
You may have come across the term MDF board in DIY or construction blueprints, but what exactly does it mean? This article defines the material and explains its uses.
What is an MDF Board?
The core difference between commercially available wood products and MDF boards is that the latter sheets are not layered but instead composed of little wood pieces. The composition process involves firing up hot temperatures and exerting high pressure to merge fibres from wood into a panel to make an MDF board.
The MDF board is produced without layering since it is made from shavings. The fibres are dried before being applied to the panel mix to create a smooth and durable board.
Why are MDF Boards Used?
Many contractors or DIYers use MDF boards stem of the benefits they bring over their wood product counterparts. The pros MDF has over others include the following:
- They have versatile applications.
MDF boards have few limitations in what they can be used for in woodworking projects. The materials can be applied in home economical furniture, cabinets, roofs, shelves, external assets, etc.
- MDF boards are lightweight and flexible.
These wood sheets are much more manageable, considering their weight and ability to shape easier. They can be easily transported to their desired location and flexed into curved shapes, making them preferred when projects feature arches or curves.
- They have resistant qualities to fire and moisture.
MDF boards have a range of varying resistance features against fire, moisture, sound, and mildly adverse weather conditions. Because of those qualities, they meet the necessary regulations and compliance for use in commercial development projects.
Though MDF boards are often thought of as a single unit of a wood sheet, a few different types have suitable applications for each.
Let's Define the Types of MDF Board
MDF boards come in four types - particle board, veneered, fibreboard, and laminated. We outline the details of each below, or you can view them yourself in Sheet Materials Wholesale.
Particle Board
The particleboard features a concoction of particles from wood shavings and chips with resin to make up the board. Because of their compact nature, these sheets are more water-resistant. They are inexpensive because of their widely available materials. However, they are not as durable as other types and don't have much moisture resistance in the long run.
Veneered
Veneered MDF boards feature a thin veneer of solid wood, combined with the typical MDF concoction compiled of wood shavings and other wooden residues. The purpose is to raise the strength of the traditional boards and make them more durable for projects requiring more robust surfaces.
Fibreboard
Lower temperatures are used to create the fibreboards as well as different adhesives. While they possess similar qualities to the particleboard, the fibreboard is more environmentally sound. They use eco-friendly materials such as vegetable starch and sugar cane in their build.
Laminated
Laminated MDF boards are arguably the more versatile out of the categories. These boards are layered with thin panels outside of the core MDF material and laminated to enhance the qualities of strength and resistance to adversities.
So now you understand the definition of an MDF board and its many uses, who is the best supplier?
Which Supplier is Best for an MDF Board?
Sheet Materials Wholesale features a library of MDF boards suitable for any upcoming DIY or construction project. You can view their collection here, with all the board types available at competitive prices.