MDF is an abbreviation for a type of engineered wood. The full name is Medium-Density Fiberboard. MDF consists of thin panels made from wood fiber, resin and wax. When it comes to engineered wood, MDF is often considered a level above plywood. It is denser, stronger and more durable. For these reasons, it has almost as many applications as solid wood.

Many homeowners tend to look down on MDF Wood with the perception that it performs poorly when measured against solid wood. But as we mentioned in the beginning both solid wood and MDF Wood have their good and bad points. There are situations where MDF is the superior choice.

Why Choose MDF Board?

In homes, MDF Wood is mostly used in constructing cabinet doors. In fact, solid wood cabinets will opt for MDF doors. There are several reasons for this.

1. MDF Wood does not warp or crack. MDF, like wood, expands and contracts when there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity. But unlike Wood, MDF does not warp. This is because the board, thanks to its structure, moves as a unit. Even with extreme changes in humidity and temperature, you do not have to worry about any damage to the cabinet doors.

2. MDF Board is made from very fine particles meaning that it does not have noticeable grain. This results in a better and smooth finish especially when the board is painted. If you plan to get the cabinet doors painted, we would highly recommend MDF over solid wood.

3. Easier to customize. Cabinet doors come in a wide variety of styles. There are shaker-style cabinet doors, flat paneled doors, inset doors, raised doors and many more. The ease of customization of MDF boards is to thank for this variety. Because of its structure, MDF Board can be cut and drilled in many different ways without any damage.

4. Some boards have better water resistance. If you plan to use MDF Board in high moisture areas like the bathroom, you can get MDF boards that have been specially made to be highly water resistant.

5. Available in larger sizes than solid wood. If you have a project that demands a large piece of wood with no joints, MDF is the recommended choice.  Take a look at the similarities of MDF to solid wood at Wellborn Cabinets.

6. Finally, MDF is often cheaper than solid wood but it is still as strong and can last quite long with proper maintenance.

On the downside, MDF Board gets easily scratched and cannot be repaired after this. This is unlike wood that can be sanded down to eliminate any damage on the surface. Additionally, MDF Boarddoes not do very well when exposed to extreme heat as the core materials can get damaged. This is why MDF Board is not a good material for outdoor furniture.