MDF vs Solid Wood
4 scenarios in the Cabinet installation business
MDF vs Solid Wood
4 Typical scenarios in the Cabinet installation business
Scenario 1.
You have to supply a customer with a painted kitchen and they are determined to use wood. You know that mdf is a superior product but you don’t know how to explain this to your client.
Scenario 2
You have been working with wood for decades and you don’t want to change materials. You keep hearing about MDF but are uncertain about switching materials.
Scenario 3
You are getting calls from past clients complaining about cracking paint on the kitchen cabinet doors you installed last year.
Scenario 4
You are quoting a job and the client only wants solid wood doors that are to be painted. You know this is a mistake but you don’t know how to explain it. You feel it is your job to let all homeowners know what is the best material to use but you just can’t find the right words.
Is this you?
We may have some answers.
We have been solving problems for home improvement professionals since 1992. We will explain some of the attributes of MDF vs Real Wood so that you can help you and your clients the right decisions.
BEST WOOD FOR CABINET DOORS
We are not knocking wood! Solid Wood has been used for ever and has many attributes. It is not engineered but is strong. It has a unique ascetic, can be customized, and tends to last a long time. There are many styles of wood and it looks great. In sum, it is one of the best materials around for an infinite amount of applications. Including many natural finishes. That said it is not ideal for everything.
This brings us to one of the applications where wood is not the best choice. Painted Doors.
Wood Movement
The main shortcoming of wood is that real wood moves. It expands and contracts as the climate changes. As a result it tends to crack and warp with changes in temperature and humidity. IIn a solid wood door with not paint these cracks are mostly unnoticed. Small cracks on a painted door are very noticeable.
This makes it tough for painted jobs where the finest crack can make a really negative impact on the cabinets ascetic.
To address this the industry started to look at engineered wood products. Engineered wood products have been around for over a century and MDF is one of those products. Depending on who you talk to it was invented in the 1960s or earlier. It was likely invented to find some use for wood shaving bi products. In any case its properties, including being incredibly stable, and made with much lower moisture content eliminates many of the challenges of painting a wood door.
AN EVOLVING INDUSTRY
MDF and the Cabinet industry
In response to the trend towards more painted cabinets MDF has become the choice for higher end kitchens in North America. MDF has been used for decades in the high-end European and North American kitchen renovation markets. In North America it has mostly been used in Canada and some parts of the United States. Like many trends in the kitchen industry MDF use started in Europe then came to North America. In both Europe and Canada it followed a familiar pattern; It was introduced to a skeptical group of professionals who then adopted it as the material of choice for painted cabinet doors.
9 Reasons MDF is the best choice for Paint Grade Cabinet Doors
In sum many in the industry think it is the best product for painted doors. They cite:
MDF does not expand and contract like wood
Painted MDF doors do not crack
Less Prone to Warping
There is no grain telegraphing because it is made of such small fibres.
No visible seams at the joints
Because it is engineered it has few imperfections.
It does not splinter on the edges
No extra work piecing together frames like a 5 piece wood shaker.
It is much easier to customize
Why has MDF become so Popular?
When MDF entered the market it was often seen as weaker and inferior to wood. Wood was seen as the material and use and not one wanted to suggest wood to their clients. The reality is both have their benefits but MDF outperforms when it comes to painted doors.
Why is MDF so popular?
MDF It is ultra smooth.
It primes beautifully. The primer soaks right in.
Its consistent throughout.
Its a recycled material
The consistency allows for the easy machining
Temperature and Humidity. Because it is engineered it does not expand and contract like wood.
Its readily available in panel sizes that are larger than wood.
What is MDF wood?
Medium density Fiberboard is engineered from the wood bi-product (sawdust and shavings) of industrial milling. The shavings are allowed to dry, then they are mixed with resin and wax, and then formed into panels. Over time it has become known by its acronym “MDF”.
Why is MDF Good?
It is an engineered product with high structural integrity. It is stable, versatile and has been continuously improved for over 5 decades.
Unmatched dimensional stability.
Versatility for shaping and custom cutting.
Ultimate correlation between thickness and hardness
Continual improvement in manufacturing technology.
Some commonly asked questions
Still having a hard time convincing your client that MDF is the right choice for their new painted kitchen? Here are some commonly asked questions...
Particle Board vs MDF?
Particle board is typically used in cheaper furniture and other applications.
MDF is made of small wood fibres. (almost like flour). Particle Board is made from larger coarser fibers.
Particle Board fibres are large so have a tendency to to chip out when routed.
Particle Board is not recommended for any areas with high humidity
I’m worried about expansion and contraction. Should I be using MDF?
While MDF is manufactured from real wood fiber it is a highly engineered product.