Furniture items are intended for long-term use, therefore the type of material from which they are made is one of the main criteria when assessing the feasibility of purchasing them. It is clear that there are many nuances that affect the service life of products - the care of the owners, operating conditions (temperature, humidity in the room) and a number of other factors. To understand which furniture will turn out better, you need to understand what laminated chipboard and MDF are and what properties they are characterized by. Then any of us can do optimal choice, in accordance with the circumstances.
Features of laminated chipboard
This abbreviation stands for “laminated chipboard.” It is based on compressed sawdust and shavings, which are held together using formaldehyde resins. There are products on sale from different manufacturers, but high-quality products are always three-layer. In the center there are raw materials with larger fractions, and small ones are used for the outer layers.
Chipboard used for furniture is subject to surface finishing. It is made using film (paper + melamine resin). This coating is pressed into the base, so the samples are distinguished from ordinary particle board by their greater strength and moisture resistance.
What to consider
- All chipboards are divided into classes. “E1” is characterized by a minimal formaldehyde content. Therefore, when choosing furniture for residential premises (especially for children's rooms, bedrooms), it is necessary to clarify this parameter using the accompanying documentation (certificate). Class "E2" if purchased, then only for utility rooms, since such products are more “harmful”. “E3” samples are generally prohibited from being used inside buildings, since the proportion of harmful resins in their composition reaches 30%.
- Considering the structure of chipboards, it is clear that they are not distinguished by high strength, especially fracture resistance. Constant disassembly/assembly or dragging furniture from place to place leads to rapid wear of the material in the locations of the sockets for fasteners.
- At high temperatures (for example, in the area where the oven is located), the finish may begin to peel off and warp. It will no longer be possible to restore it to its original form. This is worth paying attention to when making a kitchen set.
Features of MDF
This is a wood fiber board. It differs in that in its production small fractions are used, which are subjected to special treatment. Such products are distinguished not only by greater density, but also by weight. Compared to laminated chipboard, there is practically no emission of harmful fumes. Essentially, it is an intermediate option between solid wood and particle board.
When choosing a building material or finished furniture, we often come across the abbreviations MDF and chipboard. These are materials similar in their functions, but MDF is better and more expensive, and chipboard is worse and cheaper. But what is the difference between MDF and chipboard, and does it make sense to pay more? Today we will talk about the differences between MDF and chipboard.
Fiberboard and solid wood fall out a little from this series. Fibreboard is similar in production technology to MDF and chipboard, but its scope of application is narrow - entirely from Fiberboard furniture you won't. We seem to know everything about such a material as wood. However, it is always interesting to compare wood with cheaper alternatives and understand what is better - MDF, chipboard or.
MDF: characteristics, pros and cons
-ecologically pure material – in the production of MDF, no artificial resins (formaldehyde) are used, which could release harmful substances into the air
With special treatment, MDF can be installed in rooms with humidity up to 80%, May be .
Capable for a long time don't change yours geometric shapes – does not crack, does not bend, does not
Disadvantages of MDF:
Relatively high price slabs, since in our area there are still quite a few enterprises producing MDF. In addition, additional treatment against exposure to moisture and fire does not make MDF cheaper.
Enough soft material - with strong impacts, dents and depressions remain on the surface of the MDF.
Chipboard: characteristics, pros and cons
The most popular material for the production of cheap office furniture, interior decoration, interior partitions. Overall, the area using chipboard matches MDF. What is the difference between MDF and chipboard? Thus, to create chipboards, they do not take whole logs or woodworking waste, but wood chips, shavings, and sawdust from low-value tree species (both coniferous and non-coniferous). These shavings and sawdust are hot-pressed and bonded together using formaldehyde or other synthetic resins. These resins are a carcinogenic substance, therefore, depending on the level of their content in the chipboard, their class (and cost) will be determined:
- Chipboard class E1– lower level of formaldehyde emission, that is, carcinogens are not so actively released into the indoor air;
- Chipboard class E2– high level of emissions into indoor air, prohibited for the production of children's furniture.
By the way, in European countries recently banned chipboard production classes E1 and E2, only DPS “Super E” class is produced. As we can see, the difference between chipboard and MDF is also that carcinogenic resins are not used in the production of MDF, unlike chipboard. A very compelling argument.
Chipboard: advantages
- low cost
Not bad specifications – chipboard slabs can be sawed, glued, painted
High thermal insulation and sound insulation properties
- biologically resistant material, not exposed to aggressive environments, and with the introduction of special substances it can be moisture-resistant and fire-resistant (but it must be admitted that chipboards are rarely provided with such qualities; almost all chipboards produced by the industry are “ordinary”).
- very hard material. Unlike MFD, chipboard will not be damaged by the fall of a heavy object - there will be no dents left on it
Quite worthy appearance , especially when it comes to laminated chipboard. A comparison of laminated chipboard and MDF in terms of decorativeness would be very appropriate: wood-like coatings, multi-colored coatings. Laminated chipboard is resistant to both mechanical and thermal effects. By the way, laminated and laminated chipboard look almost the same, but the former will last much less.
Cons of chipboard
The biggest difference between chipboard and MDF is health impact. Environmentally unsafe chipboards contain carcinogens that affect your health. Yes, there are boards with very low formaldehyde resin emissions. But the phrase “this table is a little carcinogenic” in relation to your children sounds like blasphemy.
- does not hold fasteners well. Once a self-tapping screw falls out, it will fall out all the time.
- impossibility of fine processing(shaped parts, deep milling).
Fiberboard: characteristics, pros, cons
Fiberboard, or hardboard, is produced by wet pressing. In general, fiberboard production technology can be compared with MDF production– wood dust is pressed, but not dry, but wet. This technology is low-cost, so fiberboard is inexpensive material. However, it does not allow the production of thick fiberboard sheets. Fiberboard is what we see when we pull out desk drawers or move furniture away from the walls. As a rule, one side of the fiberboard sheet is laminated, and the other is left untouched - rough, with a “fine mesh” pattern. Comparing fiberboard and chipboard, fiberboard or MDF will not yield anything - fiberboard is used in its own narrow field, and in some cases plywood can replace it, but not chipboard or MDF.
Solid wood: characteristics, pros, cons
The first and main disadvantage of wood is price. Mainly the characteristics of products from natural wood will be determined by how high quality it is, and others. Additional processing is important for both MDF and chipboard, but for wood it is much more important. The fact is that even a felled tree remains a living material: it breathes, absorbs odors, moisture, reacts to high temperatures, etc. Another undeniable advantage of wood as a building material is environmental friendliness. The beauty of wood texture, without any laminates or other tricks, is also a powerful argument. And, in the end, wooden things, furniture, panels have always been a sign of wealth. But the phrase “this door is made of natural chipboard!” you can't say it with pride.
At the same time, everyone chooses what is closest to their liking, affordability and functionality. We hope our short review helped you decide which is better - MDF or chipboard, the differences between MDF and chipboard and clarified the question of what it is - chipboard, fiberboard and MDF.
Tatyana Kuzmenko, member of the editorial board, correspondent of the online publication "AtmWood. Wood-Industrial Bulletin"
Choosing a facade is a responsible matter. Durability depends on this kitchen furniture, its appearance and the ability to decide on a furniture arrangement plan. Modern designers give preference the following materials for the manufacture of kitchen facades: MDF (fine fraction), laminated chipboard (laminated chipboard) and plastic. These materials have proven themselves highly, both in terms of cost-effective indicators and aesthetic characteristics. Thanks to modern technologies In production, each of these types of finishes lends itself to obtaining any form of furniture.
Numerous reviews on the Internet about the material for the kitchen facade demonstrate that users do not give preference to any type of kitchen; they are all in an equal position. Therefore, in order to make the final choice of material, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages and disadvantages of each type of kitchen.
Characteristics of MDF, its advantages and disadvantages
MDF facades have been the most popular and widespread in the world for more than ten years. These kitchens are painted like cars. Paint is applied to the surface of the facades in several layers, each subsequent one, after the previous one has dried, before which the surface of the material is thoroughly primed. After complete drying MDF paints cover protective layer varnish
MDF kitchens are the most popular on the market
Such kitchens have a number of advantages:
- reasonable price compared to more modern types facades;
- the possibility of obtaining facades of any color and texture: glossy, matte, chameleon, etc.;
- kitchens made of MDF are not afraid of moisture, high temperatures and chemical exposure;
- quite unpretentious in care, do not require special means;
- variety of façade shapes: flat or curved;
- facades can withstand up to four paintings;
- resistant to moisture and odors.
But MDF kitchens are not without their drawbacks, including:
- loss of brightness and color saturation under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
- the surface is easily chipped and scratched;
- If the surface of the facade is damaged, it is impossible to carry out partial painting, since it is difficult to choose a shade.
Advice. If, nevertheless, scratches appear on the MDF facade, it is not necessary to repaint it entirely, you can come up with original pattern and apply it to the entire perimeter of the facades, thereby obtaining a completely new interior.
Kitchens made of MDF look quite simple, so it would be more original to combine several colors in the facades and add curved lines on drawers or side cabinets, so the kitchen will look like a designer one.
Characteristics of laminated chipboard, its advantages and disadvantages
This kind kitchen facades no less popular than MDF, but it is more often chosen for use in a rented apartment, country house, or as a temporary option. Laminated chipboards are produced using a physical and chemical lamination process, during which chipboard sheet film is applied. The result of this is smooth surface with a slight reflective effect. The advantages of this method include the following:
- cheap type of finishing in comparison with any other kitchen facades.
This is the only advantage of this material.
In addition, the material has a number of disadvantages:
- low strength of facades, both film and chipboard are easily scratched;
- low water resistance, especially at corners; after a year, the facades can already delaminate and begin to come apart;
- due to deformations of the material, the fittings also fail, doors may creak, or not fully open or close;
- very short service life due to low quality material;
- low resistance to moisture and odors;
- Maintenance of facades is too demanding, the film is easily damaged.
Attention! If you decide to buy a kitchen made of laminated chipboard, plan the top tier of drawers so that they are no less than 65-70 cm from the surface of the countertop, or even better, place them as far as possible from hob. In this way you will minimize the impact of steam on the façade and extend its service life.
Characteristics of plastic facades, their advantages and disadvantages
Plastic facades are only gaining momentum in popularity. Despite the fact that the name “kitchen made of plastic” has taken root among people, this is a little incorrect. Such facades are made using two technologies: according to the first method, plastic is glued to MDF, according to the second, plastic is glued to chipboard. Both methods are reliable and of high quality, but, as discussed earlier, MDF facades will be more expensive. A plastic kitchen has a number of advantages, including:
- wide palette of colors;
- attractive and expensive appearance of the kitchen;
- facades are resistant to high temperatures;
- You can use abrasives for maintenance; there will be no micro-scratches left on the surface;
- do not fade in the sun;
- resistant to moisture and odors.
- long service life, without loss of appearance.
A significant list of advantages of plastic kitchens does not deprive them of disadvantages:
- the high cost of plastic facades, but over a long service life it is justified;
- can only be made smooth details, bends and semicircles are impossible;
- demanding to maintain, every fingerprint is visible on the surface of the facades.
Advice. If you have chosen a kitchen with plastic facades, it is better to opt for glossy surfaces; they retain an attractive appearance longer, while matte facades are more difficult to clean and very quickly take on the appearance of shabby and unkempt.
IN Lately many craftsmen try to mislead the client and pass off laminated chipboard as plastic. To distinguish plastic from laminated chipboard, just look closely at their reflection: plastic reflects everything mirror-like, while on laminated chipboard there is a slight areola around the reflection.
What material to choose for the kitchen?
Before deciding which material is best to choose for making a kitchen, you need to decide what service life you want to get as a result. It’s worth choosing laminated chipboard if you have a very limited budget and in a few years you plan major renovation. As for plastic and MDF, depending on your financial capabilities, you can make any choice of kitchen material. Both of these materials answer high quality and have a long service life.
Choosing a material for making a kitchen is only the surface of the iceberg; it is important to correctly plan work areas of sufficient size and in required quantity. A photo found on the Internet will not necessarily be possible to bring to life in your kitchen. Therefore, it is better to seek help from a professional designer who will help you usefully distribute the space.
Which kitchen facades to choose - video
The building materials market offers consumers very a large assortment products, which are quite difficult to understand without certain skills. However, materials made on the basis of natural wood– MDF and its laminated chipboard version. Despite some similarities, the materials have significant differences.
Definition
MDF– a finely dispersed fraction of wood, or to be more precise, it is a slab made from wood fiber by drying, followed by hot pressing. It is worth noting that wood fibers are processed before pressing with special binders. For this purpose they are used natural products lignin and paraffin, which do not emit harmful substances.
MDF panel
laminated chipboard- this is a representative of a series of chipboards, or rather, it is sanded chipboard. The main difference between laminated chipboard and chipboard is the presence of a special facing film made from paper and melamine resin. Protective film is pressed into the chipboard structure, making it more durable and moisture resistant.
Chipboard panel Comparison
Considering such popular ones in comparison Construction Materials, we can note the fact that they are widely used, but each of them occupies a specific niche. The main differences are presented in the table:
When considering MDF and laminated chipboard, it is necessary to pay attention to their main technical characteristics and the scope of their application in this regard. Considering the fact that both materials are made from natural wood, it is worth noting their main area of application - furniture manufacturing. Moreover, MDF is a very soft material that is easy to process. This is highly valued in the manufacture of luxury furniture, which requires elegance and fine lines. Carved cabinets and headboards are all made of MDF.
Regarding laminated chipboard, one can note a high degree of protection against harmful effects, such as high humidity and high temperature. This has made the material indispensable in the production of kitchen and bathroom furniture. Nowadays, most of the economy class cabinet furniture is made from chipboard. Particularly valuable is the fact that thanks to laminated chipboard film has many color options.
Naturally, MDF and laminated chipboard are no less in demand in construction. In this regard, we can note the fact that laminated chipboard, due to its structure, perfectly holds screws and nails. The material is very effective in the manufacture of partitions, individual elements roofing, various interior details. As for MDF, the ease of its processing has made the material indispensable for constructing ventilated facades. Partitions and roof elements are also made of MDF.
Conclusions website
- MDF is a very soft material, which makes it indispensable in furniture production.
- laminated chipboard has a wide color scheme, which is widely used in the production of cabinet furniture.
- MDF is environmentally friendly material and has no restrictions on use, laminated chipboard is not recommended for use in children's and medical institutions.
- MDF, compared to laminated chipboard, is more expensive material, which is associated with small volumes of domestic production.
The construction industry today uses many of the most different materials, intended for interior works. Among them are MDF and chipboard, which are largely similar materials, but also have significant differences. In order to properly use this or that material, you need to know the main characteristics and features of each type.
What is chipboard?
The abbreviation chipboard is chipboard. This material is produced by pressing sawdust and shavings under high temperature. For the bunch natural component boards, formaldehyde or synthetic resins are used.
Raw materials for chipboard manufacturing may be waste from wood processing of conifers and hardwood. The basic properties of the material are determined by the size, density and shape of the particles, as well as the quality and quantity of resins. Based on this, chipboards come in high, medium and low density. The chipboard structure can be one-, three- or five-layer.
According to health safety human chipboard divided into two types: E1 (has low level formaldehyde content) and E2 (with a significant level of formaldehyde content).
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of chipboard include its mechanical strength, moisture resistance and accessibility for mechanical processing. This material is easy to saw, drill, it can be milled, planed, painted and glued. Besides, cost of chipboard relatively low.
According to some chipboard parameters superior to ordinary wood. They are more fire-resistant, less susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature, less susceptible to mold, and have more pronounced heat and sound insulation properties.
TO negative qualities refers to the presence of formaldehyde resins in the chipboard composition. As a result, a certain amount of this substance is constantly released into environment, which when using the material indoors can cause allergies in humans.
Application area
Chipboard in construction is used as finishing (for example, laminated boards). This material is also suitable for the construction of interior partitions and flooring. In rooms with high level It is not recommended to use it in humidity.
What is MDF?
This material is fibreboard medium density made from fine sawdust. The basis of raw materials is waste from the wood processing industry and logging. At MDF manufacturing wood raw materials are specially ground, then treated with steam under high pressure, after which it enters the rotating discs of the defibrator. After rubbing, the material is brought to a state resembling felt, and is thoroughly dried and glued together.
Advantages and disadvantages
This is a very dense and homogeneous material, which makes it mechanically strong, resistant to moisture and hot steam. The cost of MDF is also relatively low. It is worth special mention environmental safety and harmlessness to human health: the particles that make up MDF are bonded together using paraffin and lingin. The advantages of MDF include the ability to maintain geometric parameters for a long time.
A distinctive feature of MDF is its exceptional surface quality: it is smooth, even, uniform and at the same time very dense. Mechanical restoration the material is not difficult.
To the disadvantages MDF boards refers to their easy flammability upon contact with an open flame. It is also worth noting that high stability To mechanical damage: Accidentally dropping a heavy object onto the MDF surface may leave a dent.
Application area
MDF is used for the manufacture of door blocks along with frames and trim from the same material. Laminated platbands and linings for entrance doors are made from MDF.
MDF boards can also be used to construct interior partitions, but they are not suitable for flooring due to their mechanical vulnerability. At the same time, their use in rooms with high levels of humidity is quite acceptable.
Conclusion
Comparing these two materials, we come to the conclusion that for use as a construction and finishing material, used for interior design, MDF is more preferable. The reason is safety for human health. The exception is flooring work, which is best done using chipboards, as they are more durable.
Video of making an economical facade.