What is MDF? The Ultimate Guide
Our Ultimate MDF Guide:
Of all the modern building and construction materials available today, wood panel products are arguably amongst the most versatile and cost-effective. The timelessness of timber combined with more uniform compositions makes materials like plywood panels highly useful in a range of construction applications.
But as our specialists here at Cabinet Timbers know all too well, all of the different wood panel products used today come with their own unique qualities and characteristics. A good woodworker understands how best to process their selected materials to get the strongest results from any finished product. And considering we’ve already shared our ultimate guide on plywood, we thought it was about time that we answered another age-old question relating to one of our other popular materials: “What is MDF?”
As your local building materials supplier, we’ve got all the information you need on MDF to determine whether this material is the right selection for your next woodworking or construction project. Read on for all our expert insights into MDF, ranging from how it’s made to how you can cut, paint, and install this versatile wood material with great success.
Here’s what we’ll be covering in our MDF guide and to learn what is MDF today:
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What is MDF?
MDF board or medium-density fibreboard is a type of wood panel product that’s manufactured using wood fibres. Unlike plywood which is constructed using timber plies or layers, MDF board typically uses repurposed wood dust fibres that are then bonded together using a heat-treated formaldehyde resin and applied pressure. This process makes MDF denser and stronger than other similar wood fibre materials like particle board.
As MDF uses wood dust fibres, the manufacturing of this material aids in reducing production waste at timber mills. In this regard, MDF boards are considered to be a sustainably produced wood product – so long as the materials are manufactured at timber mills that are in partnership with sustainably managed forests like all of our suppliers here at Cabinet Timbers.
How is MDF made?
MDF is made by first gathering wood dust fibres. This typically involves processing wood logs through chippers and chip hoppers following the debarking process. The chip hopper is designed to filter produced wood chips to ensure they’re cut down to uniform sizes. Any chips that are too large are collected to be sent through the chipper again, and any chips that are too small can then be used as fuel for the mill. This practice is foundational to all sustainably operated timber processing plants.
Once the chips have been collected, they’re then washed and heated or steamed to ensure they’re soft and malleable enough to be ground into a wood pulp and then rapidly dried into a fine and lightweight fibre. Once this next phase has been completed, the application of resin and subsequent heat treatment and tempering process turns our fine wood fibre into a uniform ‘mat’ of fibre and resin in a rolling machine that’s called a ‘pendistor’. This ‘mat’ is then sent to a hot press that’s designed to heat set the resin, transforming our fibre mat into a solid plank of newly manufactured MDF.
Check out our full write-up on how MDF is made for a detailed step-by-step overview of this unique production process.
What is MDF used for?
As MDF is denser and stronger than particle board, this wood material is used for a wide range of different construction and woodworking applications. Here are just some of the more popular use cases for MDF:
- Cabinetry and shelving
- Doors, interior panelling (wall and ceiling lining)
- Acoustic panelling
- Trimming and moulding
- Flooring and platforms
- Joinery
- Retail displays and fitouts
- Furniture production
Due to the dense composition of MDF, it can be a less malleable material for furniture production than other alternatives like plywood. As a result, MDF is primarily used to produce simple furniture with straight edges, like tables and chairs. MDF is a popular material with flatpack furniture producers, as it provides high-strength components at minimal production costs.
MDF also possesses minimal moisture resistance properties, and as such, it isn’t advised for outdoor applications like external cladding. In these applications, both marine-grade plywood and exterior plywood are likely to be more suitable materials which is detailed between our MDF vs Plywood comparison.
The different types of MDF
Although MDF generally isn’t water-resistant, considered waterproof or flexible, there are actually a few different types of MDF that have been developed to possess these properties. To elaborate on what is MDF, these are the main types of MDF we offer here at Cabinet Timbers:
Standard MDF
Standard MDF possesses all the baseline characteristics of MDF that we’ve outlined thus far. Its dense composition ensures that standard MDF can be easily painted, cut, machined, and drilled without risks of splintering or chipping.
Moisture Resistant (MR) MDF
Is MDF waterproof? No, but it can be moisture-resistant. Moisture resistant MDF (or MR MDF) uses special resins with improved moisture resistance. Despite being more moisture-resistant than standard MDF, MR MDF is still not suitable for exterior applications and is better suited for use in high-moisture interior environments (i.e. kitchen, bathroom, or laundry cabinetry). It’s common for MR MDF to be used in the production of moisture and mildew resistant melamine boards and sheets for modern kitchen, bathroom, and laundry spaces.
Fire Retardant MDF
Alongside being manufactured to achieve a group 1 fire rating AS/NZS 3837 – 1998, fire retardant MDF is designed to be a high-density material with a defined surface and screwable core. The fire retardant properties of these materials are also not impacted by cutting or sanding, making fire retardant MDF an ideal material for interior cladding, joinery, and even structural supports for built infrastructure like multi-floor properties and elevator systems.
Bendy MDF
As its name suggests, bendy MDF is an MDF product which can bend around curves. This makes it a suitable material for curved laminate displays, organic-shaped furniture, joinery, and retail fitouts.
All of the different types of MDF board we offer are available at standard, pre-cut sizing, or cut to custom specifications. Speak with a member of our team if you’d like more information about our MDF cut-to-size services.
Working with MDF: cutting and painting
Thanks to its largely uniform composition, MDF can be easily cut and painted so long as the correct processes are used. Thankfully, learning what is MDF and more importantly how to cut MDF correctly to minimise risks of damaging your MDF boards isn’t too dissimilar to learning how to cut plywood.
The best tip we can provide is that MDF cannot be cut easily by hand, so put your Stanley knives away. Due to the high-density makeup of MDF, however, using extra sharp blades is vital to avoiding splintering or other types of damage to your boards. Using a circular saw or table saw is preferable for this reason, but a jigsaw can be used if you’re looking to make curved cuts.
As for the best methods for painting MDF, it’s wise to begin with ensuring the surfaces of your MDF boards are smooth and ready for easy paint application. Sanding is key here, as is the application of primer coats to ensure your painted MDF maintains its fresh colour over the long term.
How to select the right MDF for your next project
If you think MDF may be a good fit for your next construction or woodworking project, then hopefully our guide has aided you in identifying the right type of MDF board for your unique needs. For home renovations or commercial property developments, fire retardant MDF and moisture-resistant MDF are guaranteed to be cost-effective construction materials that are also highly durable and high-performance.
For furniture makers looking to experiment whilst keeping production costs low, bendy MDF and even standard MDF are guaranteed to be great investments for your workshop. Our specialists here at Cabinet Timbers can also work with you to determine which MDF sizes and types are the best investment for you.
Why use Cabinet Timbers as your trusted MDF supplier?
At Cabinet Timbers, we believe that quality materials are foundational for quality results. That’s why we make efforts to ensure that our range of MDF boards delivers only the highest quality materials at reasonable price points. When you shop our range of MDF, you can be rest assured that you’ll receive the materials you need to do your project justice – whether you’re looking to secure fire retardant MDF for interior panelling or moisture-resistant MDF for kitchen cabinetry.
Alongside offering quality MDF boards at some of the most competitive price points, all of the materials we have on offer here at Cabinet Timbers are also sourced from sustainably managed forests thanks to our partnerships with local manufacturers like Austral Plywoods and CarterHoltHarvey. All of the MDF boards and other wood panel products available to order at Cabinet Timbers have also been manufactured in accordance with EWPAA product certification requirements for additional quality assurance.
Secure quality MDF and other timber products from your local suppliers here at Cabinet Timbers. Explore our full range of MDF boards or check out our wood specials for added savings today.
Have any more questions about what is MDF or about our range of MDF products? Then be sure to contact our friendly team here at Cabinet Timbers by phoning (03) 8353 2222 today, or by filling out our web enquiry form.
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