Resistant and durable MDF, with milled edges, also available in painted version, which can be easily repaired? Or cheaper chipboard, processed into equally beautiful models, but not as solid? Both are suitable options, depending on the conditions in which you will use the furniture and the available budget. Find out more details about each of the options to choose the right one.

The choice between MDF and chipboard is quite popular among customers looking for furniture. The two materials are quite similar in appearance to determine surprise at the price, quite different in value. This is why it is important to know some of the technical details that clearly differentiate the two options.

What is MDF and what does chipboard mean

Both MDF and chipboard are part of the category of wood derivatives and chipboard and are obtained by hot dry pressing, from wood scraps, mixed with resins that act as a binder. The similarities stop here, because:

• The chipboard is made of sawdust, and the MDF is made of wood fiber from which lignin was extracted, with a wool look, which gives it a much finer look;
• Chipboard is glued with synthetic resins that release formaldehyde, and MDF contains non-phenolic urea or lignin resins, which make MDF an environmentally friendly product.

Chipboard and MDF thickness

Both products are available in variants of 6 to 38mm, from which you will select depending on your preferences, budget, but also the degree of load to which the furniture will be subjected. For example, for the kitchen it is good to opt for a thicker version, especially for the bodies in which you will keep the dishes. Also, thicker plates are generally used for the fronts, and for the back of the cabinet, if not exposed, a thinner material.

The most used chipboard versions are the 18mm ones, and in the case of MDF boards, the 18mm and 22mm options are preferred for veneers.

Raw chipboard, boxed, melamine or veneered

Depending on how the surface is finished, chipboard can be divided into:

• Raw chipboard — is the unfinished plate, which can be used for spaces where it is not exposed to the eyes, such as the back of a closet;
• Cassette chipboard — chipboard, covered with a layer of plain colored paper or printed with a pattern. It looks good, but has low resistance over time, especially in environments with high humidity;
• Melamine chipboard (glossy or matte) — is the most suitable chipboard for furniture, offering both a variety of colors and textures, and a much better resistance over time (melamine is a thin plastic film that provides better protection of the material );
• Veneered chipboard — has the appearance of natural wood boards by applying veneer of various essences, on the surface of raw chipboard.

Painted, wrapped, melamine or veneered MDF

Four main methods are currently used to finish MDF boards. Of these, the paint offers the highest level of resistance to the action of water vapor and high temperatures.

It is made by applying primer and enamel, quite similar to the process of painting a car and is the best option for those who are thinking of MDF kitchens. In addition, grease stains are easier to clean from painted MDF kitchen furniture, and if scratched, it can be easily repaired.

Is it a better solution than wooden kitchen furniture? Definitely yes, for the simple reason that MDF does not expand and contract as easily as natural wood essence to the action of water vapor.

For living room, office and bedroom you can opt for wrapped MDF. Wrapping involves applying a PVC foil, by gluing with adhesive, and offers a variety of finishing options (glossy, semi-glossy, glossy, matte, 3D, etc.), but the finished product is more sensitive to the action of moisture, and if scratches can not be repaired.

Another option is the melamine MDF variant, obtained by applying a layer of decoration and a top layer of melamine over the rough board, thus creating finishes of different colors and textures, which can easily imitate wood fibers. It offers more resistance than wrapping, but does not exceed painting in terms of durability in the bathroom or kitchen.

If you want MDF furniture with a classic look, similar to solid wood, you can opt for a veneered MDF model, with a thin natural wood board applied on the outside.

You also have at hand the variant of milled MDF , with profile processing, similar to those used on wood, and which can not be made on chipboard.

Edge versus milling

The much denser structure of MDF boards, with fine particles, allows the milling of the edges, obtaining a very fine and pleasant-looking surface, which is difficult to deteriorate over time. When it comes to chipboard, however, the edges must be covered with heat-resistant foil or abs, which will come off over time, especially if it is not glued properly.

If you have to choose chipboard or MDF , take this into account, especially if you have a wood grinder that you can use yourself to retouch any scratches on an MDF edge.

Lifetime

When it comes to sustainability, in the competition MDF vs. PAL, the first to win detached. MDF is more resistant to moisture, high temperatures, scratches, screwing and bending, and its well-pressed structure is less prone to crushing. It is good to know that chipboard furniture, glossy or matte, is also sensitive to UV radiation, not being suitable for outdoor spaces. Another variant with high resistance is the wooden PFL.

When choosing chipboard or MDF, it is good to keep in mind that a damaged element in a chipboard furniture body will be easier to replace than one made of MDF. The reason is quite simple: chipboard is cheap and popular, which is why it is available in stores, in larger quantities and in several color and format variants.

Costs

If the choice of chipboard or MDF is strongly influenced by a limited budget, you will fit better in a small amount with a chipboard option, which is currently one of the cheapest materials for furniture. The costs for the raw material reach in this case approximately 25RON / sqm.

MDF is significantly more expensive, but don’t forget that it compensates with durability, which means you won’t have to spend money too soon to replace damaged furniture.