The advantage of MDF is that. Which is better - mdf or chipboard for the kitchen: comparison, advantages and disadvantages

MDF is the material you have probably heard of. In the vast majority of cases, it is mentioned in the context of the furniture industry, but its scope is much wider, and the list of works using medium density fibreboard also includes interior decoration. Today I want to talk about such material as MDF panels.

This material appeared in the United States back in 1966. MDF came to Russia much later - in 1997, and immediately began to gain its position in the furniture industry. Well, the largest producer of this plate material is China.

Like chipboard or fiberboard, this material is based on wood fragments. However, there are fundamental differences in the manufacturing process. If the first two options contain binding resins of synthetic origin, which hold the chips and fibers together, then MDF is made differently - sawdust is pressed under high pressure and temperature. At the same time, under such extreme conditions, lignin is released from them, which serves as a binder. This manufacturing method brought the material one of the advantages.

Advantages and disadvantages of MDF panels

• Complete environmental friendliness. Unlike chipboard and fiberboard, MDF does not contain chemical compounds that emit harmful substances. The emission of formaldehyde in this case is close to that of natural wood;
• Low material cost. Despite the fact that MDF is generally more expensive than similar chipboard materials, the cost of finishing panels based on them remains very low and looks more attractive than in the case of wood;
• Attractive appearance and diverse color palette;
• The panels are laid on a pre-installed frame, which allows not to carry out work on leveling the wall. In addition, this approach allows you to carry out wiring and other communications under the wall;
• The material has even geometric shapes, which simplifies installation as much as possible. Simplicity also contributes to the castle connection;
• Unlike wooden panels, it does not require varnishing after installation.

Other advantages of MDF panels include the fact that insect pests are completely indifferent to them, they perfectly absorb sound and poorly conduct temperature, which gives them the function of a heater. In addition, cracks do not appear in such panels over time.

The disadvantages are traditionally the wooden nature of such panels. Like everything created on the basis of this material, these finishing elements are highly flammable, so it is not advisable to install them in rooms with a high chance of fire. Also, MDF panels are afraid of water, and in this sense they are even less preferable than solid wood. They can only be used in interior decoration, in well-heated rooms with a low level of humidity. Otherwise, mold may soon form.

Panel mounting

The technology implies a frame and frameless mounting method. In this case, the latter is used only if the surface of the wall does not have even the slightest curvature, as well as poorly adhering fragments. In this case, installation work can be carried out using liquid nails or wood glue. It is necessary to apply the latter not in a continuous layer, but in a zigzag pattern. In this case, the wall must be previously cleaned of dust, dirt and grease stains, since all this drastically reduces the quality of installation.

But in general, the method of mounting on a frame base is much more often used. Of course, in this case there is a drawback - a decrease in usable area, but at the same time, not only wiring, but also insulating material can be hidden under the surface. As for the frame, it can be made from wooden beams, or from metal guides.

The wooden frame as a whole is easier to assemble, and it is also much easier to sheathe it - even small carnations can handle it, which makes neither a screwdriver nor self-tapping screws unnecessary. However, the advantages of this approach are partly offset by the fact that you have to spend time impregnating the wooden surface with antiseptic compounds in order to increase the durability of the base. With a metal frame, there are no such problems, as well as with durability. In addition, its components are perfectly even, while wooden beams can have problems with this. However, sheathing such a frame is more difficult - a screwdriver and special screws are required.

In general, the arrangement of the frame in this case is identical to how a similar structure is created in the case of plasterboard walls. In this case, the step between the guides should be approximately half a meter. You can read more about the arrangement of the frame in other articles on our site.

As for the installation of panels, this can be done diagonally, horizontally or vertically. If you choose the latter option, you must start from the top corner. The design is assembled according to the tenon-groove principle. At the same time, in the case of a wooden frame, the lower part of the groove is fixed with small nails, and with a metal frame, a kleimer is mounted on this part of the plate, which is screwed with self-tapping screws. At the same time, the kleimer itself does not interfere with the tenon-groove design to assemble as tightly as possible.

In this case, the uppermost edge of the top panel and the lower (usually trimmed) edge of the bottom panel are fastened with nails or self-tapping screws. Attachment points can be hidden by skirting boards. In addition, corner places are also trimmed with strips or corners, the color of which matches the color of the MDF panels. Therefore, purchase these items immediately, so that there are no differences in color. You can attach them to the same liquid nails or silicone-based sealant.

From the name of particle boards it is already clear what they are made of. Sawdust and shavings are joined by hot pressing. Raw materials for production are taken from woodworking waste (most often these are hardwood and coniferous species). All natural ingredients are held together by synthetic resins and formaldehyde. The latter is dangerous to human health. Poor-quality plates can contain forty times more harmful substances than the environmental standard allows.

The smell distinguishes a good stove from a bad one. If you feel a sharp unpleasant odor, then you have a poor quality product.

Now such boards are being 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 and means that you have a board made of medium density wood fiber. It is distinguished by a more even texture, since particles so small that they look like dust are used in the manufacture.

These particles are held together by carbamide resins, the formaldehyde content of which has an acceptable level in accordance with the European class E1.

We compare the basic characteristics

Strength

For chipboard, this indicator varies in the range from three hundred to six hundred kg / m3. It depends on the group of plates and their quality. In MDF, the spread is not so large: from 720 to 870 kg / m3. This means that the second type of boards is more durable and dense, so that in conditions of high moisture, MDF adequately show itself and sometimes even surpass some types of wood.

Surface appearance

Chipboards are distinguished by a relief surface, so scrupulous grinding is required to apply any coating, otherwise the appearance will not be very aesthetic.

MDF immediately after manufacturing have a perfectly smooth surface and 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 for the manufacture of elements or frames hidden inside furniture.

Due to its malleability, MDF is more often used to create interesting design facades. No chips, graceful curves and intricate patterns: MDF boards are an aesthete's dream.

Pros and cons

If you carefully read the article, you should have come to the conclusion that MDF definitely took the lead. But each type of plate has something to brag about.

Chipboard classification

Sometimes on the plates you can see symbols that do not seem obvious at first glance. Let's take a look at them.

By placing the stove in water for 24 hours, manufacturers determine which of the three classes it belongs to:

• Moisture resistant (thickness increases 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 plates according to grade: first, second and without grade. Even a plate of the first grade may have flaws, but the lower the grade, the more there are.

In addition to the above, chipboard is distinguished by the degree of grinding, by what technological process was used to obtain the final product: extrusion or lamination, and also by the size of the chips used.

MDF classification

These slabs also differ in what technology was used. Whole-pressed - these are plates, so to speak, without frills, such as they are. Laminated 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.

In appearance, MDF is divided into:

• Covered with a thin layer of veneer.
• With a glossy polymer surface.
• Painted.

1. Available. You will find boards in any store, and the assortment will be very wide, since the number of factories, both domestic and foreign, that manufacture chipboard is huge.
2. Price. These plates will be affordable for everyone. Even with all its shortcomings, chipboard remains the first in sales in the furniture market.
3. Moisture resistance. This criterion applies to laminated boards.

1. Difficulties in repeated use. If you often move or for some other reason you need to disassemble the cabinet, be prepared for the fact that the second time the screws will hang out in the holes. Use glue or sealant to fix them. Chips may also appear.

1. High resistance to moisture and high temperatures. Even in the event of a flood, such slabs can retain their original shape for several hours.
2. Convenience during repeated use. No chips or problems with re-drilled screws.
3. High density and strength. At the same time, the thickness of the plate varies from 4 to 22 mm.

1. High price. It is at least one and a half times higher than that of chipboard. And if you choose a plate with a decor or a special coating, then even higher.
2. Softness. On impact, a dent may be left.
3. Easy flammability.

In conclusion, it is worth saying that each of the plates is good in its own way. The buyer needs to focus on his own taste, calculate the possibilities of the wallet and choose what best fits into the design of the room. Perhaps you should look at a compromise option when furniture frames are made of chipboard, and beautiful original facades are made of MDF. The cost will be average and there is a place for a flight of fancy.

Angelica Bondar

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MDF differs from alternative materials in a number of advantages:

PRICE

The cost of MDF boards is at least 60-70% cheaper than natural wood.

PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS

MDF, despite its lower cost, surpasses natural wood in terms of physical and mechanical characteristics, since MDF is devoid of heterogeneity of properties and internal defects of wood, such as knots, cracks, and the hardness of MDF is higher than the hardness of the most commonly used wood species.

MDF warps much less, has a higher density, and such an indicator as "variance in thickness" is practically not applicable to MDF.

MDF is characterized by a uniform distribution of properties throughout the body of the plate

The strength of MDF is 1.8-2 times higher than the strength of chipboard. The strength of MDF is ensured not only by the use of synthetic resins, but also by the participation of natural binders in the interfiber interaction (lignin)

MDF has a swelling coefficient many times lower than chipboard

MDF boards have a minimum difference in thickness and sheet dimensions

MDF does not lose its shape with a sharp temperature drop

MDF does not crumble

MOISTURE RESISTANCE RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS

Due to its high moisture resistance, MDF is used in the production of kitchen furniture and bathroom furniture. Under the influence of steam, MDF furniture does not warp.

MDF very well tolerate the effects of kitchen steam - they do not swell or warp

HIGH LEVEL OF THERMAL INSULATION PROPERTIES

In terms of thermal insulation properties, 12 mm MDF boards are equivalent to a brick wall 150 mm thick or a reinforced concrete panel 260 mm thick.

HIGH LEVEL OF SOUND INSULATION

MDF boards have a high level of sound absorption

TECHNOLOGY THAT GIVES SPACE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DESIGN SOLUTIONS

MDF is easily laminated and veneered, thanks to a perfectly flat, unlike chipboard, surface

MDF is easy and economical to paint, thanks to a perfectly flat hard surface, which, compared to chipboard, absorbs paint less, which reduces its consumption.

MDF is suitable for surface embossing, which is not possible for chipboard

MDF is suitable for milling edges, corners and surfaces, which is not possible with chipboard. This allows you to give MDF parts a wide variety of shapes and greatly expands the possibilities of their application.

MDF is suitable for the manufacture of curved surfaces, which is also impossible for chipboard. The technology for bending MDF blanks is similar to the technology for manufacturing bent products from natural wood and plywood.

MDF, due to its high strength, holds furniture fittings much better than chipboard.

MDF will be indispensable in cases where high density rates are required for attaching hinged structures.

ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY

MDF, despite the lower cost, is close to natural wood in terms of environmental characteristics

MDF is more environmentally friendly than chipboard due to low formaldehyde emission - it is recommended to use it for the manufacture of children's furniture, kitchen furniture.

HYGIENE

MDF is resistant to various fungi and microorganisms, which makes MDF products hygienic and safe in everyday life.

FIRE SAFETY

MDF is difficult to ignite

for half a century, panels such as MDF have been very popular. MDF panels are produced by pressing wood dust or shavings. Basically, this type of panel is used exclusively for decorative walls or ceilings. Thanks to this finishing material, each person will be able to finish their living quarters quite qualitatively and inexpensively. But in each case, the first step is to first familiarize yourself with all the advantages and disadvantages of MDF panels, and only then determine exactly the choice of finishing material.

Advantages of MDF panels

MDF panels are exclusively natural and environmentally friendly natural material. If we compare it, for example, with chipboard panels, then MDF has a higher degree of environmental friendliness. And that's all, because during the production of chipboard panels, various epoxy resins or phenol are used. Therefore, this type of finishing material is made absolutely from natural materials and substances that are not able to emit harmful substances and have a detrimental effect on human health.

Thanks to such a beautiful appearance, MDF panels began to be used not only for finishing walls or ceilings. They were also often used to mask various telephone, television or eclectic cables.

An important 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, then there is absolutely no need to additionally insulate or isolate the room. And this, in turn, helps to save money.

Another distinguishing feature of the panels is that they are quite easy to install and maintain. Almost every person can finish the walls on his own, if he knows how to handle some working tools. And caring for MDF panels is even easier, just wipe the surface of the walls or ceiling from time to time with a damp cloth and use any special tool.

They produce MDF panels in a fairly diverse range of colors, which allows each person to choose something suitable for themselves and create an individual design in the room.

Disadvantages of MDF panels

If we compare the disadvantages and advantages, then this type of panel has very few of them. The main disadvantage that many people have noted is the heavy weight. But the weight is not so heavy that two people can handle the installation work. In addition, special respiratory masks will also have to be used during finishing, since during installation a large amount of dust accumulates in the air, which settles on the lungs.

To fix the panel with nails or screws, you will first have to drill the desired hole for this and only then fix it.

MDF is the initial letters of the English expression Medium Density Fiberboard. The technology that is now used in the production of MDF is a refinement and improvement of the technology that was used for the production of fibreboard - fiberboard, made from the smallest fractions of sawdust. In the production of MDF, the wood fibers are dried, bonded and formed into a board, which is treated with 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 with high temperature. No harmful resins and phenol are used in the production of MDF. Based on the foregoing, we can safely say that MDF is an environmentally friendly material. Among the main advantages of MDF are:
- a sufficient level of softness, thanks to which MDF is very easy to work with the finest, which makes it a favorite material for furniture makers and designers, as it allows you to realize the most daring 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 cheaper.
- the service life of MDF products is many times longer than the service life of solid wood products.

As a disadvantage of furniture MDF, one can name the unsettled production of this material in our country.

As already mentioned, MDF is used in many areas, but in the furniture industry it is used especially actively and there are many reasons for this. In the production of furniture, mainly solid wood, fiberboard (wood fiber boards) and chipboard (chipboard) are used. All these materials are practically unsuitable for painting.

Wood is an excellent natural material, easily amenable to the most delicate processing, but it does not tolerate moisture, dries out and cracks. Under the varnish, cracks on the wood are not noticeable, but under the paint, especially under the light one, they will instantly catch your eye.

Chipboard (chipboard) is a fairly strong material that is excellent for painting, but does not tolerate moisture and cannot be milled. Fibreboard (MDF) is a very thin material, is processed with great difficulty, does not tolerate moisture, and does not lend itself to uniform coloring.

Furniture MDF lends itself perfectly to the most delicate processing, milling and grinding. MDF furniture can be perfectly painted. Finished products from furniture MDF do not warp, crack or dry out. MDF, having all the positive qualities of a tree, is completely devoid of the disadvantages that a tree is inherent in: 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 childcare facilities, hospitals and in those premises that require a high degree of protection from the external environment. MDF furniture is a versatile material, therefore it is widely used for the manufacture of furniture for offices and for the home, it is used to make doors, countertops, window sills, floors, plinths, suspended ceilings, packaging, containers, toys for children, school supplies and much, much more.

Separately, it should be said about the advantages of furniture MDF, 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 exposure to moisture and steam, does not crack and does not change shape, mold and mildew do not form on it, the structure of MDF boards allows you to cut beautiful rounded corners.

MDF furniture is often covered with a film of polyvinyl chloride, the resulting material is called laminated MDF. The PVC film will allow MDF boards to reproduce any color and shade, up to the structure of the tree. MDF laminated costs a little more. It is worth noting that furniture facades made of oak, pine or beech cost sixty percent more than facades made of laminated MDF. And this despite the fact that constant exposure to moisture makes wood unusable, and laminated MDF is not susceptible to its effects, so it will serve for quite a long time.

MDF boards without exaggeration can be called the most promising material of the twenty-first century. Its positive qualities lie not only in high environmental performance, affordable price and versatility, but also in the raw materials from which it is produced. MDF can be made from low grade wood.