MDF or laminated chipboard, which is better: what are the differences in kitchen furniture, cabinets, wall panels. What to choose, what is the difference and what is stronger?

What is better for the kitchen: MDF or laminated chipboard is a controversial issue. When arranging a kitchen, it is important to take into account a large number of nuances, one of which is the quality of the material for making furniture. Since not all people have the opportunity to purchase products made from natural solid wood, they have to look for a budget replacement.

The most popular materials are MDF and chipboard. At first glance they are similar, but in fact they differ in production technology and some properties. Today we will look at the positive and negative qualities of these panels.

MDF or chipboard for the kitchen: which is better?

Kitchen furniture: features

Quite often, well-known manufacturers prefer to use MDF and laminated chipboard when creating kitchen furniture. At the same time, serious requirements are placed on products installed in premises of this type - they must withstand temperature changes, high humidity and other negative influences. The materials we are considering are believed to have similar properties.

It is worth noting that most consumers consider the quality of furniture last. For many, appearance always comes first. Nevertheless, quality is a very important criterion, because the durability of the kitchen, aesthetics, and the general perception of the room depend on it.

Kitchen furniture must be reliable

In addition, kitchen furniture must remain in its original form, even despite frequent washing with chemicals and the negative effects of temperature and humidity. If the set does not meet these criteria, then in the first year the owners will be disappointed in the purchase, and the question will arise about renovating or buying a new kitchen. Of course, no one would want this, and therefore we recommend that you read this text carefully so as not to make a mistake with your choice.

Cost indicators

Considering that wood processing waste is used in the production of both types of these building and finishing materials, their final cost will be influenced by:

• manufacturing technology, which for MDF panels is more complex and labor-intensive, and, therefore, more expensive;
• brand (country of origin) - foreign analogues of the Russian “Medium Density Fiberboard” boards are more expensive;
• additional properties - fire resistance, moisture resistance, resistance to biological effects, which are determined by the specific brand and production technology;
• type, type and quality of decorative cladding (lamination).

Due to the large number of finishing options, products have a greater price range, which is determined by the type of decorative cladding. However, in general, the cost per square meter of products is higher than the price of laminated particle board.

What is MDF?

MDF was first invented in America back in the 60s of the last century, and in Russia this material appeared only in the late 90s. MDF boards are made from wood chips, ground into very small chips - it is practically split into fibers. Then these chips are thoroughly washed, excess dirt is removed, dried, and then pressed under high pressure.

As the fibers heat up, they begin to release a natural resin called lignin. It is this substance that glues the chips together, resulting in very strong slabs with a fine structure.

MDF board manufacturing process

The pressed slabs are then carefully sanded - this is done in order to remove any excess sagging from the surface. In addition, at this stage, panels of various thicknesses are formed. After which the surface of the slabs undergoes finishing treatment, which allows you to obtain a wide variety of materials for work.

Table 1. Types of MDF finishes

Type	Description
Sanded	Sand only one side of the slab or two at once. Putty and various types of paint can be applied on top of such material. This is the simplest and most common type of MDF, allowing the buyer to decide on the finish of the slab.
Laminated	A special polymer film is applied to the surface of the plate. In this way, only one side or both are processed. The film has an aesthetic appearance that imitates the structure of various types of natural wood, which is why such boards have become especially popular among furniture makers.
Veneered	A thin layer of natural wood is glued on top of the slabs, so that the appearance of such material becomes similar to natural wood. Of course, due to such processing, MDF acquires a higher cost, but greater attractiveness and nobility.
Varnish coating	A thick layer of varnish is applied to the slab, making the material resistant to moisture. However, this is not the best option for the kitchen, because fingerprints will constantly appear on the surface.

MDF kitchen set

The main advantages of MDF include the following:

1. Safety for the health of residents, because in the process of its production no harmful chemical compounds or formaldehydes are used.
2. It has good resistance to various mechanical damage.
3. The furniture is easy to care for - this material has a smooth surface that does not absorb dirt.
4. Resistance to high air humidity.
5. This material is not affected by fungi.
6. Easy to process even at home - MDF can be used to make structures of any shape.
7. You can find a wide variety of colors of MDF boards on sale, which allows each person to choose the best option for themselves.

There are a large number of MDF colors.
There are also some disadvantages of this material:

1. The obvious disadvantage is the rather high cost of the material, but it is still lower than that of natural wood.
2. Some note that when exposed to too much heat, MDF can separate into layers, so it should be protected from such negative effects.
3. Furniture does not react well to aggressive alkali.
4. Untreated surfaces have poor resistance to moisture. Thus, the material absorbs water, which is why it begins to swell after some time.
5. Scratches appear quickly on glossy surfaces, so it is not recommended to use metal brushes for cleaning. A problem that has already appeared can only be corrected by painting, and the entire surface will have to be painted.
6. Due to constant fumes in the kitchen, the varnished countertop becomes faded and matte.
7. After some time, the material will still lose its original strength, which can cause cabinet fittings to become loose.

Video - Veneer facades for the kitchen

Advantages of MDF over laminated chipboard

So, after comparing two types of wood-based boards, we can come to the conclusion that, in general, MDF differs from chipboard for the better. The advantages of MDF are as follows:

• no chips are formed on the edges, in places where screws are tightened;
• is characterized by high density and strength;
• the material is environmentally friendly;
• more resistant to moisture than laminated chipboard;
• MDF can be bent, milled, and therefore create beautiful shapes and designs.

The advantages affect the price. Typically, the cost of fibreboards is higher than that of particle boards. If MDF is combined with metal, glass, made in accordance with the original design solution, and decorated, then its price increases even more. At the same time, such furniture, whether it is in the kitchen or in the bedroom, requires more careful care.

What is chipboard?

The first chipboards went on sale back in the 18th century. Of course, they were not of high quality, but in subsequent years this material was significantly improved. This type of particle board has several manufacturing stages:

Step one: processing of natural wood and procurement of raw materials. Laminated chipboard is made from large sawdust, and then the workpiece is ground to obtain a finer fraction.

First of all, sawdust is prepared

Step two: drying the sawdust. The resulting small chips are sent to special equipment, where they are dried under the influence of air.

Drying raw materials

Step three: the raw materials go through the selection stage. Thus, only small chips go into production, and large pieces of wood are crushed again.

Sorting of raw materials

Step four: mixing with additional component. At this stage, synthetic formaldehyde resin is added to the shavings for better bonding.

Formaldehyde resin

Step five: forming the workpiece. The mixture of resin and chips enters the conveyor, where rough slabs are formed in several layers using cold pressing.

This is what the slab blanks look like

Step six: the surface of these plates is carefully sanded. In order to give the material a decorative appearance (as in the case of MDF), a special polymer film is applied to the surface.

Film application process

Next, all that remains is to cut the slabs into standard sizes. After which they are sent for sale.

The following advantages of laminated chipboard are highlighted:

1. Budget cost compared to natural solid wood and even MDF.
2. Good resistance to temperature changes and high humidity.
3. Large selection of different colors. As with MDF, chipboard has a huge variety of laminated surfaces.
4. The material does not deform as a result of mechanical damage.
5. While ordinary chipboard quickly deteriorates, laminated boards are durable.
6. The material has good scratch resistance. In addition, it can be cleaned with various chemicals.

Laminated chipboards are sold in various shades.
Among the disadvantages of the material, the following can be noted:

1. The boards are quite rigid compared to MDF, which means they are less easy to process. It turns out that it is difficult to make shaped structures from such material.
2. This material often chips at the edges during cutting, so it is best not to cut it with a regular handsaw.
3. The composition contains dangerous formaldehydes - this is the point that can negate any positive qualities of laminated chipboard.

When sawing, chips often occur.
Despite such significant shortcomings, not everything is so bad. After all, there are two types of laminated chipboard: marked E1 and E2. In the first case, 10 grams of toxic resin are added per hundred grams of shavings; in the second case, the amount of formaldehyde for the same mass of sawdust exceeds 30 grams.

Therefore, if you have already decided to use laminated chipboard to make furniture, then you should only choose the option marked E1, because it is relatively safe.

Pros and cons of laminated chipboard body material

The advantages of chipboard are as follows:

• fairly inexpensive in cost;
• covered with many types of laminate;
• endurance to the influence of high temperature;
• it is very easy to process in the manufacture of cabinet furniture.

laminated chipboard

The disadvantages include:

• strong looseness of matter;
• poor retention of screws, especially when reused;
• nails are practically not held inside the slab;
• service life is no more than 10 years.

In the manufacture of this building material, the shavings may contain substances that emit formaldehyde in moderate quantities. They are quite harmful to humans.

This modern material is produced in large factories from wood shavings. It is ground and mixed with resin. Subsequently sawn into slabs.

Which material is suitable for kitchen furniture: comparison

To understand whether it is better to buy furniture made from laminated chipboard or MDF for the kitchen, you need to compare their positive and negative qualities.

Durability

Of course, when purchasing various pieces of furniture for the kitchen, we plan to use them for many years in a row, so it is necessary to choose the most durable material. As we mentioned above, low-quality furniture will quickly become unusable, and the kitchen will have to be replaced every two or three years, which is completely unprofitable.

MDF has better wear resistance

Furniture made from MDF is characterized by the highest durability (this feature is due to the almost natural composition of this material), and structures made from laminated chipboard will quickly lose their original appearance. If you provide good care for MDF furniture, it will definitely serve you for many years.

Resistance to various damages and negative impacts

Kitchen furniture must be resistant to various impacts and other damage. Of course, products made from MDF have better resistance to wear and oil stains. However, such a surface will suffer from constant exposure to steam or any liquid, and this will become noticeable within a few years. Furniture made from chipboard is less likely to deform under such conditions.

Laminated chipboard is stronger due to the synthetic resin in its composition

Otherwise, I would like to note that furniture deteriorates and breaks with equal frequency due to various mechanical damages, so it is difficult to select the best of the two materials. Note that laminated chipboard has a higher resistance to scratches, moreover, these surfaces can be washed without fear even with strong chemicals.

Environmental Safety

The content of toxic components in the composition negatively affects human health, so this point cannot be ignored. And since laminated chipboard still contains formaldehyde, albeit in small quantities (E1), purchasing such furniture is a risk, especially if kitchen furniture is made from it. Therefore, despite the large number of positive qualities, many refuse this lumber.

Chipboards may have a specific odor due to formaldehyde

Note! We should take a short digression to understand how synthetic resin affects health. This poison affects the nervous system, respiratory organs, liver, and kidneys. In addition, the substance irritates the mucous membranes of the eyes and provokes an allergic reaction.

The use of MDF in the kitchen, in turn, does not in any way affect people’s well-being, so if we evaluate materials on this point, then MDF is clearly the leader.

Aesthetic features

The attractive appearance of a kitchen is sometimes the main criterion by which it is chosen. Here, the two materials we are considering do not have any particular advantages over each other, since the modern furniture industry offers a lot of kitchen models made from both MDF and laminated chipboard. The choice is always a matter of taste, so for each buyer the conclusion about the external attractiveness of such furniture will be individual.

An example of an aesthetic kitchen made from chipboard

But, if you want to purchase a kitchen with various shaped elements, then of course you should choose MDF - laminated chipboard, due to its greater rigidity, is not suitable for the manufacture of such furniture elements. I would also like to note that laminated chipboard has a wide variety of shades, and if you are looking for furniture in bright or unusual colors, then you should take a closer look at this material.

Characteristics of wood boards

To select the optimal material, it is necessary to take into account its properties.

Fiberboard

These products are widely used for making furniture parts. The decoding of the abbreviation - fibreboard - indicates the composition of the product. Basic material parameters:

1. Moisture resistance. This is a significant advantage. The panels can withstand severe changes in humidity, but if the impact is strong or constant, deformation and warping will occur.
2. Durability. The service life is tens of years if used correctly.
3. Safety. The products comply with all standards, so they can be used for any room in the house.
4. Easy to install. Cutting is carried out with ordinary tools.
5. Resistance to mechanical stress. This is explained by the high density of the slabs - from 750 to 1100 kg/m3.

For the production of interior items, a solid type of fiberboard with a treated coating (hardboard) is selected. This option is used for the manufacture of parts up to 6 mm thick: back walls, drawer bottoms, decorative inserts for open areas and frame fronts.

In furniture production, fibreboards are usually used in fragments, for example, perforated inserts are used for facades, and untreated fibreboards are used for back walls

MDF

Stands for "medium density fibreboard". Although the product is usually classified as a separate category, it is a type of fiberboard that is produced using the “dry” method. The material is often compared to laminated chipboard. Both options are quite popular and in demand, but MDF has distinctive properties:

• Environmental friendliness. Although the panels contain binders that may be harmful to humans, their quantities are minimal. In addition, the slabs undergo a complete decorative finishing, which eliminates any fumes.
• Possibility of processing. Due to the dense structure, parts can be cut, milled and figured without fear of damage. In this parameter, MDF differs from other products.
• Variety of decorative coatings. The surface of the slabs can be finished with PVC film, acrylic, plastic and enamel to give the desired visual effect.
• Resistance to humidity. According to this indicator, the material is inferior to the previous variety, but superior to chipboard.
• High price. This is a significant disadvantage of the product. The product is expensive not only due to its good qualities due to production technology, but also due to processing.

In the world of MDF furniture, facades with 3D textures are considered the latest fashion, but such milling can only be performed on high-tech equipment.
Like any boards for which wood is used, MDF is a fire hazardous material, but for it to ignite, the temperature must be quite high.

In the production of furniture, products with a thickness of 8 to 18 mm are used. Most often, the panels are used to create the facades of chests of drawers, cabinets, kitchen units; as a result of complex technology, it is also possible to obtain radius elements. The product is well suited for making shaped overlays and shelves for shoe racks.

Chipboard and laminated chipboard

This abbreviation stands for "chipboard". Its main difference from previous varieties is that the parts consist of a larger fraction. Although the products are widely distributed in the furniture market, they cause a lot of controversy. The fact is that chipboard contains formaldehyde resins, the harmfulness of which is undeniable. But when determining environmental friendliness, they take into account that processed slabs with safety class E1 or E0.5 are used for the production of interior items. The most popular option is with a laminated coating. Due to the cladding, the level of toxic fumes is reduced to a minimum.

According to domestic experts, the laminated coating of furniture boards blocks harmful formaldehyde fumes

Also, laminated chipboard has the following features:

1. High strength. The outer decorative layer has good wear resistance, the elements can withstand heavy loads. The density of the panel has a great influence: low-quality sheets are porous and fragile.
2. The need for special processing. Although pruning is not difficult and can be done with improvised tools, for a high-quality result you will need a special machine that performs the top cut and bottom trim. This is necessary to prevent chipping of the lamination.
3. Availability. The cost of the product depends on the thickness, cladding and strength, but it is significantly less than MDF.
4. Decorative. A significant advantage of the material is a wide range of colors and imitation of tree textures. This allows you to create visually attractive interior solutions.
5. Low moisture resistance. Due to their porosity, the panels quickly absorb water, so for areas that will be constantly exposed to moisture, panels with special protective impregnation are selected. The influence of humidity can also be minimized by using standard slabs: to do this, their edges are closed, and the front layer should not be damaged.

In damp rooms, damage to the laminating layer leads to delamination and complete destruction of the material within a year.
Chipboard is a universal product that is suitable for the manufacture of almost any furniture.

How do the plates differ in appearance?

You can notice the differences between laminated materials only by their edges. Thus, MDF has a smaller and denser structure, while laminated chipboard has rough shavings visible on the cut. On the surface of chipboard without any treatment, you can notice the presence of large wood fibers.

In addition, if you cut two boards of the same shape and thickness, you will notice that the MDF will be a little lighter.

Lumber cutting

If pieces of furniture have carved parts, then we can say with confidence that this is MDF. Even a professional will not be able to cut out such elements from a material such as chipboard, because it will simply crumble during the work.

What is the difference between children's furniture made from MDF and laminated chipboard?

To successfully organize a room for babies, it is important to take into account the advice of doctors. When the baby grows out of his cozy crib. It's time to take care of arranging the space in his room.

To do this you need to choose furniture that will:

• comfortable;
• comfortable;
• safe.

A grown-up baby already needs:

• a table at which he will create the first masterpieces of his creativity, and later do his homework;
• comfortable bed;
• wardrobe with drawers for clothes and toys.

All furniture for a children's room should be made from environmentally friendly materials. In addition, you cannot place furniture in a child’s room if the child is allergic to one of the materials from which it is made.

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing furniture for a nursery is the quality of the furniture. Products must be certified. The quality must be factory made. The more modules, the more opportunities to create the ideal children's room with areas for relaxation, games and activities.

Furniture for the nursery

It is necessary that all furniture is suitable for the child’s age. So that he can get his things or toys from the closet or table.

The chair and table should be such that the baby’s posture develops correctly.

If the size of the children's room does not allow placing full-fledged furniture, the solution would be to purchase modular furniture - a transformer. For example, choosing a bunk bed helps create personal space for each child. It can have a built-in linen drawer and a closet.

Bunk bed

Do not clutter the room with unnecessary pieces of furniture. Only necessary things. If you choose the right furniture, children will feel happy and try to complete tasks on time.

Environmentally friendly materials for facades and product bodies:

• chipboard;
• mdf;
• natural wood.

E1 is the highest safety class of chipboard. If furniture for children is made from this sheet, you don’t have to worry about the quality of the panels. This material is moisture resistant. It is perfect for furniture frames and shelves. It is covered with chipboard with PVC film.

E1

MDF is better suited for making furniture doors. This material is durable and wear-resistant. It is not afraid of moisture and does not deform over time. Resistant to scratches and dirt.

Is it possible to combine materials?

Often, in order to reduce the cost of products, manufacturers combine different materials. Basically, MDF is used to make cabinet doors, while chipboard is best suited for the frame. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to find such cabinets, the frame of which consists of finely divided material - the fact is that such structures will be too expensive.

Materials do not exclude the option of combining

Characteristics of the cost of materials

The most budget option is chipboard. Mostly shelves are made from it. If you make a facade, be sure to apply lamination. This kind of furniture is the most inexpensive.

Advantages – the cost of such furniture. The absence of expensive accessories also reduces the cost of purchase. For this price category the furniture is quite acceptable.

It is imperative to choose good chipboard.

MDF is covered with a special vinyl film for facades and it can be:

• matte;
• glossy;

Glossy

• with effects.

If the film is exposed to heat, it will peel off. It is recommended to choose high-quality film and good adhesive. Such furniture will last 5-7 years.

Facades are easily scratched. However, kitchens in this price category also have a corresponding service life.

The choice of material depending on the kitchen design

Depending on the design of the overall kitchen interior, various lumber is used. Of course, the visual differences between laminated chipboard and MDF are small, but designers have the following opinion regarding the style of the kitchen and the materials for it:

1. Classical. In this case, it is better to give preference to untreated MDF boards, since they can be painted independently and given an unusual appearance using the patina technique.
2. Art Deco. Since the quality of the glossy surface of laminated chipboard is slightly better, it is recommended to use this material. However, MDF is also perfect for such an interior.
3. High tech. Since this style does not have various figured facades, it is quite possible to use laminated chipboard.
4. Provence. As in the case of the classic style, finely dispersed material for painting is most suitable.

MDF kitchen in classic style

General requirements for the use of furniture

Despite the fact that manufacturers promise that kitchens are resistant to high temperatures, you should not expose furniture made from MDF or laminated chipboard to temperatures exceeding 75 degrees. Due to this impact, the surface may be deformed, so it is not recommended to place heating devices on the countertop.

If the kitchen set is constantly exposed to sunlight, then after a few months it may become pale (this is especially true for furniture made of laminated chipboard). You should not allow the slabs to be regularly soaked in water - in such conditions, even the most durable material will rapidly swell.

You will need to keep surfaces clean

The following surface care rules must be followed:

• It is advisable to regularly wipe the furniture with a dry cloth to remove dust; in addition, you can purchase a special product for delicate cleaning;
• if water gets on the surface, it should be removed as quickly as possible with a well-absorbing cloth;
• You should not use wax for such materials, which is used to polish natural wood - it will not be absorbed and will remain in a greasy layer.

MDF and laminated chipboard react poorly to wax intended for solid wood. If this rule is neglected, the laminated surface may become stained and even deformed. When cleaning, you should not use various products with a high acid content.

MDF kitchen combined with living room

Since both materials are resistant to fungi, furniture can stand in dry rooms for many years, and no additional treatment is required in this case.

If you don’t know what to put and where, how to place a set with everything you need in a small kitchen, we advise you to carefully study the special article and then apply the knowledge gained from it in practice.

Painted facades

Painted facades can be ordered in a wide range of colors. They can be:

• matte;

Matte

• chameleon;

Chameleon

• pure color;
• steel metallic.

Steel metallic

The advantage of such facades at a fairly high price category is their long service life.

A high-quality facade cannot contain foreign inclusions or roughness. Visual inspection shows a perfectly mirror surface.

This is achieved by grinding at different levels:

• primer;
• dye;
• varnish

This façade is made using special technology and requires precise execution of all stages. The resulting result will please the owners for a long period of time. It is for this type of MDF that it does not matter whether it is painted on one or both sides. Such panels are not afraid of water, steam, or moisture.

Experts who make furniture do not recommend choosing facades based on chipboard or plastic with its application on one side. Caring for a painted facade requires cleaning approximately every six months. Ease of maintenance depends on the ergonomics of furniture designs. Surface care is simple.

A regular window cleaner will work for this. If any grease stains remain, you can wipe them with a sponge or cloth with detergent.

Surface cleaning

The surfaces are fairly easy to clean and are not susceptible to heavy contamination.

Let's sum it up

So, we have assessed all the main advantages and disadvantages of MDF and laminated chipboard. We can conclude that MDF boards are more environmentally friendly, and if your financial capabilities allow, then do not skimp on purchasing such furniture.

If you only have a limited budget for furnishing your kitchen, then it is advisable to buy furniture made from chipboard. However, you should avoid purchasing hazardous material marked E2 - it is absolutely not suitable for making kitchen furniture.