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.
MDF can have a high-level moisture resistance
If your kitchen cabinet needs big pieces of wood without joints, MDF is a good choice. You can create bigger doors than those made of natural wood due to the lightweight quality of this material. MDF cabinet doors won't weigh on the cabinets.
MDF cabinet doors are made from wood fibers, resin, and wax. Think of this product as being at a level above plywood. It is durable, stronger, and denser than other forms of pressed board, so it can work in almost any application where a natural wood product would traditionally succeed.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Plywood is stronger per pound of material than MDF, meaning manufacturers don't have to use as much material to achieve the same strength. As a result, plywood cabinets tend to be lighter than those made from MDF. In addition to weight, most plywood cabinet boxes require fewer anchor screws to hold them to the wall.
Unlike MDF, which is quite soft, plywood anchors screws well. So if your kitchen cabinets have a plethora of screws and nails, plywood is the best way to go. Changes in temperature and humidity will not affect plywood--it won't contract, warp or expand even under extreme temperature changes.
It should be noted that whichever method you use, MDF is moisture-resistant, not water-resistant, nor waterproof, and is still prone to swelling and warping if in direct contact with the elements.
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.
Hardwood. Arguably the most durable material for kitchen cabinets, hardwood is solid wood. Some hardwood types, such as hickory or maple, will resist scratching and denting more than softwood species like walnut and mahogany. However, the former will cost more due to durability and overall quality.
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.
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.
For cabinet doors, we highly recommend HDF. It's durable, economical, and extremely versatile for any and all cabinet projects.
With so many pieces made of MDF, it follows that they will eventually wear down and become chipped, dingy, or just dated-looking. Fortunately, you can paint MDF and bring these pieces back to life. You can even build new cabinets, shelves, and furniture from MDF and paint them—resulting in a smooth, glass-like finish.
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.
MDF panels hold screws as well as most natural woods, but drill a pilot hole first. You also can join this wood composite with spiral grooved dowels, coated staples, and ring shank nails.
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.
No Warping
Like wood, MDF will contract and expand as a result of humidity and temperature fluctuations. However, MDF is unlike wood in that it will not warp.
When baseboard made of medium-density fiberboard sustains water damage, your best solution is to replace it. However, if the damage is not significant, you can attempt repair. MDF in its undefiled manufactured state is stable and consistent. When it gets wet, it swells and distorts.
So how do you clean them if you happen to have MDF cabinets? 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.
Of the three materials, Plywood is the best option for cheap kitchen cabinets. While you can still get nice MDF or particleboard cabinets, we would say to look for plywood. Our least expensive cabinets are plywood boxes with solid wood doors. They are quality construction for a cheap price.
The 5 best and most popular woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple. Pine, oak, and hickory are cheaper and easier to get. Cherry and maple look luxurious and cost more than the others. All 5 work well in the kitchen's hot and humid environment.