MDF Board
(24 Products)
MDF board is an engineered sheet material known for its smooth finish and versatility. Favoured by large furniture manufacturers such as IKEA, MDF tends to be adopted in non-structural applications where aesthetic appearance is a priority, making it perfect for the manufacture of furniture and other items that require an unblemished end product.
We sell a huge and growing range of MDF panels of varying thicknesses from Moisture Resistant MDF to Veneered MDF.
What is MDF Board?
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is a manufactured board produced by combining wood fibres with wax and a resin binder under heat and pressure. The resulting product is an extremely strong and dense material that can be used for a variety of applications; the boards are generally denser and offer more strength than plywood or particle board.
It's also one of the most environmentally friendly materials on the market, as it is made from renewable resources. So next time you're looking to make a piece of furniture or try your hand at cabinetry, consider using MDF! You'll be doing your part to help the environment, and you'll end up with a beautiful and long-lasting product.
What is MDF Board Used For?
As a highly versatile building and carpentry material, it may come as no surprise that there are a wide number of uses for MDF.
MDF can be used as panels for walls or flooring but its primary use is in both carpentry and furniture building. This is due in large part to the fact that the material's density allows it to be easily worked with machines and because it boasts a smooth sanded surface and a precision finish.
In short, MDF is the ideal solution for the majority of domestic and interior applications.
Let's check its most common applications and internal uses:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Doors
- Windows
- Frames
- Shelving
- Cabinets
- Internal joinery
- Architectural mouldings
- Wall panelling
MDF panels are also used in the creation of shop counters and shop fittings, as well as being one of the main components used by large furniture manufacturers such as IKEA. To no surprise, Swedish furniture giant is the largest user of MDF sheets worldwide.
What Are The Benefits Of Using MDF Over Real Wood?
MDF offers many benefits, perhaps the most significant of these is that MDF sheet does not have any natural defects associated with standard wood such as knots, kinks, grains or whorls. It is, therefore, much easier to cut into various shapes and sizes without distortion or warping.
This makes for much more reliable work and saves time and material wastage during the building process.
Is MDF Waterproof?
Although Standard MDF is not generally waterproof, we sell a water-resistant version that is designed to offer moisture resistance in areas of high humidity such as the bathroom or kitchen.
It is important to stress here, that water-resistant MDF is not a waterproof board; it is merely resistant to water and moisture. Therefore, it may be best to use a different material when doing work on exterior areas that are prone to be caught in the elements.
Due to the process that goes into making it, our water-resistant MDF boards are all dyed green. This also instantly helps to visually differentiate it from the non-water-resistant boards that we sell, which are a beige colour. Water-resistant MDF is ideal for making bathroom cabinets or shelving and can be easily painted to match the colour scheme.
Frequently Asked MDF Board Questions
How Much Does MDF Board Cost?
Prices vary depending on the thickness and whether or not you are looking for it to have water resistance. We have MDF for sale at some of the best prices you will find online, for delivery straight to your door.
What Are The Differences Between MDF Wood & Plywood?
As a supplier of many sheet materials, we are often asked to compare MDF to other sheet materials.
MDF is an excellent material for use in furniture and most indoor applications, due to the way it has been made. It is easily workable with machines and tools and is especially useful in carpentry and cabinet making.
Plywood, chipboard and OSB don’t have the smooth finish of MDF and are not as pliant or easy to shape into furniture and shelving.
Here are some more considerations:
- It is generally more cost-effective to build with MDF rather than plywood
- MDF's smooth surface makes it ideal for painting and decorative finishes
- MDF is consistent and easy to work with - cut edges run smooth and won’t splinter
- Due to the smooth edges, you can use a router to form decorative edges and detailed designs (such as scrolled or scalloped designs) with simple use of a scroll saw or jigsaw
Can MDF Be Painted?
MDF can indeed be painted and it is very versatile in this regard, which makes it ideal for furniture and carpentry products. It is a major reason why furniture giants like IKEA make such use of it in their products.
The best way to paint MDF is to first coat it in a solvent-based primer of your choice, as this will help the paint adhere to the surface. Once this is done, you can then add the paint - easy.
Is MDF Fire Resistant?
There are particular types of fire retardant or fire-rated MDF boards on the market but standard MDF and the water-resistant MDF which we sell do not fall into that category.
Fire-rated MDF is used in internal non-structural applications and is given a safety rating based on how fire-resistant it is.
It is often used in wall linings, display panels and partitions. The majority of MDF sheets for sale will not be fire-resistant and if this is what you are looking for, we suggest that you examine the available information carefully to ensure you are getting what you want.
Is MDF Environmentally Friendly?
Due to the fact that MDF is made from recycled materials, it is a highly sustainable material. MDF is manufactured primarily from wood fibres, shavings and other "off-cuts" of wood that usually would be discarded.
Is MDF Easy To Work With?
MDF is actually pretty easy to work with. You can cut it, drill it, and sand it just like you would with any other piece of wood. It's also easy to paint or stain. The main downside to MDF is that it's not very good at resisting moisture. If it gets wet, it can swell and warp. That's why you'll usually see it used in indoor applications.
Despite its drawbacks, MDF is still a very popular material. It's affordable, it's easy to work with, and it looks good when it's finished.
