What is better to choose when ordering furniture – MDF or chipboard?

The performance properties, service life and appearance of the furniture depend on the source material. Today, in the production of kitchens, bedroom sets and cabinets, laminated chipboard and MDF are most often used. An inexperienced buyer does not see the difference by eye and asks the question: “Which material is better?”

What is chipboard?

Explanation of the abbreviation chipboard - chipboard. It is made as follows:

1. They take shavings and chips formed as a result of wood production at sawmills. The starting raw materials are coniferous and deciduous trees of low value.
2. Production waste is passed through special crushers.
3. The resulting particles are compressed at high temperature. The smallest chips go to the top layer.
4. Substances of non-mineral origin – phenol-formaldehyde resins – are used as an adhesive base. At the same stage, fire retardants, antiseptics and other components are added to the slab, which provide protection against fungus, parasites and improve the characteristics of the finished material: making it stronger, more resistant to moisture and fire.

Covering the board with a film of melamine resin is called lamination. This is how laminated chipboard is obtained. More expensive products are additionally varnished. Compared to regular chipboard, laminated board looks better, has higher strength and water resistance.

The demand for furniture made from chipboard and laminated chipboard is still high due to the low price and wide selection of colors. A big plus of the material is its resistance to high temperatures. However, it has a number of serious disadvantages:

• Emission (release) of formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a gas with a pungent odor and high toxicity. Its content in laminated chipboard can reach up to 18%. It has carcinogenic properties, irritates mucous membranes (and for this reason is especially harmful to the eyes and respiratory organs), and can cause allergic reactions.

There are classes of chipboard E0.5, E1 and E2 depending on the quantitative content of formaldehyde. Laminate makes wood board more environmentally friendly by preventing the evaporation of toxic gas, although it does not completely solve the problem.

• Low density

Laminated chipboard easily crumbles and cracks due to mechanical stress, therefore it is suitable for the manufacture of only cabinets and straight furniture facades. You cannot screw a self-tapping screw into the same place twice. The material does not hold hammered nails or glass. If handled carelessly, you can accidentally pull the handle out of a cabinet door or drawer.

• Rabies

The outer surface of laminated chipboard is resistant to moisture, but the risk of water penetration through side cuts, chips and gaps remains. This leads to an increase in the volume of material by 20-30%. The laminate cracks, and the appearance of the chipboard deteriorates. It is highly not recommended to use the material for bathroom furniture.

What is MDF?

The original name is medium density fiberboard (MDF). Like laminated chipboard, it is produced by pressing at high temperatures, but with some features:

• not shavings are used, but very fine sawdust (wood dust), so the finished material is more dense and homogeneous;
• Urea resins act as binders, the formaldehyde content of which is insignificant.

Thus, MDF is an environmentally friendly and healthy material. Not only cases are made from it, but also three-dimensional facades and furniture with carved patterns. Withstands high loads, practically does not react to water. In addition, furniture made from MDF is practically not susceptible to the formation of fungus and mold.

However, the material has two significant drawbacks:

• High price. This material will cost you 1.5-2.5 times more than laminated chipboard. At the same time, you will not notice any external difference on standard furniture (straight cabinets, tables).
• Highly flammable. MDF is a material prone to rapid fire. But at first it smolders unnoticed, which increases the risk of fire in the apartment.

Comparison of chipboard and MDF

If we analyze the characteristics described above, then laminated chipboard is inferior to MDF in the following parameters:

• environmental friendliness;
• health safety;
• density: 300-600 kg/m³ (laminated chipboard) versus 600-800 kg/m³ (MDF);
• water resistance;
• ease of processing.

It seems that only the low price makes laminated chipboard attractive. But don't rush to conclusions. Laminated chipboard has several useful features:

• light weight;
• the hardness of the material (not to be confused with density) is higher than that of MDF, so it is suitable for use in difficult conditions: in warehouses, production, in the garage;
• resistance to high temperatures.

Knowing the properties of laminated chipboard and MDF, you can understand whether you have chosen a good material for the bedroom, nursery or kitchen.

What material to choose for the bedroom and nursery?

A bed is a place where you spend at least 6-8 hours every day.Obviously, constantly inhaling formaldehyde fumes will harm you. Therefore, buy or order a bed for your bedroom made of MDF. The same applies to bedside tables and tables.

But the cabinets and chests of drawers at the opposite end of the bedroom can be made of laminated chipboard. Or consider a combined option: the material of the internal shelves and cabinets is laminated chipboard, and the beautiful facades are made of MDF.

The choice for a children's room is obvious - safe MDF. But if the child is no longer a preschooler, then you can buy (order) a desk and a cabinet made of laminated chipboard.

What material to choose for the kitchen?

Since MDF has low heat resistance, we do not recommend placing cabinets made of this material above the stove, near the oven, or old electrical appliances. But the disadvantage of laminated chipboard is the fear of moisture. Furniture should not be located near the sink or dishwasher.

If you want to order an original project from a designer (with three-dimensional facades, carved designs, glass inserts, and other details), you will have to fork out money and choose MDF. Laminated chipboard is less preferable for the kitchen also because at high humidity and temperature the emission of formaldehyde increases.

Combination of materials

If the issue of price is not acute, then it is clear that it is better to choose MDF for the interior of the apartment. What should those people who want to save money do? Combine materials. Below is a table that will help you not to overpay for furnishing your apartment.

conclusions

Thus, from the point of view of performance characteristics, MDF is still better, although the price is more attractive for laminated chipboard. But keep in mind that expensive material is more profitable in the long run because it has a long service life.