In the production of furniture and some finishing materials, innovative particle boards are used. Outwardly, they are similar to laminated chipboard, but they have their differences in terms of safety and durability. Before purchasing, you should study everything about MDF: what it is, the advantages of the material and where it is used.
MDF sheet panels Source images.fordaq.com
How to distinguish MDF from chipboard?
First, let's figure out how these names are deciphered. MDF is a fine wood fraction, and chipboard is a laminated chipboard. Both are made from wood waste, but the properties of these materials are different. Chipboard is made from larger chips. Therefore, to distinguish it from MDF, it is enough to look at the cut and pay attention to the structure. If you clearly see sawdust there, you have chipboard in front of you.
The production technology consists of 4 stages:
- The first stage is the preparation of raw materials. To produce MDF, round logs are used, the bark is removed from them using special equipment, chopped into small chips, sorted, washed, removing dirt, sand and pebbles, and heated with steam.
- In the second stage, the fibers are prepared. In the refiner, the material is crushed, the resulting mass is dried and receives a mass of equal moisture content, after which the air is drawn out of it.
- The third stage is pre-compression. The fibers are processed on a special forming machine, where the plate is formed. It is leveled, pre-weighed and pre-pressed, thereby losing air.
- The final stage. Last pressing. The slab goes through the main press, from which the finished MDF strip comes out. It is further cut and cooled for half an hour.
Chipboard production? How to define quality?
To produce chipboard, sawdust and shavings are compressed and impregnated with formaldehyde resins for gluing, and the resulting board is usually laminated with melamine film.
The letter “L” at the beginning of the abbreviation indicates that the chipboard is laminated. The film not only protects the slab from moisture and other external influences, but also prevents the release of formaldehyde into the external environment. There is a safety classification for laminated chipboards based on the concentration of formaldehyde:
- E1 – formaldehyde emission class, considered safe for furniture production (this board is made according to European standards;)
- Class E2 - strictly prohibited for use in the production of children's furniture;
- Class E 0.5 – also complies with European quality standards. However, its use is not always necessary, since the film prevents the evaporation of the harmful compound;
- E 3 – strictly prohibited for use in production.
When buying furniture, be sure to ask the seller about the safety class and ask for certificates.
List of chipboard manufacturers by region of Russia
| Business name | Type of equipment | Year of equipment commissioning | Project capacity |
| Northwestern Federal District | 770 | ||
| Vologda Region | 450 | ||
| LLC "Monzenskiy DOK" | Rauma-Repola | 1974 | 140 |
| CJSC "Cherepovets FMK" | SP-25 | 1964 | 90 |
| LLC "Sheksninsky KDP" | Rauma-Repola | 1980 | 220 |
| Novgorod region | 300 | ||
| (Novgorod) | Simpelkamp | 2005 | 300 |
| Komi Republic | 210 | ||
| JSC "Zheshartsky Federal Plant" | SP-25 | 1966 | 70 |
| LLC "Syktyvkar Federal Plant" | Rauma-Repola | 1976 | 140 |
| Leningrad region | 110 | ||
| LLC "Intrust" Nevskaya Dubrovka | Bizon | 1994 | 110 |
| Republic of Karelia | 110 | ||
| OJSC "Karelia DSP" Medvezhyegorsk | Bizon | 2001 | 110 |
| Central Federal District | 1074 | ||
| Moscow region | 650 | ||
| OJSC MK "Shatura" | SP-25 | 1965 | 100 |
| OJSC "MEZ DSP and D" | SP-25, Bizon | 1962, 1997 | 330 |
| JSC "Skhodnya-plitprom" | Bizon | 1996 | 110 |
| CJSC "EZ DSP" Sergiev Posad | Bizon | 1994 | 110 |
| Moscow | 110 | ||
| LLC "DSP" | Bizon | 1991 | 110 |
| Ivanovo region | 250 | ||
| Simpelkamp | 250 | ||
| Bryansk region | 110 | ||
| OJSC "Dyatkovo DOZ" | SP-25 | 1965 | 110 |
| Vladimir region | 80 | ||
| JSC "Murom" | SP-25 | 1964 | 80 |
| Kostroma region | 252 | ||
| JSC "Fanplit" Kostroma | SP-25 | 1963 | 100 |
| Kronostar LLC, Sharya | Dieffenbacher | 2003 | 150 |
| Tver region | 70 | ||
| JSC "MDOC" Vyshny Volochek | SP-25 | 1973 | 70 |
| Smolensk region | 250 | ||
| CJSC Igorevsky Chipboard Plant | Rauma-Repola | 1981 | 250 |
| Kaluga region | 80 | ||
| CJSC "Plitspichprom" | Bizon | 2003 | 80 |
| Southern Federal District | 330 | ||
| Krasnodar region | 110 | ||
| JSC "YUG" | SP-25 | 1962 | 110 |
| Volgograd region | 110 | ||
| CJSC RNP "Volgogradmebel" | SP-25 | 1962 | 110 |
| Rostov region | 90 | ||
| OJSC "Volgodonsk KDP" | Bizon | 1990 | 90 |
| Volga Federal District | 455 | ||
| Nizhny Novgorod Region | 50 | ||
| CJSC "Nizhny Novgorod DOZ" | SP-25 | 1964 | 50 |
| Kirov region | 75 | ||
| OJSC "Novovyatsky LK" | Becker Van Hyllen | 1962 | 75 |
| Republic of Bashkortostan | 40 | ||
| OJSC "Ufa FPK" | Becker Van Hyllen | 1961 | 40 |
| Udmurt republic | 110 | ||
| Uvadrev LLC | Bizon | 1994 | 110 |
| Perm region | 180 | ||
| Chipboard plant in Trekhgorny village | Bizon | 80 | |
| CJSC "Perm FC" | SP-25, SP-35 | 1966, 1973 | 160 |
| Ural federal district | 195 | ||
| Sverdlovsk region | 83 | ||
| OJSC "Tavdinsky FC" | SP-25 | 1969 | 90 |
| CJSC "Fankom" p. V. Sinyachikha | Simpelkamp | 260 | |
| Tyumen region | 110 | ||
| JSC DOK "Red October" Tyumen | SP-25 | 1963 | 110 |
| Republic of Bashkortostan | 40 | ||
| Siberian Federal District | 360 | ||
| Krasnoyarsk region | 90 | ||
| CJSC "Krasnoyarsk DOK" | SP-25 | 1965 | 90 |
| Irkutsk region | 160 | ||
| OJSC "Ust-Ilimsky DZ" | Raute 2 lines | 1980 | 160 |
| Tomsk region | 110 | ||
| OJSC "Tomsk Chipboard Plant" | Rauma-Repola | 1980 | 110 |
| Far Eastern Federal District | 80 | ||
| Khabarovsk region | 80 | ||
| OJSC "Amur MDK" | Raute | 1989 | 80 |
How is MDF made? How to define quality?
To produce MDF, wood is crushed, dried and pressed.
Lignite, a natural substance found in wood, binds wood particles together instead of resins. There are practically no formaldehydes in MDF, and in terms of chemical safety the material is as close as possible to natural wood. For protection, PVC film, veneer or enamel is applied to it. The photo below shows the EGGER chipboard we use in production:
Suitable for whom and when?
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The kitchen can be gray like concrete, light pastel colors, or bright saturated colors. The choice is yours. You can look at the photo, look at the catalogs of different manufacturers, and then make a decision.
Regarding the use of laminated chipboard for kitchen furniture, there are several situations when choosing this material will be optimal. This is my opinion, although I am sure many will agree with me.
- Temporary furniture
. If your home is being renovated, and you don’t have enough money for an expensive kitchen, but you managed to purchase high-quality household appliances, you can wait a while with the furniture. Save up your money and buy the best option. In the meantime, you can get by with an inexpensive kit. Then it is easy to sell it and gain additional funds; - Neat people
. Laminated chipboard requires more careful care to prevent accidental destructive processes. That is, it is important to remove stains and remove dirt in a timely manner. If you are a neat person or do not cook often, then a kitchen made from chipboard will be an excellent choice; - Those who like to change the interior
. Being someone who loves a change of scenery, it makes no sense to spend money on expensive MDF or wood facades. It is much better to take a beautiful version of laminated chipboard.
Speaking of service life. I didn't specifically include it in the advantages or disadvantages category.
It is believed that such a kitchen made of laminated chipboard lasts 5-7 years without any changes in the original properties. Then deformation processes can gradually begin. The films come off and the color is lost.
But in fact, the service life can be increased. Due to care, purchase of furniture with better quality coating.
Here I would recommend the Egger company. They have a wide selection of decors. Plus, they assemble sets based on high-density laminated chipboard. The quality of their coverage is top notch. Don't worry, it's not an advertisement. And purely conclusions based on personal experience.
What is stronger - MDF or chipboard?
MDF is denser not only than chipboard, but also solid wood.
This material is not afraid of high humidity, so it is suitable for use in the bathroom or kitchen. MDF is a more flexible material, so furniture of complex, streamlined shapes is made from it. It is also good for deep milling and drawings due to its fine structure and high density. Chipboard is less durable than solid wood and MDF. It is not recommended to use it in bathrooms and kitchens, since moisture can seep inside through cuts and peelings on the film. This causes swelling, change in shape and further reduces strength.
Differences
What is the difference? A facade based on chipboard for a kitchen is less profitable than MDF.
MDF facades are:
- painted;
- with plastic coating.
A veneered façade is an MDF base coated with a thin layer of wood from the catalog and coated with varnish, matte or glossy.
In terms of technical characteristics, it is inferior to a painted facade, but at the same cost. It is necessary to apply veneer on both sides. In this case, its technical dimensions are preserved.
Applying veneer on one side is cheaper. But then, during operation, after 1-2 years the facade may bend. A well-painted façade is not cheap. Can be painted on either one or both sides . This does not affect its functionality and technical characteristics.
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What is cheaper than MDF or chipboard and why?
MDF is one and a half to two times more expensive than chipboard, and is used for the premium and luxury segments. Economy segment products are always made from laminated chipboard. The final cost of the product may be influenced by the finishing material. The most budget-friendly ones are PVC film and sheet plastic; enamel is somewhat more expensive. The most expensive finish is natural veneer.
Distinctive characteristics of the panels
MDF board, the abbreviation of which sounds like a finely dispersed fraction made from sawdust by pressing under high pressure. The smallest particles are used in its production. It differs from other similar materials in its fundamentally new adhesive composition, which includes natural resins such as paraffin and lignin. This increases the density, strength and moisture resistance of the material.
MDF is a highly flexible board, which allows it to be used to create attractive carved furniture fronts and other curved products.
Their production differs from simple lamination in that it allows you to simultaneously cover the front and side parts of furniture elements or other finishing products. In the process of cladding the slabs, the finished slab is covered with a finishing layer.
To the question of what kind of MDF material this is, there is a simple answer - it is a unique product with many advantages. Among them:
- Environmental Safety. It does not emit harmful substances, therefore it is widely used even for children's furniture.
- Strength. This characteristic of the material allows you to make wide shelves and curved elements of the furniture facade.
Wide window sills and shelves made of MDF Source www.riko.ua
- Good performance. MDF boards are resistant to conditions of high humidity, as well as changes in room temperature, mold, harmful microorganisms and fungi.
- Acceptable price. Taking into account all the existing advantages, the cost of MDF, in comparison with materials made from natural wood, is low.
The high-quality surface of the material makes it look like solid natural wood.
So how to choose the material for your furniture?
Here is our memo in the form of simple theses:
- Laminated chipboard is perfect for the living room and hallway. Just make sure that the stove is of high quality. Request a certificate confirming the class of the slab.
- The combination of chipboard and MDF is suitable for children's bedrooms and bedrooms, but the rule is the same: the material must be of high quality, and the product must be well glued, including edges and joints.
- For the kitchen and bathroom, it is better to choose MDF: in these rooms it is most often exposed to changes in temperature and humidity.
Choosing the optimal countertop
In order for the chosen countertop for the kitchen to delight the inhabitants of the apartment for many years, it must meet the following basic requirements:
- aesthetics, sophistication and compliance with the overall interior of the room;
- compatibility with the area of the room, as well as furniture and apron;
- strength and reliability, guaranteeing the use of the product for many years;
- practicality, allowing you to easily wash the kitchen countertop;
- moderation in price;
- resistance to water, moisture, food and cleaning agents;
- compliance with the preferences and requirements of the inhabitants of the apartment or house.
The surface of the kitchen countertop can be glossy or matte. But the matte version is considered more durable, although it is not as beautiful and bright.
In addition, it is important to choose the correct size of the product. Manufacturers make kitchen countertops in several sizes. Thus, the usual slab thickness is 28 mm, but surfaces with a thickness of 26 and 38 mm are also popular. The width of such products can be 600, 900 or even 1200 mm, and the length can be 3050 mm. However, if you wish, you can always order an individual production of a kitchen countertop with the most suitable parameters, although this will require large expenses.
Thus, laminated chipboard differs from chipboard only in the additional layer of paper plastic. It is the top protective layer that makes the laminated board more reliable and durable. Therefore, if the apartment owner is primarily interested in the quality of the kitchen countertop, then he should choose laminated chipboard. If the lower cost of the material is of fundamental importance, then it is better to choose chipboard, which also has many advantages.
Recommendations for caring for kitchen furniture
A lot of grease and dust settle on kitchen surfaces, so they need constant care. The headset should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.
You need to care for the furniture carefully so as not to damage the coating. Designers recommend following certain rules to achieve maximum lifespan of the headset.
Tips for caring for kitchen furniture:
- Do not use abrasive detergents, soda, solvents, or hard tools for cleaning.
- To remove oily or stubborn stains, use substances with ammonia.
- Wooden and laminated surfaces are cleaned with a soft cloth, onto which a neutral product is applied.
- For shine, facades are rubbed with compounds containing beeswax.
- Special aerosols are used to clean wooden furniture. There is also a dry cleaning method using a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment.
- The varnished surface needs protection from direct exposure to sunlight.
- Kitchen furniture should not be wiped with a damp cloth.
- The interior surfaces of the drawers are cleaned with a cloth moistened with a small amount of cleaning agent.
- Aluminum profiles are cleaned with liquid detergents or denatured alcohol.
- Make sure that there is no accumulation of water on kitchen surfaces, otherwise the plastic will swell and the panels may come off.
Manufacturers offer a wide range of kitchen furniture. When choosing products, you should rely on your preferences and tastes. The differences in the characteristics of the materials are insignificant, and both options are excellent for making a high-quality and beautiful kitchen set.
Plastic – features of use in headsets
Plastic facades are in great demand because they are practical and relatively low cost. This coating is characterized by good moisture resistance and mechanical resistance, and also does not deform from exposure to high temperatures. The choice of material for a kitchen where you often cook should be made in favor of plastic facades, since caring for them will not be difficult.
When choosing between film-coated MDF or plastic on chipboard, you need to understand that film materials are easily scratched and react negatively to elevated temperatures. If for some reason the film comes off, you won’t be able to reattach it and you will have to replace the door.
