MDF wall panels: prices, catalog of photo ideas and main technical characteristics. MDF panels. Types of MDF panels and their scope of application What are MDF wall panels made from?

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboards - fiberboard medium density) - a product of wood origin, formed by pressing wood fibers using organic binders under high pressure and temperature conditions.

MDF board has a homogeneous dense structure, due to which it is significantly superior to natural wood in terms of mechanical processing capabilities.

For the production of MDF boards, as a rule, low-grade wood and wood processing waste (chips, slabs) are used. The resulting product fully complies with all necessary requirements to a modern structural material - it is environmentally friendly, durable, easy to mill and other types of machining.

In addition, MDF board is convenient for applying various decorative films or gluing with natural veneer.

Thanks to these qualities, MDF board serves as an ideal material for implementing non-standard design solutions. The use of this type of board is becoming increasingly widespread, so MDF can safely be called a material that holds the future for the furniture and woodworking industries.

Compared to similar building materials, MDF boards have a number of advantages:

easily exposed machining- allow the production of slabs with decorative panels by sawing out corners;
environmentally friendly due to the absence of synthetic substances;
the ability to apply a variety of decors to the slabs;
excellent sound insulation properties;
hygiene, resistance to fungi and microorganisms.
moisture resistance - do not swell from water, do not warp from steam.

- in comparison with plywood:

absence of internal and external defects (veneer overlaps, fused and falling out knots and holes from them, cracks, etc.);
perfectly flat surface and minimal deviations in sheet length/width;
does not warp under the influence of steam;
more favorable price.

- in comparison with natural wood:

uniform density throughout the thickness of the slab;
absence of “natural” defects (knots, voids, changes in fiber direction, etc.);
possibility of special surface treatment and embossing;
resistance to various fungi and microorganisms;
60-70% cheaper.

- in comparison with chipboard:

possibility of milling edges and surfaces;
high environmental friendliness (can be used for the manufacture of children's furniture);
holds better furniture fittings, thanks to higher strength;
higher quality surface for lamination;
high moisture resistance (can be used in production kitchen furniture and bathroom furniture);
the possibility of using as a basis for the manufacture of bent elements (facades, partitions, etc.);
retains its shape during temperature fluctuations and does not swell under the influence of steam.

Comparative characteristics of chipboard and MDF

Name	Chipboard 16mm	MDF 16mm
Density kg/m3
Bending strength MPa
Tensile strength perpendicular to the plate face
Swelling in thickness over 24 hours,%
Specific resistance to pulling screws out of the plate for a thickness of 10-30mm, N/mm
Specific resistance to pulling screws out of the edge for a thickness of 10-30mm, N/mm

Areas of application of MDF

High technological and physical-mechanical performance, environmental friendliness and reasonable price ensure the growing popularity of MDF boards in various fields of application. MDF is devoid of one of its main disadvantages natural wood- heterogeneity of properties and natural defects. Unlike plywood, MDF warps significantly less, has greater density and less variation in thickness. Compared to Chipboard board MDF has greater strength and density, a smoother surface and high moisture resistance.
The convenient format and wide range of MDF thicknesses allow it to be widely used in both furniture production, and in construction.

Types of MDF processing:

Sawing
Drilling
Milling
Bonding
Varnishing and painting
Lamination and lamination
Veneer, plastic, etc.

MDF is actively used in the construction industry, replacing more expensive wood-based materials.

Providing high sound absorption and thermal insulation of rooms, MDF is successfully used for the manufacture of wall panels, partitions, doors, and various materials for interior decoration.

Due to its high density, MDF is an excellent material for the manufacture of joinery, laminated floors, and moldings.

Minimum thickness variations have made MDF especially popular for leveling walls and laying subfloors.

Type of application	8 mm.
Bent parts for interior decoration
Manufacturing of window sills
Construction moldings (plinths, cornices, plinths, platbands, plinth strips, etc.)
Subfloors
Wall panels
Ceiling panels
Leveling the walls and preparing them for finishing
Partitions in office and residential premises, creation of arches, columns and other interior elements
Thermal and sound insulation
Production interior doors With decorative relief
Production of doors (for finishing with decorative film, veneer or painting, etc.)
Laminated floor coverings
Lathing roofs of houses, second layer for insulation of roofs of premises
Steps, railings and balusters of internal stairs, seats, shelving

MDF board is an ideal material for the manufacture of furniture: cabinet, kitchen, office, as well as non-standard furniture and commercial equipment.

MDF is widely used for manufacturing furniture facades, furniture moldings, countertops. Due to its high strength, MDF holds furniture fittings much better than chipboard.

High moisture resistance and resistance to temperature fluctuations allows it to be used in the production of kitchen and bathroom furniture, commercial, medical and laboratory equipment.

Possibilities various types processing of MDF significantly expands its use in the construction and development of furniture design.

Type of application
Production of furniture (cabinet, kitchen, office, children's and non-standard)
Drawer bottoms and cabinet backs
Furniture moldings (elements of the frame structure of facades, etc.)
Profiles for furniture frame facades
Production of furniture facades for PVC cladding, veneer, painting
Bent parts for the production of furniture, commercial equipment and interior decoration

Part of the room where the walls are decorated with MDF panels

Making MDF wall panels is similar to making fiberboard, but the difference is in the application of the structure base material, which affected the distinctive properties of MDF panels. If during the manufacture of fiberboard chips were used, compressed under high pressure and with the addition of adhesive components, then wood dust is used for the production of MDF panels, which is also compressed under high pressure, but in a vacuum. The substance lignin is used as a binding element for MDF, which firmly glues small wood chips.

Characteristics of MDF wall panels

The composition of MDF panels is indicated by their very name, or rather the abbreviation that denotes the initial letters of the name of the material in English - Medium Density Fiberboard, which translates as “medium density fiberboard”. By the way, the German name – Mitte Dichte Fazerplate also “does not graze the rear” and is translated as “medium density Fazerplate”. As you can see, both names in foreign languages lead us to the abbreviation MDF and indicate that the panels were first manufactured in Western Europe.

MDF panels

The very structure of MDF panels gives them some elasticity and makes it possible to give a rounded shape to the walls when finishing rooms and building facades. This is, perhaps, their advantage over natural wood, although in other respects they are not inferior to it, and if we look at the pricing policy, then MDF panels are much cheaper than their wooden counterparts.

To decorate the interior of residential premises where there is no high humidity, panels are used, the surface of which is covered with paper that imitates various building materials such as various types of wood, stone, marble, etc. When covering walls in bathtubs, toilets, kitchens, balconies, in a word - Wherever the humidity is high, MDF panels are used, the outer layer of which is laminated, that is, covered with a moisture-proof PVC film.

A very important characteristic of them is their simple metal processing, which uses the same tools as for wood. They can be easily cut with a hacksaw, can be drilled, milled, and if you set the task and use special cutting tools, you can make decorative patterns on the surface of the panels.

Types of MDF wall panels

In practice, when decorating walls with MDF panels, the following types are mainly used:

Stacked (slatted) MDF panels.
MDF tile panels.
MDF sheet panels.

MDF panels

Rack panels are available in sizes 150x2600 mm (narrow) and 250x2600 mm (wide). Wide panels are more practical for installation, but have small locks of only about 2 mm, while narrow panels have locks up to 10 mm in size. In this regard, it is convenient to fasten wider panels using special clamps, and narrower panels using a stapler. By appearance they can easily be confused with similar ones, however, the latter have standard dimensions of width 250 and 375 mm, length 2700, 300 and 6000 mm, which significantly visually determines their difference from MDF panels. Besides, plastic panels have others performance characteristics and more expensive.

MDF slatted panels

The typesetting panels have different colors and design solutions, allowing them to be used for wall decoration both in the interior and for facade walls. And the type with a moisture-protective film applied to the surface expands their scope of application to walls in bathrooms and kitchens. Installation of MDF panels is carried out on wooden and specially profiled metal sheathing. With this installation method, there is no need to finish the walls for installing the panels and, in addition, the resulting space between the wall and the panels can be filled with insulation or hidden electrical wiring or communication cables there.

MDF tile panels

MDF tile panels

MDF tile panels are similar in quality and color to slatted ones, but differ from them in standard sizes, which range from 30x30 cm to 95x95 cm. This variety in size opens up space for individual creativity, allowing you to create patterns of various themes and colors. In appearance, tile panels resemble tiles, but only larger in size. Therefore, they are most often used for finishing bathroom walls using the laminated version. Installation is carried out using special glue, and the tile panels are connected to each other using locks located along the edges. The option of installing MDF tile panels using lathing is also possible.

MDF sheet panels

MDF sheet panels

MDF sheet panels are specially designed for finishing walls in rooms with high humidity: in baths, kitchens, swimming pools and laundry rooms. In the manufacture of panels, super-moisture-resistant MDF is used, covered with a layer of melamine, onto which a pattern imitating tiles or marble is applied. Thanks to this, they are worthy competitors to ceramic tiles. Surface " artificial tiles» is easily renewed with a soap solution and can last for several decades.

The sizes of sheet panels are available in the following frames: height 2070, 2344, 2440, 2800 mm and width 695, 1035, 1220 mm. This size of sheets facilitates their quick installation, which can be accomplished even by a non-professional in this matter in a few hours. Installation of MDF sheet panels is easy and quick in a few hours on the sheathing or simply glued to a flat wall. The gaps between the sheets are closed with plastic slats or filled with sealant.

Methods for decorative processing of MDF panels

There is also a classification of panels according to the method decorative processing Among which are the following:

veneering;
coloring;
glossing;
3d MDF panels.

Veneering of MDF panels

This method of decorative processing consists of applying a thin sheet of veneer up to 3 mm thick, consisting of natural wood species, to the surface of the material. Thus, the panels resemble real wood in color and texture.

Painted and glossy MDF panels

Panels with a special coloring agent applied to their surface are used in the manufacture of furniture. The paint, spreading over the entire surface, smoothes out all irregularities, creating the effect of penetrating color. The surface after painting can be matte, glossy, pearlescent, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow depending on the angle of incidence of the light.

The glossy state is achieved by laminating the surface with a high-gloss transparent film. Glossy panels have a modern and stylish look, “illuminated from within.”

3d MDF panels

3d MDF panels

3D panels for walls can be considered new in the production of MDF panels. The new technology allows you to create a certain relief, give the material a retro look, introduce any drawing or photo into the surface texture, and create various highlights. This effect is achieved by repeatedly painting the panels to create relief, followed by lamination or veneering.

Pros and cons of MDF panels

The panels have the following characteristics in their favor:

Good moisture resistance of laminated panels.

Excellent heat and sound insulation, especially if insulation is placed in the sheathing space.

Environmental friendliness and durability.

Ease of installation and machining.

Easy to dismantle if necessary.

Low cost.

Decorative finishing of walls and ceilings is the final stage of renovation of premises in a house or apartment. The range of building materials for decorating surfaces is huge - from bulk mixtures for plastering to sheets, panels, roll and tile materials. Among this variety, MDF panels stand out for their extraordinary characteristics, which is what attracts consumers.

What are the panels made of?

Decorative wall cladding with MDF panels is fundamentally different from other methods of working with finishing coatings:

Compared to wallpaper, plastic or slabs decorative foam MDF panels for walls are a rather hard material, in addition, the surface of the panels is covered with a laminate, which allows them to be washed with any cleaning agents and detergents;
Replacing MDF panels is much easier than re-pasting wallpaper or repairing tiles, since the main method MDF installation– on a wooden frame using special clamps, so disassembling the structure is not difficult. If you use special glue for MDF panels, it will be almost impossible to disassemble them;
Unlike plastic, thin wallpaper or ceramic tiles, MDF panels retain heat well and serve as a good sound insulator, which adds advantages to its operation;
The range of colors, textures and textures of panels is very wide, so decorative wall panels will fit into any room and support any interior.

The basis of MDF is wood, and the structure of the panel resembles a sandwich of several layers - load-bearing, protective, decorative and structural. Despite the complex composition, production from waste from the wood processing industry (wood dust) makes the products cheap and accessible, and the use of modern technologies makes them strong and durable. The initial and final materials differ in their characteristics in favor of the panel - the products become durable, flexible, moisture-proof, good performance sound insulation, light weight and at the same time easy to cut, saw, drill, etc. Compared to similar materials - chipboard, fibreboard, OSB - the panels are made without the addition of phenol and other synthetic resins, so they can be used to decorate any premises, including children's and medical rooms.

Pressed wood dust mixed with paraffin and lignin is pressed under high pressure and at high temperatures, and the resulting semi-finished product is covered with melamine coatings with different textures and different colors, which not only diversifies the design, but also makes the panels durable and protected from mechanical damage - scratches, impacts, etc.

Types of products

All existing options The panels differ from each other only in design, color, texture and size: the manufacturing technology remains the same. Design can be divided into several classes that define what MDF panels are and what they are made of:

Veneered panels are made with veneer applied as the penultimate top layer, protected by a laminate. The veneer has the texture of natural wood, but the cost of the products remains the same;
Laminated products are more popular than other MDF options, since melamine as the last layer makes the surface protected from mechanical damage and moisture resistant. Such MDF panels can be installed in rooms with high humidity - in the kitchen, toilet, laundry room. The range of textures and colors here is much wider than that of veneered products. In addition to protection with melamine film, such panels can be covered with a high-gloss film, which makes the visual perception of the lined surface original and even respectable;
Painted MDF panels are covered acrylic paints, therefore they have the widest range of colors, but such products cannot be made with wood texture.

The final choice of MDF design depends on the room in which it will work. decorative finishing from panels. Laminated products are suitable for domestic premises of any purpose, veneered ones are suitable for premises with high traffic, so that the walls are protected from accidental damage.

Panel sizes

The standard size of MDF of any structure and design is 260 mm length and 200 mm width. If you have accurately calculated the required number of MDF boards according to the height of the room, then they can be cut to size for you in the store. If you prefer personal control, you can cut panels at home in different ways: with a hacksaw, manual or electric jigsaw, grinder, on a special machine such as a tile cutter. Also in the store you can immediately assemble a monolithic MDF board of any size.

Panel thickness, mm	Product length, mm	Panel width, mm
10,0	2800,0	2070,0
10,0	2620,0	2070,0
12,0	2800,0	2070,0
12,0	2620,0	2070,0
16,0	2800,0	2070,0
16,0	2620,0	2070,0
18,0	2800,0	2070,0
18,0	2620,0	2070,0

You can often see panels on sale custom size, which depends on the manufacturer’s equipment. Therefore, when choosing a particular room design and panel texture, do not forget to check the dimensions of the products so as not to make a mistake when calculating their quantity:

Standard MDF has a length of 2600 mm; sizes 2400 mm or 2700 mm are also available. With the same width of the panel, it is easy to recalculate their total number, and for standard premises with a ceiling height of 2500-2600 mm, the length of the products does not matter;
The range of width that a slab can have is 150-900 mm, sometimes 1200 mm. The wider the product, the fewer seams there will be on the wall surface, and such a surface will be perceived more naturally. But for narrow, long and small rooms, a panel with a width of 200 mm is usually used;
The thickness of MDF ranges from 3-30 mm, and veneered products can have a thickness of up to 60 mm. A variety of sizes allows you to use MDF for any room.

How to install panels?

The easiest thing after wallpapering is installing MDF panels, and this is another plus that persuades consumers in favor of this finishing material. Working with panels is a pleasure, it is a very simple and fast process. We have already listed the tools for cutting and installation, and every home has it. With a length of just over 2 m, MDF is easy to transport home, and shop cutting makes transportation even easier.

Choose your tool based on cutting capabilities and results:

The metal hacksaw has a fine tooth, which is very good, since the edge of the panel will not be torn. But you will cut longer with this tool than with a hacksaw. It is recommended to use a metal blade if you need to precisely adjust a certain area of the surface;
Grinder with a disc for wood: the disc should be with fine teeth, but there will be a lot of dust. Therefore, it is more suitable for a private courtyard;
Electric or manual jigsaw: With a jigsaw you can cut MDF anywhere, especially since it can be connected to a vacuum cleaner to collect dust. Hand jigsaw recommended for the same work with corners, turns or niches as a hacksaw. Even if there is a slight inaccuracy when cutting, special decorative corners for MDF panels are used to hide uneven joints;
A lathe, metal scissors or metal sharpening are used rather by amateurs, since there are usually other tools available. Moreover, the machine can easily cut only a thin plate - no thicker than 3 mm.

A little about how the installation is done: the panels are connected to each other by a tongue-and-groove system, and for fastening to the wall, either special fastenings are used - clamps, or clips, or even simpler - small shoe nails or self-tapping screws. The clamps are spaced from each other at a distance of 30-40 cm if the panel is attached directly to the wall, and at a distance corresponding to the width of the sheathing. This covering allows, if necessary, to easily disassemble the desired section of the coating.

The sheathing is made from wooden slats with a cross section of 1.5 x 4 cm or 2 x 4 cm, and is used if the wall is very uneven. MDF can be attached to a flat surface with liquid nails, or (if the wall is made of foam concrete, wood or other soft materials) straight to the wall.

https://youtu.be/qzZWWa7gayE

How to bend MDF?

There are often areas with curved surfaces, and such places need to be decorated with curved panels. How to bend them? There are bent products on sale, but the bending radius of the finished product does not always fit a specific place in the room. Therefore, they bend panels at home, and very successfully. True, for bending you need to take the thinnest slabs, always for painting (other panels may crack), but the difficulty will be the same - to choose the same color.

To bend correctly decorative panels, you need to make a template with the required bending radius. Any available materials are suitable for this - metal profile, plywood, plastic, etc. The main thing is to give the products the desired radius of the circle, which should correspond to the radius of the surface to be decorated.

MDF is softened before bending, but not with steam or water, as is done with plywood or cardboard, but by impregnation with alcohol compounds - glue, solution, just alcohol. Aqueous solutions will cause the MDF to swell, and it will no longer take its previous shape in terms of thickness and cross-sectional configuration. The glue is applied with a notched spatula, the alcohol is applied with a swab. After this, the bar is applied to the template and fixed for a day.

Most people are accustomed to the fact that MDF panels are an attribute of finishing of various office premises. And all because they are familiar with almost one of their varieties - lining - slatted panels.

Moreover, not so much with the appearance of the panels themselves, as with the way they are laid: vertically or horizontally, less often - at an angle. Such MDF panels often do not differ in the variety of textures: they are mainly imitation different varieties wood And this is unlikely to be appropriate in most living rooms or bedrooms. Therefore, in our houses and apartments, MDF panels are either used extremely rarely, or are used in hallways and on stairs.

Meanwhile, such discrimination most likely occurs from a lack of information or imagination and design abilities among potential consumers. The video we bring to your attention can radically change the situation.

Application options for MDF panels

Non-trivial approaches to the use of the mentioned slatted MDF panels, plus the use of other forms of this material, can radically change both your attitude towards it and the interior of your home.

What is an MDF wall panel, and what types does it come in?

We will not describe the material itself much, and we are doing this generally for those who were inspired by the video at the beginning of the article to become more familiar with the material. MDF is wood dust (waste from the woodworking industry) compressed under high pressure. Absolutely harmless materials, most often wax, are used as a binder. This distinguishes the MDF panel from chipboard, OSB, laminate and other similar products in the manufacture of which phenol-containing adhesive compositions are used.

In appearance and production method, MDF resembles chipboard (chipboard), but has more high density. Of course, without a decorative coating, this material is unattractive. It is in the types of coatings that the main difference between MDF panels lies. The cheapest varieties have a paper covering with a pattern applied to it, the more expensive ones are covered with wood veneer various breeds wood or laminated, coated with various types of polymer compounds, etc.

Slat panels, as a rule, have locks along both sides for mutual joining. Some types of panels are also equipped with a locking part at the ends - for merging panels along the length, but this is rather exclusive.

MDF panels are also produced in the form of square or rectangular tiles. When laid, they resemble tiles.

They look impressive with a successful combination of colors or decorative design seams. As a rule, such tiles have a decent thickness. It is the combination of thicknesses, along with color, that will help create a certain 3D effect, which is especially fashionable now.

MDF panels for walls are also available in the form of thin sheet coverings large sizes, resembling laminated fiberboard, but often having a texture that provides a complete visual, and sometimes tactile, imitation of natural materials used in the construction or decoration of walls.

In general, MDF is such a malleable material in terms of texture formation that when using it, you can imitate almost any shape - just remember furniture MDF facades. Paradoxically, they can also be used in wall decoration, imitating their cladding with expensive type-setting panels made of valuable wood. Moreover, it is now construction market a great variety of 3D MDF panels are presented.

Sometimes, even watching various options decoration of premises for various purposes, you would not realize that these unusual and beautiful things are made of MDF.

From MDF to lately began to produce entire interior elements with special, initially specified characteristics. For example, such as kitchen aprons. It is clear that these coatings are used under special conditions:

high humidity;
fat deposits;
difficult temperature conditions;
usage of various compositions chemically active cleaning agents;
impact resistance;
UV resistance, etc.

And this is far from full list conditions that such a specific MDF panel must meet. But modern polymer materials make it easy to implement these requirements.

Installing an MDF apron

Sheet MDF with imitation tiles should also be listed in a separate line. It is clear that such panels have water-repellent properties so that they can be installed in places where natural tiles are usually laid - in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, etc.

With all this, MDF panel is a relatively inexpensive material, in any case, much cheaper than those coatings that it imitates so successfully that sometimes even a very picky viewer will not notice the difference.

Installation of MDF panels and use of accessories

There are a great many varieties of MDF panels, and there are also a lot of ways to install them on the wall. Let’s begin our consideration and analysis with the most traditional one – laying over wooden (or metal) sheathing.

This method is more often used when the walls are very uneven or the room needs to be soundproofed. Most of the so-called finishers who do not delve into the physical features of the proposed type of work, in the desire for easy additional income, loudly declare the simultaneous insulation of walls with this installation method, but we want to warn you against this rash step. It is possible to lay heat-soundproofing materials under MDF panels only on interior walls. By insulating the exterior from the inside, you move the dew point inside the room, which often leads to moisture condensation on the inner surface of the wall, with all that follows from this, negative consequences both for the wall itself, and for the same MDF panels (if they are not moisture resistant), and for the insulation, and for your health in the end.

As for the installation itself on the lathing, it is important to follow a few simple rules:

use slats with a cross section of at least 20? 40, and metal profiles of appropriate configurations and metal thickness;
level them;
make the distance between the longitudinal slats no more than 450 mm, and for non-slatted MDF panels - according to their sizes;
provide reliable fastening lathing to the wall;
use reliable methods of fastening the panels to the sheathing - preferably using clamps.

Despite the versatility of MDF corners that come with MDF slatted systems, we recommend using plastic ones, which are attached to the same liquid nails. Remember that the “native” corners are the most vulnerable element of the entire MDF slatted system in terms of damage.

Review of MDF panels and corners

It would be interesting to use plastic guides for installing MDF panels. quick installation for PVC panels.

You can also use accessories from plastic wall panels of appropriate thicknesses and colors or special aluminum profiles.

The use of such accessories will be especially interesting when decorating walls with MDF tiles.

The abundance of colors and textures of plastic skirting boards produced today also allows you to simply and tastefully decorate walls made of MDF panels. The use of wooden accessories in the design of joints between planes of MDF panels is also quite interesting.

We don’t see any particular need to separately describe the process of installing ceilings from MDF panels - it is no different from installing these panels on walls using lathing.

Tip: MDF panels are paper-coated; after installation, they can be painted with some colorless polymer varnish. This will radically increase their service life, because even a mark from a marker can be wiped off with a damp cloth from such a coating. Also, after this treatment, the coating becomes washable.

TO smooth walls We would still recommend gluing MDF systems. Modern adhesives make this process simple and even fun. We will show how this happens using the example of a video about polyurethane foam balloon adhesive Penosil. It must be said that most well-known manufacturers of polyurethane polyurethane foam have similar adhesives. They differ from ordinary foam in the absence of secondary expansion, which makes them convenient to use for such purposes.

Pasting MDF walls panels

In addition, no one has canceled the use of any other adhesives intended for the corresponding surfaces. There are also special compositions for MDF. The choice of one glue or another depends, among other things, on your habits and preferences in working with various tools.

It must be said that installing MDF panels with glue is practically the only way to use them to create complex combined interiors, coverings that fit tightly to the wall, or install large-sized MDF products without the use of through fasteners.

You can combine these two types of installation and get volumetric options finishing, which always enlivens the interior. Before gluing the panels directly to the walls, they must be dust-free and primed with a deep penetration primer.

The sufficient flexibility of MDF panels allows them to bend around rounded walls, form arcs of arches, etc.

If you have uneven walls, but you still don’t want to make a lathing for installing MDF panels, and even more so to level the wall with continuous plastering, that is, the option of installing protruding beacons from gypsum or cement mortars in the depressions. After drying, you can apply glue like “liquid nails” or any glue, incl. from polyurethane balloon adhesives. Further – it’s clear.

Quick finishing of a bathroom with panels

It is better to apply the glue continuously, but it can be applied in spots with a step of no more than 200 x 200 mm. The method of forming corners and junctions using sealant shown in the video is, in our opinion, the most interesting. You can read in detail about the properties of such sealants in

Also, we cannot fail to mention another important point related to adding exclusivity and individuality to your interior - painting MDF panels. Of course, 3D MDF panels are best suited for this.

Painting 3D MDF panels

Applying paint using a spray gun under different angles will significantly enhance the 3D effect. And there are plenty of options for your individual creativity. Chips, glitters, flocks, various fluorescent paints are just a small list of what you can use. In addition, such coating with appropriate compounds can turn an ordinary panel into a moisture-resistant one, with the possibility of using it even in bathrooms. And the absence of a compressor is not a problem if you are a regular reader of our site.

Conclusion

MDF wall panels today are one of the most convenient materials to use, allowing you to make your home or apartment an example of design art at low financial and labor costs. And the most important thing is that you can work with it without the involvement of finishing specialists.

Dear readers, if you have any questions, please ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)

Tracing paper from the English Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) in Russian differs from the original. So, MDF means medium density fiberboard. And in our country the letters MDF were given the following meaning: finely dispersed fraction or micro wood fiber. It is noteworthy that these values only partially reflect the properties of this material.

Fiberboard, which has an average density, is considered an excellent and inexpensive substitute for natural wood. At the same time, over the years of production, manufacturers have improved not only the composition, but also found optimal sizes, which allow the very wide use of MDF.

Each manufacturer, naturally, indicates that MDF is an environmentally friendly material. The main proof of this is that wood derivatives and natural binders are used to produce MDF. In terms of composition indoors.

A few words about MDF:

Types of MDF

Medium density fiberboard is considered a derivative of fiberboard. The main difference is that MDF has a protected surface.

Depending on how the finishing was carried out, there are three types of this material:

Laminated MDF. The front side of such a panel is covered with PVC film. Lamination can be matte or glossy. The film can imitate the texture of wood or natural stone. The lamination process itself is possible thanks to pressing. The desired film is glued to the base under pressure. After this treatment, MDF becomes much more resistant than fiberboard to light, water and chemicals. This MDF has an interesting appearance, good performance characteristics and reasonable cost.
Veneering. A thin veneer made from valuable wood species is glued to one or even two sides of the MDF. This process is also called veneering. the material receives a number of advantages compared to other types of MDF, namely: resistance to warping, resistance to drying out, increased moisture resistance. This type of MDF - veneered - is quite expensive, it has an impressive appearance, the scope of application due to its high cost is quite small.
Painting MDF. The main task assigned to the dyeing process is to give the material increased resistance to external influences. Paint is applied manually or through automatic machines. The MDF surface can only be painted with enamel or paint that flows well while remaining elastic. This type of MDF (painted) is the most inexpensive and most impractical (unless, of course, we are talking about painting flexible MDF). Nevertheless, its use is possible even for cladding work, not only in the production of furniture.

All types of MDF can additionally be processed by milling. Special machines are able to give the material the necessary relief, adding decorativeness to it. And now about the most common types of this material and their use.

Photos of various MDF panels (plates)

Laminated MDF Veneered MDF Painted MDF

Wall panels

The easiest way is to use MDF in the form of panels. The manufacturer produces this material in such a way that installation on the wall can be done quickly even by non-professionals. The design of MDF wall panels is as follows: one side has a ridge, the other a groove. Additionally, the panels can be fastened with staples or glue.

The advantages include:

beautiful appearance;
various colors;
environmental safety;
ease of use, ease of installation;
high heat and sound insulation characteristics.

All MDF panels can be classified as decorative, which is absolutely fair. They perform not only practical functions, but also decorate and decorate the space. Wall panels can be laminated, varnished and sanded.

MDF wall panels also have disadvantages. These include relatively low strength, namely easy flammability, fear of large quantity water and resistance to mechanical damage.

In general, the material has a price corresponding to its quality. And thanks to its appearance and ease of care, it is able to decorate a space without causing any problems to the owners.

At the same time, a fairly large variety allows you to choose those panels that will best suit the tasks assigned to them.

MDF lining

In fact, all MDF wall panels are lining. Modern building material It may well look like lining, for example, made of solid cedar and at the same time cost several times less. It can correct uneven walls. The latter do not need to be puttied, primed or painted.

The lining is not affected by fungus and can last for a decade. With proper installation and proper care, wall panels made from MDF lining can even be used in the bathroom. True, in this case it is worth giving preference to MDF, the labeling of which indicates that it is moisture resistant.

On the ceiling there is a lining made of MDF

Moisture resistant sheets

This material can be called universal. It is able not only to hide the imperfections of the walls, but is also absolutely indifferent to a humid environment. The only drawback that stands out is that moisture-resistant MDF panels, like any others, somewhat reduce the space of the room. In general, it is an environmentally friendly material that resembles plastic in its characteristics.

Glossy panels

Such panels have found application in furniture production. Doors and side walls of cabinets are made from them. The MDF surface is protected by a glossy layer, which allows us to talk about increased service life and a stylish exterior.

Glossy MDF panels can be coated with:

polyester,
primer.

The latter belong to the category of high gloss (acrylic). This means that the appearance of the material is even more noble and the quality is improved. The acrylic surface of MDF is a perfectly smooth, mirror-glossy surface. After special treatment, the panels become resistant to scratches and moisture.

Perhaps the main disadvantage of all conventional MDF panels is that they bend poorly. And lining walls with curves with them is quite difficult. Apparently, manufacturers, having studied the market, came to the conclusion that it is precisely these materials that are in short supply.

Flexible MDF

Already at the manufacturing stage, the manufacturer made sure that it would be easy to create arched and any other structures from his material, and make high-quality and beautiful furniture.

Flexible MDF panels can be used in two versions:

Single layer MDF. The sheets are attached to the frame using glue.
Double layer MDF. Its parts must connect to each other.

The indisputable advantages include the fact that flexible MDF is produced only with smooth surface. This allows the material to be painted, veneered, and decorated.

Kronospan

Kronospan is MDF, high-density chipboard. This series produces 10mm thick laminated floor coverings, wall panels, the material from which cabinet doors are made, including for children's walls and even table tops. The price of the material is relatively inexpensive and, despite its significant advantages, it deserves high praise.

The difference between MDF and other wood-containing materials

Modern construction at the stage of cladding and decoration practically does not involve the use of real wood. Instead, everything that contains its waste is actively used. In the production of furniture, at least those designed for the mass consumer, there is also no place for real wood. Instead, here and there, for example, chipboard is used.

What is the difference between: chipboard, MDF, plywood, furniture board, lumber, veneer, you can watch the video:

What is better: chipboard or MDF and how they differ

Chipboard is sawdust that is pressed together with formaldehyde resins.

This material has a number of differences from MDF, the main ones are listed in the table:

However, it is worth noting that chipboard is a fairly strong and water-resistant material that can hold nails under load.

The difference between chipboard and MDF

But laminated chipboard (LDSP) is a sanded material that has a facing film. This is what makes laminated chipboard similar to MDF. The film is made of paper and melamine resin and it significantly increases the wear resistance of laminated chipboard.

If you compare this material with MDF, the main differences will be as follows:

MDF is easy to process and is used even in luxury construction. But laminated chipboard has an increased degree of protection from harmful influences, which allows it to be used in kitchen and bathroom cladding, as well as in the production of furniture for these premises.

Which is better solid wood or MDF?

Often MDF can be used where solid wood can also be used. These materials, while fundamentally different, also have common features. The main one is that MDF can be used for facades, for example, a kitchen wall. Moreover, now it is one of the most popular materials in furniture production.

Solid wood, especially cedar, oak, and ash, is used extremely rarely when creating furniture sets. The first thing that prevents the use of such wood is the high price. Secondly, wood is a very heavy and sometimes capricious material.

If you compare MDF and array, you can create the following table:

MDF	Solid wood
Environmentally friendly material, which also has a fairly wide variety of colors	Absolutely environmentally friendly material, unless, of course, the tree was grown in the Chernobyl zone
Easy to clean	Requires additional care
The surface of this material can be glossy or matte	The surface has an expensive, exclusive look
Bends well, but is susceptible to damage and loses color over time	The material must not be bent or rounded. Only geometrically correct shapes can be made from an array

Both materials belong to the category of those that are resistant to moisture and proper care can look great and can last a very long time.

Veneer or MDF

Veneer can be of at least three varieties: peeled, planed, sawn. And each of them is inferior in strength to MDF.

For comparison, you can see the table below:

It is noteworthy that MDF can be veneered. And this increases it technical specifications. Both materials are used for doors and in furniture making.

Plastic or MDF

You can compare these materials only when it comes to creating panels for walls. The dimensions and appearance of plastic and MDF allow you to create practical, beautiful and durable panels. However, not everyone will be able to distinguish them by appearance.

However, the technical characteristics of the materials differ quite significantly:

Plastic can even be used for cladding furniture and doors. The material belongs to the category of universal ones and many construction workers prefer it.

Medium Density Fiberboard is modern material, which managed to embody the advantages of natural wood, quality plastic surfaces and beauty that suits many styles. MDF has a wide color scheme, can be used in various fields and at a relatively high price, the consumer receives exceptionally high quality.