Which material to choose for the kitchen: MDF or chipboard?

Kitchen MDF or chipboard: which is better?

The kitchen is different from the other rooms. Firstly, a lot of things are stored here - kitchen utensils, appliances, dishes, food. Secondly, there is more moisture here. Thirdly, the air temperature here is constantly changing. Sometimes the kitchen is much hotter when cooking than the rest of the house. The operating conditions here are far from gentle. All these factors must be taken into account when arranging a kitchen.

It is important to choose furniture wisely. Both appearance and ergonomics must be taken into account. But a much more important parameter is the material of manufacture. It ensures long service life under high loads. It should not be afraid of temperature changes, hot steam, high humidity, or deteriorate when exposed to oil splashes, absorbing dirt and odors. Cleaning must allow the use of chemicals.

It is better to choose solid wood. It is durable, environmentally friendly and reliable. But this is very expensive. Therefore, it is most often replaced with more economical materials, the leaders among which are chipboard and MDF. Both of these materials have their advantages and disadvantages. To understand what exactly to choose, we will discuss in more detail all the features, pros and cons of MDF and laminated chipboard.

What is chipboard

The technology for producing particle board has been known for more than a century. And if at first the quality of the finished products could not be called high, then over time it grew to very decent. The slabs are made from sawdust and shavings, which are glued together using a special composition. The production is environmentally friendly and waste-free, since the slabs require wood products. All crushed raw materials are washed, dried and mixed with formaldehyde resins. Modern impregnations make it possible to add certain properties to the material. You can make it more moisture resistant and also protect it from fire, for example. To make the resulting mixture strong, it is pressed under high pressure and high temperature. This process produces slabs of varying thicknesses.

And to make the material look aesthetically pleasing, chipboard is laminated using a special film. It additionally protects against moisture and minor damage. In this case, laminated chipboard is obtained from chipboard.

The resulting slabs can be cut into elements of different shapes and sizes. It is important to then protect the ends with a plastic edge so that they do not get wet.

Pros and cons of laminated chipboard

Today this material is durable and lightweight. Moreover, the denser the slab, the higher its strength. In addition, the material calmly reacts to temperature changes, high humidity, and is not afraid of mechanical stress. Thanks to the use of film, you can choose any color and texture. At the same time, the cost of laminated chipboard is much lower than that of MDF and solid wood.

But the material also has disadvantages. The most significant of these is processing complexity. Laminated chipboard crumbles when cut, chips may appear on the board, so it will not be possible to cut out parts of complex shapes from it. At the same time, chipboard is ideal for even and smooth parts. That is why the material is often used for facades or housing.

In addition, chipboard is hygroscopic. Therefore, if some areas of the slab are not protected, moisture will easily penetrate into the material. Because of this, the slab may swell and bulge. In these places, the film can peel off, and mold can grow underneath it. To prevent this from happening, it is important to ensure the presence of plastic protection, and if it is not there, then remove moisture from the surface in a timely manner.

What is MDF

MDF is a medium density fiberboard. The abbreviation itself stands for “fine fraction”.

This material, like chipboard, is made from wood chips. But they use a different technology. Firstly, the raw material is crushed more strongly, and after washing it is completely split into fibers. Secondly, it is not just washed, but goes through a disinfection process using hot steam. Thirdly, natural wood resin is used to glue the fibers, which is released during the heating process of the material. It is possible to add various harmless components to impart additional properties. A press is used to produce a solid slab. MDF sheets are hard and dense, they can have different thicknesses. They are cut according to specified parameters, polished, and a finishing protective and decorative coating is applied on top. It can be film, veneer, enamel or acrylic plastic.

Pros and cons of MDF

The main difference between MDF and laminated chipboard is that the former can be processed in any way, including shaped cutting. Therefore, MDF is suitable for the production of even the most complex elements. In this case, the sheets can be bent, which allows you to complicate the furniture elements.

Another advantage is that the finishing coating is applied to the finished part, which means there will be no joints or seams on the surface. All end parts are also covered with protection, so moisture does not penetrate inside the slab.

MDF can have any shade, texture and texture. This is a durable material, resistant to moisture, fungus does not form in it, it can withstand mechanical stress, and is easy to care for. At the same time, it is an absolutely safe, environmentally friendly material.

The only disadvantage of this material is the cost. But when compared to chipboard, it is cheaper than solid MDF. Also, due to its density, the latter is heavier than chipboards.

The best materials for kitchen units, taking into account the characteristics of use

To choose the best option for the kitchen, you need to take into account the characteristics of the materials. So, MDF is stronger and has more design possibilities, but at the same time it is more expensive and heavier. Not everyone is ready to spend big when choosing a kitchen; most are looking for the optimal combination of price and quality.

For example, the body can be made of chipboard. The material is perfect for creating straight parts. It makes a durable, reliable and aesthetically pleasing case. You can purchase a regular version with a slab thickness of up to 18 mm and a reinforced version with a thickness of up to 25 mm.

When choosing a countertop, you can pay attention to both materials. MDF will last longer and is less susceptible to mechanical and other damage. If you take laminated chipboard, then you need to choose a thickness of at least 38 mm. In this case, the material will also demonstrate good performance properties.

Facades are selected depending on the complexity of the design. If you need doors without decoration, then laminated chipboard is quite suitable. To create shaped parts and other complex elements, you should pay attention to MDF.

It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of whether a kitchen made of MDF or laminated chipboard is better. To get high quality at an affordable price, you need to find a compromise. And the best compromise will be a combination of materials. Most often, manufacturers make the body from laminated chipboard and the facades from MDF. This allows you to get furniture of the most complex design and original shape. This option preserves the durability of the structure and reduces its cost.

The Garda Decor catalog presents options for luxurious modern Art Deco and classic kitchen sets made from MDF. It is possible to produce facades coated with enamel, veneer, or HPL plastic. We offer to order a stylish premium designer set at a competitive price. We carry out turnkey projects.