Why is MDF so popular, and how can it benefit your latest project?

One of the biggest changes to the timber industry in our generation is the introduction of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). But what is it exactly, and what is it best used for?

MDF is an engineered wood which is made by breaking down hardwood and softwood fibres and combining it with specialist wax resins to create a solid, dense and durable timber product. Its composition allows for great versatility, as it can be pressed or machined into almost any panel or moulded shape, making it the perfect product for a wide variety of applications.

Compared to all other timber, MDF has a high number of uses, it is a great option for indoor and outdoor projects, and can be used for decorative purposes and specialist briefs.

During production, specialist additives can be added to give it more durable properties, such as moisture resistance. This makes it a great option for exterior jobs and it can even withstand extreme weather conditions, making it suitable for areas of high moisture such as marine applications. Similarly, colour can be added during manufacture giving customers a wide range of aesthetic options to suit their needs. It’s also a great substrate for bonding laminate or veneer sheets to creating a highly decorative product.

Benefits of MDF:

• It can be machined into almost any length or shape, and will create perfectly smooth edges
• Due to its smooth finish, it is the perfect surface to paint and will create minimal imperfections
• It’s cheaper than many other similar manmade products.
• It’s available in specialist finishes such as moisture resistant, coloured throughout, real wood veneer, bonded laminate and exterior.

MDF is not suitable for some applications. Here are some things to consider when buying MDF for your job:

• Unless specially treated for moisture resistance, the product is highly porous, so it will swell in moist or damp conditions and can require several coats of paint to get the desired finish.
• Due to its composition of fine particles MDF doesn’t hold screws as well as solid timber.

We have a huge variety of MDF products in store and on our website, including:

- Veneered

- Primed

- Moisture Resistant

- Flexible

- Coloured Valcromat

All of these products can be cut to whatever size or shape if desired by our skilled joiners in our onsite workshop. Take a look at www.atlantictimber.co.uk or come in to store and speak to a member of our team, who will be happy to help.