MDF or medium density fiberboard is one of the most commonly used materials in furniture these days because of the low cost and durability. Still many of the people especially the buyers don’t know about it or the ones who know they think it is a low standard. But this isn’t true. The article will tell you what MDF is and what its advantages are? So let’s begin.
What is MDF?
MDF is basically a dry process fiber board. It is made from the tiny pieces of hardwood or softwood fibers mixed with resin and wax and then pressed together to get fiber board. It can be glued, doweled and laminated too. It is very popular among school students for making the school projects due to t its flexibility. It is very good for places that have high humidity in the atmosphere as it is moisture resistant.
What are the types of MDF?
Given below are two major kinds of MDF boards that are used in the market for making furniture:
- Low density or particle board: It is made from small pieces or even with sawdust. This kind of board is cheap as well as week
- High-density fiberboard or hardboard: it is strong and slightly expensive than particle board. The process of making is more detailed and quality fiber is used in making of hardboard.
What are the benefits of MDF boards?
Given below are the main advantages of MDF boards:
- It is far cheaper than solid wood, therefore, it is an economical choice.
- It helps in saving trees as it is made from the recycled wood.
- It is very easy to paint MDF board as compared to solid wood.
- It has no knots and hence it is a smooth material overall.
- It is not prone to get infected with any kind of termites because of the chemicals that are used in making of the MDF board.
- It doesn’t expand or contract in heat, cold or humidity unlike solid wood and hence it does not develop cracks with time. It is easier to give it any shape to make elaborate designs.
- If you attach veneer to it, it looks like an original wood.
- The best thing is that if the MDF board gets wet it will get very less amount of swelling because it goes through the soak test. In the test, it is soaked in water for 24 hours before manufacturing.
- It can easily be nailed and hinges and screws can easily be used on it than they can be on grained wood because of its density. It will not split up in the process as wood does.
- It is perfect for making inset frame cabinetry as it won’t expand or contract.
- Doors and windows made of MDF board are aesthetically pleasing and beautiful.
- It is beautiful and durable and can sustain for many years. It requires absolutely no maintenance. You can clean it occasionally with a wet or dry mob to keep it looking new like always.
Like any material MDF has its downside too. MDF boards are widely available in the market at a cheap price and we easily get carried away to buy it due to the cheap rates but not all MDF boards are equally good. It is very difficult to figure out a difference between the high and low-density board. You might end up paying your hard earned money on some cheap material. The best way to avoid such situation is to do some research and then buy it only from a reputed supplier.
