The durability and reliability of furniture depend on its material composition and quality. Most decor fittings are made using solid wood. However, it is expensive and might be challenging to access and work with. It is in this context that we will discuss what is MDF board.
You may wonder what is MDF board. Medium-density fibreboard is an affordable and easy-to-handle engineered wood made of thin panels as compared to solid wood. You can use this long-lasting material to make elegant and chic home decor.
What is MDF Board?
Let’s understand what is MDF board in detail. An MDF board is manufactured using broken-down residual wood and sawdust particles. These fine fibre particles are then combined and bonded with wax and resin particles and compressed into the shape of a board. This process takes place under extremely high temperatures and using high pressure. The thickness of an MDF board ranges between 4 mm to 25 mm.
Nowadays, this strong and dense board is frequently used in place of natural wood to make furniture, cabinet doors, floorings, and walk-in wardrobe designs.
Now that you have understood what is MDF board, let’s see its features.
What is MDF Board: Features
You are wondering what is MDF board and what features make it good for crafting furniture. They are:
-
MDF boards do not have grains because they are made from composite materials and have a uniform density.
-
MDF boards have a smooth surface that is free from knots, rough ends and layers inside. You can use a saw to cut MDF boards from either side. You can also carve grooves and mouldings in it.
-
It is easy to apply polish, paint or varnish on MDF boards.
-
You can achieve a wood-like appearance and an overall natural finish by applying veneer on an MDF board.
-
MDF boards are sustainable and environment-friendly.
-
MDF boards have consistent dimensions that make them durable and reliable. It does not shrink or swell when in contact with high temperatures.
-
Waterproof MDF boards can resist warping to some extent.
-
MDF boards are crafted by compressing the fibres under extremely high pressure and heat so there are no air pockets inside. They have a clear and consistent cross-section for convenient usage.
We’ve seen what is MDF board and its characteristics. Now, we’ll see what is MDF board used for.
What is MDF Board Good For?
What is MDF board used for? Here are some ideas:
-
Furniture: MDF board furniture is resistant to variations in structure caused due to high heat and humidity. Thus, MDF board home decor items are lightweight.
-
Cabinets: MDF boards are used to make cabinet doors, shelves and wardrobes in kitchens, and topped off with a laminate coating for appeal. Since they are available in a wide variety of finishes, MDF boards are frequently utilised to get a minimal wardrobe design look for your cooking space.
-
Wall Panels: MDF boards have great insulation and acoustic properties, making them an excellent material to build wall panels and partitions. You can use them as sound insulation panels to decorate your house and office.
-
Flooring: MDF boards are also used for flooring, thanks to their high density and steadiness. Do not use MDF boards in areas with high humidity and moisture.
-
Decorative Walls: When thinking about what is MDF board, it is an excellent choice to experiment with multiple textures and patterns on your walls for a unique look. It can be used to create textured walls with 3D detailing, such as waves, shapes and mouldings. You can also make different textures with paint on your walls with an MDF board as a base.
-
Cornices: Composed of fine fibres, an MDF panel board can be easily cut and carved into cornices, mouldings, pilasters and other decorative shapes. These structures are easy to be painted on and lacquered with a top coating.
-
Television Unit Wall: If you are worried about TV cables getting tangled, making a partition wall out of MDF board behind your television is ideal. You can hide the wires behind the wall for a neat look.
-
Doors and Frames: When thinking about what is MDF board, it is widely used to make sturdy doors and frames. You get effortless sliding wardrobe designs or hinged wardrobe designs.
What is MDF Panel Board: Pros and Cons
We know what is MDF board, its characteristics, and what it is used for. Let us understand its pros and cons for purposes like modular wardrobe designs.
-
MDF boards are more affordable than natural wood and plywood.
-
MDF boards have a consistent density with no splinters, voids and air pockets making them a hassle-free material to work with.
-
MDF boards have a smooth surface that is convenient to apply paint, varnish, or veneer on.
-
You can effortlessly cut and carve unique and beautiful shapes, patterns and mouldings into an MDF board and customise it.
-
An MDF board is difficult to crack and bend. They are unlikely to expand and contract under high temperatures.
When you consider what is MDF board, you should keep its disadvantages in mind, too.
-
An MDF panel board can absorb moisture and swell or contract when exposed to water and high humidity.
-
Although MDF board is cheaper than natural wood, it is not stronger.
-
MDF panel boards cannot withstand heavy loads and can sag under heavy weights.
-
MDF boards contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are harmful to your health when inhaled.
To Sum Up
So, what is MDF board? It is an engineered material made from wood and sawdust particles and compressed using resin under high pressure. It is used as a replacement for plywood or solid wood to make cabinets, doors, frames, wall panels and other furniture. You can visit the official HomeLane Blog to understand more about different materials and how to incorporate them into your decor.
Furniture and home decor significantly impact the overall appeal of your lovely abode, and the materials you use are a crucial factor. We, at HomeLane, help you build your dream home with pocket-friendly and diverse furnishing options.
FAQs
1. Is MDF better than wood?
Both MDF and solid wood have unique properties suitable for making different decor items and furniture. For example, if you want to create a wardrobe that can hold umpteen clothing options, use solid wood as it is sturdier. However, use MDF panel boards to renovate and spruce up your kitchen cabinets as they are more versatile and customisable.
2. What is an MDF board used for?
MDF boards are dense, versatile, affordable and convenient to mould and customise. You can use MDF panel boards to make doors for wooden wardrobe designs, frames, cabinets in I-shaped wardrobe designs, shelves, wardrobes, wall panels, partition walls, floorings and other home decor items.
3. Which is better: MDF board or plywood?
An MDF panel board is easier to customise and carve into different decorative items for an elegant look, unlike plywood. Plywood is more durable and flexible when compared to MDF, which will easily crack when bent. If you are searching for a material to make something that is to be installed in a humid and moist area, plywood is a long-lasting option than MDF.
4. What are the disadvantages of MDF?
MDF boards can get damaged by moisture and humidity. A cabinet made out of MDF boards cannot support heavy loads. Most MDF panel boards contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) like urea-formaldehyde, which is dangerous for health. As MDF boards are composed of fine particles, they do not hold screws properly.
5. What is MDF board made of?
MDF or medium-density fibreboard is a specially-crafted material used as a replacement for solid wood or plywood. It is made using fine waste particles of wood or sawdust. They are compressed into thin panels under high temperature and pressure and bonded with wax or resin. You can use these panel boards to make furniture, cabinets, floorings and other furniture.
6. Where should you not use MDF?
When MDF panels come into contact with water and moisture, they tend to expand or contract, making it a hassle to replace the material. Hence, you should not use MDF panels in:
-
Trim of bathroom
-
Bathroom cabinets
-
Window sills with leakage problems
