Builders do not need to explain what MDF is. But to a person far from the intricacies of carpentry, decorative and finishing works and furniture production, it may seem that something mysterious and complex is hidden under this obscure abbreviation. Nothing of the kind, everything is very simple.
wall MDF panelsEveryone is familiar with the good old chipboard chipboard, from which 90% of the pedestals, tables, cabinets in our apartments are made. So, MDF is the highest form of chipboard in technological and qualitative manifestation. The comparison is, of course, rough, but indicative enough.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) or MDF - medium density chipboards produced by the technology of dry hot pressing of fine chips under high pressure.
Mainly MDF is used for the manufacture of furniture, flooring like parquet and various decorative and finishing, ceiling and wall panels of interest to us in particular.
Wall MDF panels are a modern and very good finishing material. They appear before the buyer in painted, laminated or veneered form. The variety of colors, patterns, textures of MDF panels is very large, which undoubtedly contributes to a wide choice and growing popularity among consumers.
MDF panels. Wall covering
The main advantage of MDF wall panels is the ease and convenience of installation, which eliminates the need for preliminary preparation of the walls: cleaning from old coatings, putty, primer and other operations. Installation of MDF panels on a pre-prepared frame makes it possible to use the space between the panels and the wall for thermal insulation, wiring electrical, telephone, antenna cables.
The ceiling can also be clad with MDF wall panels, adhering to a similar technology. Various fixtures can be easily installed on such a coating, and if necessary, it can be easily and quickly dismantled.
The ability to combine is another advantage of wall panels. Slabs are mounted vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and a variety of colors, textures and patterns allows designers to create original interiors.
It is also worth highlighting the economic feasibility of using MDF panels. Since they do not require any special work before and after installation, this method can be attributed to the cheapest finishing options.
On this, perhaps, the advantages of MDF wall panels end. Further complications begin.
Wall panels MDF and ecology
In various advertising descriptions, in order to emphasize the environmental safety of MDF panels, the statement is used that they are made from some kind of phantom specially prepared wood fibers, which naturally release some "wood juices" under temperature and high pressure, which are a natural binding and make it possible to exclude the use of synthetic fillers ... All this is advertising nonsense.
It is worth emphasizing once again that MDF panels are produced using the same technology as all other types of chipboard. Their main shaping components are wood chips and binding fillers based on synthetic urea resins, which limit the emission of formaldehydes, but do not exclude it in any way.
In simple terms, the main danger of all these types of plates is the binding agent. Previously, phenol-formaldehyde resins were used for these purposes - a group of highly toxic substances. Today, urea resins are used, which are less dangerous.
Thus, the environmental indicators of MDF boards are quite acceptable, but comparing them with natural wood, at least, is inappropriate.
And some more shortcomings ...
The wall panels are on fire and it's a proven fact. It is extremely naive to trust manufacturers and sellers who claim that a material that is almost 100% wood shavings can be fire resistant. Therefore, all wiring behind the wall panels must be installed in metal corrugations.
In direct contact with moisture, cuts and other areas unprotected with paint or film swell and deform. You can close them with a platband or plinth, but this cannot be called reliable protection.
Wall MDF panels cannot boast of high strength. The coating mounted on the frame can be damaged by impact, which can never be ruled out, and the question of fixing shelves or any attachments is in great doubt.
What conclusions can be drawn?
Wall MDF panels are really a modern aesthetic and inexpensive material, but nothing is perfect. In the context of our question, only natural wood can be ideal. And wall panels will organically look in offices, shops, utility rooms, but not in residential "apartments". If the walls in the house are sheathed with MDF panels, then, most likely, the atmosphere of home comfort will fade into the background, and the living room or kitchen will more closely resemble a train compartment or a ship's cabin. Although, maybe someone just needs this option.
As they say, the owner is a master, and everyone must decide this independently, based on their own preferences.