moisture. This method is great for furniture in the kitchen, where items are often washed or opened with wet hands, and water from dishes or other utensils can simply get on them.
  2. A thin wooden coating can be glued onto the surface, this is called veneer finishing. Items have a natural beautiful appearance, but the material will be too fragile, so mechanical damage should be avoided.
  3. Also, high resistance to moisture forms a layer of varnish, which is applied to the surface. Therefore, objects with such a coating are resistant to high temperatures, this is typical for kitchens. The disadvantage is that touch marks or product stains may appear on the surface.

The main advantages of MDF for the kitchen

MDF is actively used in the furniture industry, as it has many advantages.

  1. Easy to process the product, complex and original patterns can be cut from the material.
  2. Plates are made of environmentally friendly material, and do not cause harm to health, there is no release of toxic substances.
  3. Ease of care plays an important role, the furniture is easy to clean, as the surface has a smooth structure. Dirt is not absorbed due to the absence of pores and gaps, the boards are resistant to grease contamination. Also, there are no traces of household detergents that are used in the kitchen on the surface.
  4. The surface can be matte or glossy, depending on preferences, and the interior. The material can be suitable for any chosen style of the room.
  5. Compared with natural wood, the cost of such materials is much lower, and the strength is high. Items last about twenty years with proper use.
  6. Such products are original, the appearance indicates the high cost of items.

All the advantages and disadvantages allow you to determine which material is better to use for kitchen furniture, you should also rely on the cost of items so that the price is affordable.

In the modern market, MDF furniture is considered the best, and of high quality, but it also has a rather big cost. The cheapest material is chipboard, so that the cost is affordable, materials can be combined.
First of all, it is necessary to consider the environmental friendliness of the material so that the furniture does not harm health, and then on the quality and appearance. To save on material and choose a durable frame, you can combine materials, take the base from MDF, and the shelves from chipboard. Although the first material would be ideal, it will last a long time, does not loosen, does not collapse when exposed to moisture, and under the influence of high temperature.

The first thing to consider when choosing kitchen furniture is its functionality. But equally important is an attractive appearance. And you also need to consider the price of furniture. Many people want to get high-quality and beautiful furniture for little money. But which is better: MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?

Material for the facade of the kitchen

The following materials are used for arrangement:

  • chipboard;
  • wood;
  • framework;
  • aluminum profile.

If everything is clear with wood or aluminum, then the abbreviations chipboard and MDF raise questions for many. These materials are widely used in modern furniture production.

The creation of materials such as chipboard and MDF allows the development of a wide range of products for the home, including for the kitchen. Which is better: MDF or chipboard?

For the kitchen, it is necessary that the furniture withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. The doors of the cabinets are constantly amenable to mechanical stress, they are opened with wet hands. Therefore, the facade is usually made of MDF, and the side walls and shelves are made of chipboard. This is due to the characteristics of the materials.

and MDF

Chipboard is laminated chipboard. It is obtained by pressing sawdust. But first they are treated with formaldehyde resin. Then it is laminated - covered with a paper film impregnated with melamine resin. Water-resistant chipboard is made by paraffin or its emulsion.

The predecessor of chipboard appeared in the 40s of the last century. For its decoration, not only lamination is used, but also plastic, veneer, acrylic and even artificial stone.

MDF is obtained by pressing dried chips. Before that, paraffin is added to it. They make the material durable. The sawdust used for the production of MDF is very small. Therefore, the product obtained from it is much stronger and denser. There are not so many resins harmful to humans in such products. Such a plate appeared in the 60s of the last century.

So which is better, MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?

Advantages of waterproof chipboard

Perhaps its main advantage is the low cost of chipboard. The price of a sheet ranges from 220 to 400 rubles. It depends on the thickness, which can be from 8 to 25 millimeters.

Products made from this material tolerate humidity and high temperatures well, which are often found in the kitchen furniture made of laminated chipboard.

The price also depends on the type of decor.

The color range of products from LDPS is quite wide. Often she repeats the colors of wood of different species.

Disadvantages of chipboard

Firstly, it is rigidity, due to which it cannot be milled.

Due to the presence of various resins, chipboard is classified as a toxic material. This indicator depends on what kind of resin was used in its manufacture. Least of all harmful substances are found in plates of class E1.

Nevertheless, even countertops are created from chipboard. Chipboard is covered with HPL plastic, which is also called laminate, using postforming technology. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the seams. If it is bad, then moisture gets to the sawdust, the tabletop board swells and loses all its qualities. Chipboard countertops are often not of very high quality.

Advantages of MDF

The material is easy to process with milling tools. It turns out a patterned relief surface.

PVC film in various colors can give furniture a modern and stylish look. She is not afraid of exposure to acids and household chemicals. Various enamels are used for furniture finishing.

MDF products are fire resistant. They don't swell with moisture. We can say that the material in its characteristics is much closer to wood than chipboard. The surface of the MDF kitchen (gloss) is beautiful and original. The use of special effects (mother of pearl, chameleon) makes it possible to obtain beautiful and original products. And if we take into account the presence of all kinds of colors, then manufacturers have ample opportunities to create beautiful and original products for the kitchen.

Disadvantages of MDF

Higher price than for chipboard products.

The coating may peel off at temperatures above 75 degrees.

Frame facades

Frame facades are used. The frame made of MDF profile is complemented by inserts made of chipboard, metal, glass. The frame is finished with PVC film or veneer. Their advantage is low price and the ability to create a large number of different design options.

Disadvantages - fragility, difficulty in care. The frames are sometimes loosely connected, which leads to the unsteadiness of the product.

Finishing the ends of products

The postforming method consists in the fact that it is already bent at two ends. Others are treated with a decorative edge after they are cut to the desired size.

Most often, all four ends are treated with PVC, acrylic or aluminum rim. The color of the edging can contrast with the color of the furniture.

The softforming method consists in processing the edges of the workpiece with cutters with a rounding outwards. The decorative film is glued end-to-end at the cut point.

MDF with enamel

Very spectacular products can be obtained by decorating MDF products with enamel of various colors. First, the surface is primed, painted, dried, sanded. The next layer is applied, then a few more.

After processing the last layer, the surface is varnished. After drying, polish again.

The advantage is a beautiful view, the disadvantage is the high cost compared to plastic or film coating. Such furniture can fade in the sun, fingerprints remain on it. The back of the doors is usually white. In addition, mechanical shocks cause chips that cannot be repaired.

What's better

So which is better: MDF or chipboard? For the kitchen, would it be nice to make all the furniture from MDF, and not just the facades? Yes, it would be stronger. But much more expensive. Therefore, this configuration is more often used.

MDF has a higher density. This will not only prolong the life of the products, but also allow you to decorate them with various carved patterns and decorative ornaments.

The furniture created in this way has a beautiful appearance, the facade is indestructible. Of course, this furniture is not as durable as wood, but with normal care, it will serve the owners faithfully for a couple of decades. And during this time, perhaps, new technologies will be created to produce better furniture. MDF kitchen reviews are different. In general, consumers like the look, but are not satisfied with the quality of the countertop.

The set is the central element of any kitchen, which directly determines its aesthetic appearance and functionality. That is why the choice of furniture must be approached more than seriously - any oversight, or rather its correction, will cost you a lot of money, nerves and strength. In particular, special attention should be paid to the material - this is the main characteristic of the headset. But on the modern market there are dozens of variations of cuisines - how to understand which one is better to order? To make it easier for you to choose, we will further consider the general requirements for kitchen furniture and the features of the most common materials: chipboard, plastic and three types of MDF - painted, veneered and laminated.

Since the set occupies the forefront of the kitchen, it largely sets the tone for the perception of the interior, therefore, of course, the first requirement for furniture is in the decorative plane: it must fit into the overall style of the room and please with its appearance.

But subjective evaluation is only half the story. Considering that the operating conditions in the kitchen are not exactly mild, and the furniture here is always in contact with moisture, grease and steam, it is very important that the facade material also meets a number of functional requirements:

  • moisture resistance;
  • ease of care;
  • resistance to various cleaning agents;

  • strength - facades should not warp over time;
  • resistance to high temperatures - this is especially true for furniture located directly next to the oven;
  • resistance to mechanical shocks;
  • durability.

Now let's take a closer look at the operational and aesthetic properties of the most popular materials for the kitchen.

Kitchens from laminated chipboard

Headsets made of laminated chipboard are made from the usual chipboard, but coated in the form of a special paper-resin film. The manufacturing process is quite simple: a chipboard base is prepared, the paper is treated with melamine resin, and then the resulting coating is connected to the board under high pressure.

Advantages of chipboard:

  1. The ability to create headsets of absolutely any size.
  2. Very low price - chipboard is the cheapest option of all the materials considered for the kitchen.
  3. A wide range of colors and textures, including those imitating noble natural wood.

Cons of chipboard:

  1. Low thermal and moisture resistance - to make the material more practical, it must be additionally treated with protective compounds.
  2. Relatively short service life.
  3. The impossibility of fine processing and the creation of curvilinear headsets.
  4. The tendency to rapid loosening, due to the increased friability of the plates.

Painted MDF

Kitchens covered with enamel paint can safely claim the title of the most colorful sets. To create them, a special auto-painting technology is used: first, the plate is treated with a primer, covered with several layers of paint, sanded, polished and varnished.

Important! The appearance and level of abrasion of the facades directly depend on the number of layers of paint, therefore, the more thorough the coating of the furniture, the more presentable and durable it is.

Advantages of painted MDF:

  1. A huge selection of colors - manufacturers offer facades of almost all shades with different levels of brightness and saturation. There are also models with a gradient fill.
  2. A wide range of coatings: glossy, matte, mother-of-pearl, pearl, chameleon, metallic.
  3. Ease of cleaning.
  4. Moisture resistance.

Cons of painted MDF:

  1. High cost - painted board is the most expensive in the group of MDF materials.
  2. Low resistance to direct sunlight - facades fade quickly.
  3. Susceptibility to mechanical deformation due to impacts.
  4. There are visible fingerprints.

MDF with PVC film

Finishing an MDF board with PVC film is the easiest way to make kitchen facades: the wood fiber blank is treated with an adhesive and laminated under pressure with a film that acts as a decorative and protective coating for furniture.

Advantages of MDF with PVC film:

  1. Low price.
  2. A rich choice of shades and prints - the film can be not only plain, colored or decorated with various images, but also imitating valuable wood with its texture.
  3. Ease of care.
  4. Detergent resistant.
  5. Resistance to mechanical damage and abrasion.

Cons of MDF with PVC film:

  1. Low resistance to humidity and high temperatures - under the influence of these factors, the film begins to peel off quickly from the base.
  2. White back side, which often gets dirty.
  3. Instability to ultraviolet rays.
  4. Pretty cheap appearance - no matter how effectively the film imitates natural materials, the appearance of the furniture still gives out a “fake”.

plastic kitchens

A plastic set is a decorative plastic in the role of a facade and chipboard or MDF as a base. Such furniture looks most successfully in modern interiors.

Advantages of plastic kitchens:

  1. Large selection of colors, shapes and textures.
  2. Waterproof and resistant to cleaning agents.
  3. High resistance to mechanical shocks.
  4. Hygiene.
  5. Easy tolerance of any temperature changes.
  6. Low price.
  7. Relative ease of cleaning - glossy plastic is easily washed even from grease stains.
  8. Long service life compared to other materials.

Cons of plastic kitchens:

  1. All small scratches and water drips are visible on the facades.
    Even light fingerprints remain.
  2. Matte facades are difficult to clean.
  3. Cheap kitchens are absolutely not resistant to sunlight.

Advice. In plastic kitchens, the edge at the ends of the facade is of great importance: the most reliable and durable option is post-formed ends with smoothly rounded edges.

Veneered MDF kitchens mean a set with an MDF base and a veneer coating - a thin wood sheet obtained from natural species.

Advantages of veneered MDF:

  1. The naturalness of the surface - provides a noble appearance of the furniture.
  2. Reliability and high resistance to various kinds of mechanical stress.
  3. Long service life.
  4. Easy to restore – due to the fact that the veneer is made from natural wood, it can be lightly sanded to eliminate scratches and other shallow damage. More serious deformations can be “closed” with special patches made of veneer sheets.

Cons of veneered MDF:

  1. High price compared to painted material and film. If you save on veneer, due to high humidity and steam, it can quickly peel off or warp.
  2. Risk of darkening and loss of original color when exposed to sunlight.

Advice. High-quality protection of veneered facades from aging - varnishing.

Thus, chipboard, plastic and all types of MDF differ from each other in a number of operational, aesthetic and even financial characteristics. Therefore, the only sure way to determine which kitchen is better to order is to evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of the considered materials and correlate them with your requirements and the characteristics of the particular room for which the furniture is purchased.

Kitchen set design: video

Which kitchen set to choose: photo