There are a few areas where MDF should never be used – kitchen or bathroom cabinets and trim in the bathrooms. These are the two areas we see the most failure because of moisture.
Because it consists of such fine particles, MDF doesn't hold screws very well. 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.
Health issues with MDF board
Because of the health hazards MDF presents, the U.S. government passed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act in 2010, which sets limits on how much formaldehyde home products can contain—in this case, a max of 0.11 ppm (parts per millions).
Less warping issues
Unlike solid wood, MDF will remain strong in areas where there is high humidity and moisture. This is because MDF is able to consistently shrink and expand without the different parts of the grain working against each other.
What Is The Concern About MDF? Formaldehyde: What Are The Health Effects? Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can result in cancer, including nasal and sinus cancer and leukemia. These cancers take several years or decades to develop (usually 10-15 years).
MDF board is a timber product made from hardwood and softwood fibres that are glued together with wax and a resin adhesive containing urea-formaldehyde. Both wood dust and formaldehyde are Group 1 carcinogens.
If the concentration of MDF dust was >5 mg/m3, the risk of irritation and allergic symptoms in the respiratory system increased. The respiratory health of the employees with atopic allergic history exposed to formaldehyde and MDF dust should be monitored closely.
The material is often bound together with a urea formaldehyde resin, although formaldehyde-free boards are now also available. Despite rumours to the contrary MDF has not been banned in the USA (or anywhere else), nor is it likely to be. The USA in fact uses more of it than any other county.
These VOCs can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and nausea. Dust produced during manufacture is harmful to breathing: Dust produced during the manufacture of MDF is harmful to breathing. This dust can contain harmful chemicals, such as formaldehyde.
Compared to real wood MDF will have a shorter lifespan, with around 14 to 20 years the standard.
MDF is commonly used for shelving in closets and cabinets because it's inexpensive and smooth. But MDF isn't as stiff as plywood and will sag over time. So when I use MDF shelving for heavy loads, I simply beef it up with wood.
MDF is a high grade, composite material. It is made from recycled wood fibers and resin. It is dried and pressed to produce dense, stable sheets. Because of this process, MDF does not warp or crack like wood.
This wood-glue mixture that makes up MDF (Mixed Density Fireboard) typically has too much glue to be particularly attractive to termites. But, termites have been known to nibble on MDF but not much more beyond exploratory behavior. Presumably, the high glue content in MDF repels termites to some degree.
MDF made with UF may emit formaldehyde gas for months or years after it is manufactured. Over the last few years it has become more common for manufacturers of MDF to: Lower the amount of added formaldehyde in the UF resin.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is generally made of wood dust and 10% formaldehyde resin as the binder. It gives off about 0.11 parts per million (ppm) of formaldehyde, the very top end of what is allowed by California's CARB 2 limits.
At this month's TUC conference Roy Lockett, deputy general secretary of Bectu, said: 'MDF is the asbestos of the Nineties. It is carcinogenic. It causes lesions. It damages the eyes, the skin, the lungs and the heart.
Now back to the main point, is furniture made from MDF safe? The answer is now a simple one; yes, it is! If the amount of Formaldehyde is controlled during the manufacturing of MDF, it still would emit Formaldehyde but in truly negligible amounts, much smaller than the scientifically proven safety threshold.
Wearing a mask is highly advised as the dust particles produced contain formaldehyde which is a know carcinogen. If possible, always cut MDF in a well ventilated area and wear suitable masks to cover both your nose and mouth, as well as your eyes.
Not only is it an irritant to throat and nose, but the dust is incredibly powder-like and invasive. However once the work has been finished, either with paint it seems that MDF dust ceases to pose a risk.
Best used for indoor projects, MDF is a great option for your next light carpentry project. We've used this material for several different projects around our home. In fact, all our baseboards are MDF wood.
In addition to being safe, MDF is also very sustainable and environmentally friendly. Because MDF is constructed primarily from wood fiber, many wood shavings and other portions of the wood that might normally be discarded can instead be recycled into MDF production.
It is vital to ensure you keep your MDF cabinets dry. If exposed to a pronounced amount of liquid or moisture, they could become soggy and begin to disintegrate. At Deslaurier, our MDF comes with a 20 year warranty. But, if cabinets are properly maintained there is no reason they shouldn't last over 25 years.