MDF Board: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

What adds character to the interior of the house is its woodwork, be it wall panelling, wardrobes, cabinets, storage units, or feature walls. When it comes to the woodwork, it is crucial to make a smart and informed choice of the substrate to be used. For most people, the choice comes down to engineered wood products like plywood or so-called wood boards; however, if you want your wood interiors to stay for a longer time, then you should go for MDF Boards. 

The MDF Boards are one of the most versatile boards. Why do we say that? That’s what we have got for you in this article. By the end of this article, you will know everything about MDF Boards, their features, uses, and also how and where to get the MDF sheet design of your choice.    

What is the MDF Board? 

MDF board stands for Medium-Density Fibreboard, that is engineered by compressing wood fibres with resin and adhesives under a lot of pressure. The result is a dense, smooth, and uniform board that has no grain, like in solid wood or plywood. Because of their smooth finish design, MDF Boards are used in interiors where precision of design and lamination for aesthetics are required. 

Key features of MDF Boards: 

• A smooth and uniform surface, which makes it ideal for painting and lamination. 

• The smooth surface makes it good for machinability. This is the versatile nature of MDF boards and MDF sheets that can be moulded into any design easily. 

• However, one must know that MDF boards are not meant for heavy-load bearing, but are the perfect choice for interior finishings. 

 

Why use MDF Sheets and what to consider with MDF Sheet design? 

When it comes to MDF Sheets, they are typically panels of large rectangular boards that come in various thicknesses like - 9 mm, 12 mm, 18 mm, 25 mm, and so on. Plus MDF sheets also come in various designs and formats - plain for painting, pre-laminated for immediate finish, textured for special effect, or cut/ routed for decorative panels etc. In case of Greenply India’s leading plywood brand, MDF sheets come in 8×4 ft size and thicknesses spanning 1.90 mm up to 30 mm. Here are some of the factors that you must consider before you pick an MDF Sheet design: 

 

• Size and thickness: The larger the sheet, the fewer the joints. Along with that thickness should be taken into consideration that aligns with your aesthetic needs. 

• Surface Finish: If the MDF Sheets have to be painted, then you must choose the one with the smoothest surface or if it has to be laminated, then get pre-laminated MDF Sheets. 

• Edge detailing and joinery: MDF Sheets are available with banded edges, routed, and even shaped. You must choose your MDF sheets according to your projects.  

• Environmental conditions: Often overlooked, but the most important factor is anticipating moisture, where the MDF sheets are to be used. If it's a place like bathroom, kitchen, or exterior walls, then you must get moisture-resistant or special grade MDF sheets. 

• Design aesthetics: Nowadays, you get CNC (Computer Numerical Control)-cut decorative screens that’ll help you create the design of your choice using MDF sheets. 

Uses of MDF Board: especially for walls and interior furniture. 

Now that you understand the features of MDF, let us take you to its uses. From MDF board designs for walls, to making units for your place to hold your essentials, MDF Board and sheets shows its versatility in all its usage. 

•  Creating textured or geometric patterns on the wall is easier than ever with MDF sheets. 

• Built-in wardrobes and cabinets are the new normal or modern homes. MDF sheets provide these storage units with a seamless, smooth finish. 

• MDF boards can also be cut and carved into making beautiful partitions and even acoustic treatments as wall panels. 

What to check before buying an MDF board 

Before you place an order for your MDF board, here are a few things that you must check to ensure that you have the perfect MDF board for your project. 

• Grade and other specifications: Always check the moisture grade of the sheet, especially if it has to be used in a moisture laden area. Other specifications like formaldehyde emission standard (CARB P2) and termite & borer resistance of the MDF Board should also be checked for the safety and health of your family. 

• Surface finish and size: When the MDF board has a smooth finish then it allows for better paint finishing. Along with that size and thickness of the MDF Board should be considered with regard to the project. 

• Machinenability and handling: A high-quality MDF board allows for easy, chipping-free cutting, routing and drilling experience, maintaining its smooth finish. 

• Environment and durability: While a moisture resistant grade MDF board goes a long way, when it comes to durability, other certifications related to fire-resistance, emissions and material sourcing and manufacturing technology would also be checked. 

• Finishing and installation: If the MDF board has to be painted, then make sure that its edges are sealed and the surface is primed. Similarly, if it will be laminated or veneered, then its finishing details should be checked.

• Cost vs Benefits analysis: MDF Boards that come with moisture or other grades often cost more, but they serve for a long period of time. Along with that, installation is also a cost that is incurred in case of MDF board, which should be done professionally to prevent any hassle in the future. 

Greenply’s MDF Board Range and its uses. 

Greenply is a leading name in India when it comes to MDF Boards and sheets. The reasons behind it are many - first of all, the MDF boards are manufactured using PROD-IQ NEO TECH, an AI-based process that analyses thousands of microfibres for uniformity and quality. Secondly, it offers a wide range of grades from moisture to fire-resistant. Last but not least, the sheer range of MDF boards and sheets Greenply offers cannot be seen anywhere else. 

• Interior Grade MDF: This is Greenply’s super-smooth, borer & termite-resistant MDF for dry interiors. It comes in thickness 1.90 mm up to 30 mm with size that goes up to 8×4 ft. 

• Exterior Grade MDF: These MDF boards are made for highly humid conditions and can be used in exterior projects and even interiors with high moisture exposure like bathrooms and kitchen. Greenply offers thickness from 3.30mm to 30 mm. 

• Greenply’s MDF HDMR 710: This is a high-density moisture-resistant board that is made with PROD-IQ NEO TECH and offers a wide range of thickness from 3mm to 25mm. This MDF Board is made for areas with high-humidity or moisture exposure. 

• Pre-Laminated MDF: These come with factory-applied finishes that too in a variety of textures and colours. The thickness starts from 3mm onwards and comes in size 8×4 ft.  

• Boil Pro 500 (Water- & Fire-Resistant MDF): The Greenply MDF Boil Pro 500 uses HydroFireBloc technology, that makes it both water-proof and water-resistant, available in thickness 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, and in the standard  8×4 ft size. 

• CARB P2 Zero-Emission MDF: This is an MDF board with low-formaldehyde emissions and hence the name Zero-emission. This one is available in sizes from 3.30mm to 25mm. 

Conclusion

Now you have all the necessary information required to choose an MDF board for your project. With the necessary information and access to the best plywood brand in India, you can successfully create projects that are long-lasting and safe. At Greenply, we make products that are heavy on duty but light on the environment. Visit our official site  and choose from the long product catalog we have designed for you.