What makes MDF such a popular material for kitchen cabinets is that it is a good substrate to bond to. This makes it the preeminent material for a beautiful, long lasting painted finish, as well as other alternative finishes like thermofoil or oil-based polyurethanes.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, both solid wood and MDF are equally important. While solid wood makes the cabinets strong, sturdy and long-lasting, MDF offers a smooth finish. MDF withstands changes in heat and humidity better than solid wood.
The surface is equal in hardness to oak and has similar density so they are durable as well. MDF takes paint better, and doesn't have the same seams as wood, will not crack and split the paint where would might.
Around the 5-7 year point, an MDF kitchen will exhibit significant age and wear signs. Although an MDF kitchen may be a less expensive option for a quick refresh, read on if you want something that will last!
Are MDF cabinets good quality? Medium-density fiberboard cabinets are cheaper than solid wood but can be just as strong. If you're looking for painted cabinets, using MDF will give you a smoother finish and color that lasts for a long time.
Disadvantages of MDF
Because it's so dense, MDF is very heavy which can make it more difficult to work with. MDF can't be stained. Not only does it soak up stain like a sponge but because there's no wood grain on MDF, it looks awful when it's stained. MDF contains VOCs (eg.
MDF is denser than hardwood and offers a much smoother finish with no grain. This makes MDF an ideal material for making painted cabinet doors. Due to its density and consistent structure, MDF can be machined using high speed CNC cutting tools to create a variety of different 3-D profiles perfect for cabinet doors.
The most common way to seal MDF boards is to use a drywall sealer. The material dries into a hard, sandable material and can be used on the edges as well as to fill any grooves on the surfaces.
Kraftmaid: This popular cabinet company liberally uses MDF for cabinet boxes.
In the right application, MDF can actually be better than plywood or solid lumber. MDF has great strength, does not noticeably shrink or expand with temperature, and has a uniform surface without grain or knots. It is also less expensive than plywood.
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) performs much better than real wood in at least some areas. It is a composite material of high quality. MDF is made from resin and recycled wood fibers. It is pressed to produce dense sheets that remain stable in all weather conditions.
The easiest solution is a mixture of dishwashing soap and warm water. Do not use the strong dishwashing soaps as it can be harsh on the surface of your MDF cabinet doors. Instead, use a weaker one and dilute it with one part soap and two parts warm water.
The Different Types? Most MDF can be broken down into three categories: The Lightweight MDF, Standard Grade MDF & the High Density MDF. Standard grade MDF is made up of wood fibres with a synthetic resin adhesive to form the board.
The only way to make the MDF board waterproof is to paint it. Painting the surface of the MDF board will make it resistant to moisture only if you use moisture-resistant paint, as this type of paint creates a more permanent waterproof layer on the MDF.
Standard MDF can get wet and get damaged by water and high moisture in the air just like most wood products. It does not hold up to water very well. Because of how standard MDF is made, it sucks moisture like a sponge, and will swell, distort, and almost become useless if not treated or sealed.
You can also create waterproof MDF by adding a high quality wood sealant, varnish or stain or moisture-resistant paint so that your project can withstand threats of moisture and humidity. Do not use waterborne polyurethane, as it may not bind readily to the MDF's surface.
When it comes to strength, plywood is the winner.
MDF is a softer material than plywood and tends to sag or split under pressure. That's why it's important to reinforce it if you're going to using it to build shelves or other weight-bearing furniture.
MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard, which is an engineered wood composite made up of wood fibers. Because the MDF is composed of small wood fibers, there is no visible wood grain, rings, or knots. The making of the composite uses the fibers, glue, and heat to create a tight bonding board.
Contrary to solid wood - engineered hardwood flooring is perfect for the kitchen, as it is much more durable and able to resist fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This is due to 2- or 3-layers construction, which ensures strength and stability.
As mentioned earlier, the only other time we would not recommend using MDF in baseboard applications is in high moisture areas like bathrooms. Even if water isn't directly falling onto it, MDF can slowly absorb moisture in bathrooms where 45 minute steam showers are happening more often than not.
MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard)
MDF is appropriate for many applications, from cabinetry to molding and is great for countertops because it is smooth uniform, and less prone to warping.
Thermofoil fronts are a lot more stable to MDF being used as the core; however, because of the nature of how they are made, they can be susceptible to heat. Extended exposure to a heat source will result in the plastic material peeling away from the core and discoloring.
MDF Cabinets
The other important thing to remember is to use an oil-based primer. Due to the more porous nature of MDF, water-based primers can swell the surface. Use an oil-based primer for the first coat, then paint the kitchen cabinets with water-based latex paint without worrying about moisture absorption.