When buying furniture for your home, you often face a difficult task: what is better to choose - chipboard or MDF. The slabs are very similar in appearance, the products made from them look approximately the same and at first glance there is no obvious difference. Meanwhile, there are very different differences: in terms of placement, durability and safety. And without having an idea about the features of each material, you will not be able to make the best choice.
But everything is not as difficult as it seems. In this article we will tell you how laminated chipboard differs from MDF, the advantages and disadvantages finished products. And also, you will learn what should be taken into account without fail.
And for those who don’t have time to understand all the intricacies of furniture production, at the bottom of the page there is a picture hint “Chipboard or MDF: which is better?” It indicates the main differences between furniture made from these materials and the suitable area of the apartment for placement.
So:
Chipboard and MDF - what is the difference?
laminated chipboard
Laminated chipboard, or more correctly, of course, would be chipboard, as industrialists call it, but the name without the letter “t” has stuck among the people. It is produced from waste from the wood processing industry - sawdust, by hot pressing using a formaldehyde-based adhesive resin.
The chipboard is laminated with melamine film and cut into parts. Since the material absorbs moisture well and swells, the ends of the facades are sealed with an edge. This technology allows not only to prevent water from getting inside, but also to reduce the release of formaldehyde vapor to a safe minimum.
Russian GOST, adopted in 2010, obliges compliance with safety standards and allows the use of only laminated chipboards of emission class E1 and E0.5 in the furniture industry. Moreover, this standard allows us to produce chemically safe children's furniture. You can find out more about the current regulations.
Pros and cons of furniture made from chipboard:
- Obvious advantage- This cheap price final product. Even with a modest budget, you can furnish your apartment quite decently.
- Flaw- the possibility of moisture getting between the joints of the coating. It is necessary to remove water from problem areas in a timely manner.
- And one more- the material is most vulnerable at the places where the fittings are attached. It is not advisable to frequently disassemble and reassemble furniture made from laminated chipboard. With constant screwing in and out of screws, the slab crumbles and the holes increase in diameter.
MDF
The Russian reading of the English abbreviation MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) translates as “medium density fiberboard” or, simply put, fiberboard. It is made from the same sawdust, but the same ones are used in production. fine particles. The fundamental difference is in the composition of the glue. Natural resins - lignin and paraffin - are used to glue fibers together.
The result is a more dense, durable and moisture-resistant material. Significantly superior to chipboard in terms of environmental friendliness. The plate bends well - you can give the products a curved shape. A high density structure allows you to produce beautiful carved and framed facades.
Another difference:
The process of cladding MDF is significantly different from lamination. Finishing layer applied to already finished facades, which allows you to close both the front and side parts at the same time. There is no need to seal the ends with edging material.
And one more thing:
Furniture entirely made from MDF is almost never found on sale. The most common combination options are where the body is made of laminated chipboard and the facades are made of MDF.
Features of MDF furniture
- Dignity- high moisture resistance of the slab and the absence of joints on the parts. This significantly increases the service life of MDF furniture in the bathroom, including the kitchen.
- Main disadvantage - increased cost products.
Conclusions
As you can see, furniture made from chipboard is quite decent budget option, second only in durability in some cases.
In a dry room, in a bedroom or living room, it will not lose its qualities throughout its entire service life. And taking into account the strict Russian furniture standard, it can be used to furnish a children’s room without fear for the children’s health.
Manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom furniture take into account aggressive environment premises and use reliable methods for sealing the laminated board. As a result, cabinets and cabinets look great for quite a long period. But over time, they will still have to be replaced. Therefore, in conditions of increased dampness and temperature changes, MDF furniture will last much longer.
And finally, as promised:
Chipboard furniture or MDF: which is better for the kitchen, bedroom, nursery, bathroom and other residential premises.
You can make repairs in any room using special coatings yourself. The choice of covering depends on design solution, features of the room. Today, MDF panels for wall cladding are considered the easiest to install and at the same time aesthetically pleasing material, which compare favorably with PVC and chipboard products.
What are MDF panels
Very common wood material which is used for cladding - MDF panels for walls. It is made from natural, steam-treated fibers. Its usual name is fiberboard, but Medium Density Fiberboard is an improved version of it. New technologies are used in production, so the output is more modern product with new properties. Its advantages include:
- environmental friendliness;
- aesthetics;
- strength;
- durability.
The new fibrous material is used for the production of furniture, flooring, and ceilings. The environmental friendliness of medium-density wood fiber products is due to the fact that the production uses safe resins and plant lignin to bind fibers during dry pressing of wood fibers instead of toxic formaldehyde. Finished goods can be additionally coated with varnishes, waterproof and fire-resistant mixtures.
What types of MDF wall panels are there?
Depending on the application, MDF wall panels have different thicknesses, designs and protective coatings. Most often, such products are used for interior work, cladding door designs. For different rooms with different humidity and temperature, use cladding with special protective coatings, filling. To choose the right cladding, you need to know about the features of production and use of each type fibrous material.
Solid pressed sheet
Solid pressed products - sheets with medium density, which are often used in cladding work office premises. Whole-pressed sheets are strips of fibrous material, smooth on both sides, that are attached to the frame using special clips (the main method). Sometimes glue is used for installation, but only in cases where the wall in the room is smooth and has no defects.
Laminated
The material differs from solid-pressed material by being treated with a special decorative varnish without color, which provides greater moisture resistance, durability and better aesthetic properties. However, even laminated cladding is not intended for use in damp areas or with prolonged contact with moisture. Laminated MDF is used both for cladding and doorways.
Moisture resistant
The resistance to the non-standard environment of the bathroom, shower, and kitchen of this type of product is due to its increased strength. Moisture-resistant cladding is the most durable. In addition to moisture-proof properties, the sheets are soundproof and heat-retaining. The coating, often acrylic, is not destroyed by water, so moisture-resistant products can be used when decorating kitchens and bathrooms.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of MDF wall panels?
Medium-density fiberboards are chosen because this material is easy to install even with your own hands (without a specialist) and does not require pre-treatment of the surface. All you need is a fastening in the form of a frame on which the sheets are placed. Installation is simple and you can do it yourself. Correct calculation of the size and number of stripes is half the success. The main advantages of the material also include durability and cost-effectiveness. MDF panels for wall decoration have a number of disadvantages:
- The main disadvantage of fiber boards is the fear of moisture. The presence of a water-repellent coating does not mean that they are intended to come into contact with water.
- The thickness of MDF is less than a centimeter, and its strength is less than that of drywall.
- Appearance - this type cladding is intended mainly for work areas, it is rarely used at home, more often for offices, and special water-repellent sheets on a fiber basis are used for kitchens and baths.
- Minimum fire safety– fiber boards are highly flammable.
How to choose MDF panels for the kitchen and other rooms
Manufacturers of wall cladding, such as Kronostar, Omis, Rico, have wide range products with different designs. Release material under white brick, ash, wenge, wood chips and other designs. For example, Kronostar produces fiber sheets different coatings, wood or tile surface, for covering ceilings and walls different rooms.
Before making a choice, you need to familiarize yourself with the range of medium-density fiberboards. They are produced with the following types of coatings:
- paper;
- lamination;
- veneered;
- special water-repellent.
Depending on the type and interior of the room, its humidity and lighting, the type of finishing is chosen. For example, cladding with a special water-repellent coating is suitable for bathrooms; the same sheets can be installed in the kitchen. Glossy lining is more often used for office spaces, corridors and living rooms, as it has greater density and better aesthetic properties.
Where to buy and how much do wall panels cost?
You can buy slabs at any hardware store or order by studying catalogs on specialized websites on the Internet. Often, when selling, they provide related services: they measure and cut the material to suit your order. The price of fiber boards is not the highest, ranging from 120 rubles. for 4 m2 up to 1000 rubles and more for the same area. The cost depends on the manufacturer of the material, special coating and decor.
Installation of wall panels
How to attach MDF panels to the wall? Fiberboards are mounted on a frame, usually wooden. The beams of the structure are located at a distance of 40-50 cm. It is important that the sheathing is attached evenly, otherwise the cladding may become wavy. To install the frame correctly, you need to periodically check the structure with a level. Installation of MDF panels is carried out in the following sequence:
- After processing the walls, the frame or sheathing is installed.
- The plates themselves are attached, starting from the corner of the room, using self-tapping screws.
- The first sheet is mounted from the corner, the rest are attached using special staples, which fasten the material together.
- Each subsequent strip is placed on a bracket and attached to the previous one. It is important to connect them tightly at the joints so that the facing of the room has an even appearance. If necessary, the sheets are cut to required sizes.
- Installation is carried out at a certain distance from the floor. Leave space for the baseboard. Corners are processed using a flexible corner. All components for installation can be purchased from the same manufacturer.
Video: Wall decoration with MDF panels
Today there are many materials for making kitchen furniture. Whereas solid wood, being one of the most quality species material is not available to everyone, most buyers prefer furniture based on particle boards.
90% of all furniture industry products are based on MDF boards, made from fine wood chips made from polymer resins that are pressed together under high temperature and pressure.
MDF boards are much cheaper than wood, but are practically not inferior to it in strength, reliability and wear resistance. Various models kitchen furniture They have different designs, but most of them are based on durable MDF.
What types of MDF-based kitchens are there?
In itself, this type of particle board does not represent an aesthetic value, serving as the basis for the production of cases and facades (doors) of wall and floor cabinets of modular and cabinet furniture.The main difference between the models is the external MDF covering, which can be from:
- applied coating - paint or enamel;
- plastic and acrylic;
- polymer film.
There are also kitchens made of laminated and framed MDF, which are also in demand on the market. Which furniture is best for the kitchen depends on each specific case.
Depending on the buyer’s financial capabilities, as well as the features and mode of operation of the kitchen, you can choose any of the options. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, price category and care features.
Kitchen made of painted MDF
Painted MDF is one of the popular options among buyers. The main advantage of this type of material for making kitchen facades is the wide color palette in accordance with RAL, thanks to which you can choose almost any shade of the facades according to the design idea.
Ease of care is another advantage of painted MFD, which is easy to clean and does not absorb dirt and foreign odors.
The disadvantages of enameled MDF include its rather high cost compared to kitchens made of plastic or acrylic. The paint used to cover particle boards, tends to fade over time, losing its presentable appearance.
Vulnerability to damage, as well as high visibility of fingerprints, can also be considered disadvantages of enameled MDF.
Typically, kitchens made from this material are chosen for the design of a medium-sized kitchen. price category in private houses and apartments.
MDF facades with PVC film
Facades finished with film imitating various wood textures are a fairly popular furniture option for low-rise kitchens. price segment. Low cost is perhaps the only advantage of such kitchens.
At the same time, the film gives kitchen units a rather old-fashioned and cheap look. appearance, because has no texture. Most often, such kitchens are chosen for temporary residence on site, for renting out an apartment and other conditions when an expensive option is not required.
Facades with PVC film can be safely washed using aggressive household chemicals, but you need to be careful when installing lockers in an area with high humidity and heat release. Above the stove and sink, the film peels off very quickly, making the furniture unpresentable.
Over time, the film coating of MDF facades may darken, which is also not an advantage of such furniture.
Kitchens with plastic facades
When we say “kitchens made of plastic”, in our minds they are completely made of plastic. But this idea is incorrect: in fact, plastic facades are also based on MDF, which is covered with plastic on top using a special glue. The color of the plastic can be any, and the texture can be glossy or matte.
The advantages of this type of MDF facades are durability, resistance to cleaning and detergents, moisture resistance and resistance to ultraviolet radiation.
Just like enameled MDF, fingerprints remain on plastic facades, which is one of the main problems in the operation of kitchen furniture. Plastic is more difficult to wash, which is also considered one of the disadvantages of this material.
Usually a kitchen made of plastic is decorated in a modern design style, without unnecessary details And decorative elements. The manufacturer focuses on color and texture, providing the buyer with a very wide palette of color solutions.
Kitchens with MDF frame fronts
Framework MDF facades represent textured surface, around the perimeter of which MDF baguettes are glued.
Such facades vaguely resemble picture frames, making them look very presentable, gravitating towards the classical style. At the same time this budget material, which almost everyone can afford.
Frame facades are lighter in weight compared to conventional solid or enameled MDF, but in appearance they are very close to natural wood.
Disadvantage frame facades is vulnerable to moisture and high temperatures, and with average quality of workmanship, the seam connection of the profile may be visible, which somewhat spoils the appearance of the furniture.
How to choose the right facade material
It is impossible to say in absentia which is better for your kitchen - MDF or plastic. Depending on the goals you pursue in choosing kitchen set, as well as the design and general orientation of the interior of residential premises, you can choose one option or another.
Furniture made from enameled MDF, due to its higher cost, will fit well into an interior made in classic style, being visually very similar to natural wood.
If you want to choose more affordable option for the kitchen, then plastic or film will suit you. Depending on the overall design concept, choose an inexpensive film that can imitate various textures, but if you want to create a more harmonious and expensive-looking kitchen design, choose kitchen plastic or laminated, enameled or painted MDF.
The difference between chipboard and MDF lies, first of all, in the use of different raw materials in their production. Although both types of boards belong to the group of wood-based materials, their components and production technologies are not similar to each other. The strength characteristics, environmental friendliness and structure of the boards depend on the manufacturing process.The abbreviation chipboard stands for chipboard. The material is produced by hot pressing of pre-mixed wood waste, including:
- bark;
- wood chips;
- sawdust;
- remnants of rejected products, etc.
Add to the resulting mass adhesive composition, containing resins and formaldehydes hazardous to humans. But modern technologies made it possible to obtain relatively “clean” E1 class slabs, although it is still not recommended to use them in children’s rooms. After pressing, the material is cooled and cut into pieces according to standard sizes.
Based on density, chipboard is divided into three groups:
- with low rates - 350...650gk/m3;
- with average indicators – up to 750kg/m3;
- with high performance – up to 800kg/m3.
The external unpresentability of chipboard boards is improved by sanding or lamination.
MDF in the Russian interpretation cannot be deciphered. It's just the sound of letters Latin alphabet MDF, which is an abbreviation of the phrase “Medium Density Fiberboard”. Translated from English phrase sounds like "medium-density particle board."
The composition of MDF includes fine wood shavings, crushed to the state of flour, which ultimately provides the boards with ideal smooth surface. The production process involves gluing the components using the dry pressing method. Paraffin or lignin released when wood is heated is used as a binder. This factor implies the environmental safety of the material.
Density MDF boards close to that of wood. On average it ranges from 720 to 870 kg/m3.
Pros and cons
Despite the fact that MDF is the leader in the positions discussed above, chipboards still occupy a larger segment furniture market. The main advantage of particle boards is their low price, so manufacturers continue to make headsets from this material, thereby reducing costs ready-made cabinets. Often there are combined furniture options, when the body is made of chipboard and the facades are made of MDF. This solution allows us to produce headsets with an improved design, making them more affordable for most consumers.
The advantages of chipboard include:
- availability of choice;
- pliability to rough machining;
- relative moisture resistance;
- sound and heat insulation properties.
Disadvantages of chipboard:
- formaldehyde resins cause health problems;
- “open” ends contribute to the saturation of the slabs with moisture and the subsequent destruction of their structure;
- re-screwing the screws is not possible;
- thin decorative treatment This cannot be done due to the friability of the chipboard.
Advantages of MDF:
- environmental friendliness;
- durability;
- high density;
- resistance to temperature and humidity changes;
- moisture resistance;
- maintaining hardness while reducing sheet thickness;
- more low cost compared to wood;
- smooth surface;
- possibility of performing fine decorative processing.
Disadvantages of MDF:
- high price relative to chipboard;
- lack of established production in Russian regions.
Conclusion
If the material component when purchasing furniture is not fundamental, the choice should be MDF. The material has greater capabilities and improved characteristics. The headset will help you save money while maintaining the visual appeal combined option furniture making. Namely, the body is made of chipboard, and the facades are made of MDF.
Modern materials used in furniture production, are very diverse and allow you to create your own furniture various quality and appearance. The most common materials today are chipboard and MDF. Let's figure out what their differences are and what is best for you when choosing furniture.
Chipboard is a chipboard. Sheet material for the production of which small wood particles are mixed with a binder (resin) and hot pressed.
laminated chipboard – laminated chipboard, the surface of which is lined with a special film of thermosetting polymers. At first this film looks like plain paper, which is impregnated with melamine resin, then by pressing the film is “tightly” connected to the surface of the chipboard. Thanks to this cladding, the appearance of chipboard is greatly improved, reliability, wear resistance, and resistance to chemical influences, moisture, and low temperatures increase. Since the coating limits the evaporation of harmful vapors of substances contained in chipboard, chipboard with lamination is more environmentally friendly for others.
There are many options for slab covering structures. Chipboard can be smooth or embossed, that is, imitation of the structure of the board on the surface various materials: wood, shagreen, etc. It's also possible huge amount color options: various types of wood, all kinds of background textures, metallic colors and just various colors. Thanks to its ease of processing and a huge range of products, laminated chipboard has become almost the main material in furniture production.
MDF (fine fraction) is a board material produced by dry pressing of fine wood chips at high blood pressure and temperature.
This material arose thanks to the improvement of technologies in the manufacture of fiberboard. MDF does not use additional synthetic binders. Acts as a binder natural material lignin, which is part of wood. Therefore, MDF is an environmentally friendly material.
In progress MDF production You can add special properties: flame retardancy, biostability, water resistance. MDF is used in the production of cabinets, kitchens and office furniture, so non-standard furniture, commercial equipment, doors.
MDF is also a high-tech material. Its surface is very easy to process, and MDF parts can be given the most varied and unusual shape. MDF is easily painted and laminated, laminated, can be molded, and is suitable for veneering with thin veneer, imitation printing, coating with varnishes and enamels. And MDF with frequent milling grooves bends well. Also he has high level noise absorption and sound insulation, and also has excellent thermal insulation properties.
For convenience, you can compare the main properties of laminated chipboard and MDF in the table:
| Indicator | laminated chipboard | MDF |
| Surface: | Laminated | Many processing methods - painted, coated with plastic or film, laminated, etc. |
| Possibility of fine processing: | Absent (cannot do deep milling, complex shaped parts) | MDF parts can be given the most varied and unusual shapes. |
| Strength: | Resistance to various mechanical damages | High strength of the material (superior to natural wood) |
| Environmental resistance: | Greater thermal resistance | Great resistance to moisture, fungi and microorganisms, and high temperature steam |
| Colors and textures: | Wide variety of colors and textures | |
| Price: | Average | High |
| Environmental friendliness: | Average | Environmentally friendly material |
| Flaw: | Inability to produce curved facades | Standardization of façade sizes (expensive custom-made sizes) |
Here are a few more terms that are useful to know when choosing furniture:
Fiberboard - fibreboard - a sheet material that is made by hot pressing a mass of wood fibers formed into a carpet. These fibers are obtained by steaming and grinding wood raw materials. They are individual tissue cells, their fragments or groups of wood cells. The raw materials are sawmill and woodworking waste, technological chips and firewood. To improve the performance properties, strengthening substances (for example, synthetic resins), water repellents (paraffin, ceresin), antiseptics, etc. are added to the mass. Structural elements of furniture are made from fiberboard, back walls and shelves of cabinets and cabinets, lower shelves near sofas, drawers, headboards, partitions. They are also used in the manufacture of bent-laminated parts with outer layers of sliced veneer of valuable species.
MELAMINE is a decorative coating that is resistant to water and mechanical damage.
PVC - polyvinyl chloride, synthetic material, obtained from natural products: petroleum products and ordinary table salt. It has high strength, is economical, and is universal in use. Recognized as environmentally friendly.
TEXTURE - the nature of the surface of any material, due to its internal structure, structure. Texture is perceived visually and tactilely. A longitudinal section of a tree shows its fibrous structure, and a transverse section shows its growth pattern in the form of annual rings. Texture is determined by objective physical and chemical properties material and this, to a large extent, differs from texture, which largely depends on the individuality of the artist creating it.
TEXTURE - the nature of the surface. The texture is felt visually and tactilely. The perception of texture depends on the characteristics of nature, on lighting, and in many ways differs individually from the texture of the same surface. In a figurative sense, texture is an individual handwriting. Thanks to the harmony of colors and the fact that each of them correctly correlates with the overall tone, the correct image of the material is obtained.
FACADE - front part of furniture, cabinet doors. Often, sets from the same factory differ from each other only in the design of the facades, but the cabinet bodies are the same.
ACCESSORIES - handles, latches, locking mechanisms and other devices that ensure the opening of the sashes, their fixation in any position or locking.
VENEER is a thin section (sheet) of natural wood. Of course, natural wood and furniture made of wood (solid wood) are very beautiful, but, like any material, they have their drawbacks. Solid wood is expensive and subject to changes in linear dimensions at different humidity levels, even if it has been thoroughly dried and varnished beforehand. Finishing furniture parts or surfaces with veneer is a way to make it cheaper and more accessible, while maintaining the attractiveness and nobility of the natural material.