How to decorate doors with MDF panels yourself

A beautiful front door can transform any interior. If chosen correctly, it can successfully emphasize the advantages of the design and give it stylistic completeness. Even the most expensive and durable steel door without upholstery or trim is unlikely to make an impression. The front door is always visible and attracts attention, so you need to choose its color and shape wisely.

The MDF overlay panel is a modern finishing material and is used for decorative cladding of the entrance door. It is a ready-made sheet of material that is easily but firmly attached to the plane of an iron or wooden door.

Examples of completed work

Advantages of MDF panels:

• strength and durability;
• resistance to light and moisture;
• the panel looks great in any interior;
• panels are affordable;
• MDF does not contain harmful resins and phenol.

MDF door panels do not fade over time and retain their original color for a long time. They can withstand mechanical stress, are easy to clean, and will not be scratched by pets.

In addition, when finishing a door with an MDF panel in our company, you can order additional sound, heat and noise insulation using modern materials.

Facade installation

Not so long ago, the interior of entrance doors was lined only with leatherette, and it was difficult to imagine other materials. Now you can use more modern methods of decorating the entrance, namely the use of wood fiber raw materials that can be laminated. The cost is a little more than leatherette, but the result and practicality are several times better.

Tools for finishing the front door

Finishing the front door opening with MDF panels is easy to do with your own hands and to do this you need to follow the following algorithm:

• Initially, you need to remove the old coating from the doors and thoroughly clean the surface.
• It is necessary to remove the lock from the steel door, as well as all possible fittings that are used.
• The cleaned metal should be treated with an anti-corrosion compound to avoid problems in the future.

Entrance door measurement diagram

• Next, you need to take measurements of the door and transfer them to the MDF panel sheet. Then cut everything to size and make the necessary holes in the MDF panel for the lock and fittings.
• You can begin installing the MDF panel itself on the door, using a special glue that is applied to the overlay. In several places for reliable fixation, the MDF panel must be fixed with self-tapping screws, but it is important to choose the required size so that they do not appear on the back side of the door.
• Now the lock and other accessories are installed in reverse order.

Installing MDF slopes
As you can see, finishing metal entrance doors with MDF panels with your own hands is not a difficult task and can be done in a few hours. The design does not end there, because you still need to design the jamb, install trims and complete work with the doorway to transform the appearance.

Installation of MDF panels

MDF panels are suitable for any type of steel and wooden doors. You can replace the old MDF panel with a new one at any time.

As a rule, when installing an MDF panel, the door itself does not need to be removed. All work is carried out almost without noise, dust and dirt. The MDF panel is attached with self-tapping screws or special glue. Installation takes very little time: within 2-3 hours you will be admiring the new upholstery of your door.

DorLokService guarantees its clients free visit of a specialist and fair prices.

Turnkey installation!

All work carried out by our craftsmen is carried out on a turnkey basis. This means that we will take measurements ourselves, advise you about the panels and help you choose, and we will bring the panel to the site. Next, we ourselves will dismantle the old panels, install new ones, as well as finish the doorway (extensions, trim).

After our work, your front door will look much more interesting! In addition, we can also immediately carry out repair work on the door or locks, and your door will be like new!

What materials are used

Door linings made of MDF are not inferior in strength to solid wood. This is achieved through the use of a special resin when gluing the panel.

Various materials can be used in the production of MDF overlays:

• natural veneer of valuable wood species, treated with Italian matte varnish with the ability to choose any color scheme;
• ship wear-resistant plywood, treated with veneer;
• PVC film in “economy”, “standard” or “premium” versions (differing in texture, thickness and color);
• glossy PVC film, giving the door a mirror shine and the effect of a varnished surface;
• Israeli film Winorit, imitating solid wood of valuable species;
• RAL MDF panels coated with Italian polyurethane paint ICSAM and a palette of more than 200 colors;
• anti-vandal impact-resistant plastic that can withstand temperatures up to +300C and aggressive environments (chemicals, burning cigarettes, pets).

Installation of slopes

Before covering the slopes with MDF panels, you will need to seal all the cracks and holes in the wall, and also remove the remaining foam. After preparing the slopes, installation of MDF panels will look like this:

• It is necessary to install wooden planks on the edges of the opening using a level. They will serve as guides.
• Next, the platband is applied to the slope to measure the width of the future workpiece. When measuring, you need to take into account that you will need to place decorative molding on the edges under the two trims.

Installing door slopes

• Now you need to cut the panel for the upper part and install it with screws to the upper guide strips.
• By analogy, each side of the opening is made.
• Then a decorative corner is installed; as a rule, plastic is used in the color of the trim.
• The casing is installed, you can even use the old one, but if it doesn’t look good on the outside, then you need to restore it or buy new ones.
• The joint of the panels is covered with a decorative molding; depending on the size, it can be small or medium in size.
• If there are small gaps between the slopes, then filling can be done using wood putty.

At this point, the slopes of the MDF entrance door are ready, and to make the work easier, you can use cardboard as a template, which will be used to cut out the panels. In the photo you can see the final result of the work carried out:

Entrance door finished with MDF panel

Doors with MDF finishing are considered the most convenient material for decorating an entrance. As the reviews show, all people are satisfied with this design. To get a detailed look at the work process, you can watch a video in which the master will be able to show in detail the step-by-step execution of the cladding:

Additional possibilities when finishing doors with MDF panels

By ordering door upholstery from our company, you can additionally take advantage of the following services:

• milling (drawing) on ​​a panel from more than 100 options or according to your own sketch;
• installing a mirror on the surface of the panel;
• noise, heat and sound insulation of doors using mineral wool;
• individual color scheme in accordance with your sketch.

We are ready to make any wish for the appearance of your new door come true! You can see examples of completed work and modernization of old doors in our work section.

The order of work when replacing the MDF lining

Inspect the canvas, and if you have structurally provided fastening corners (bending), it is important to understand how they are dismantled, if from the lock side - good, if from the top/bottom, then you will have to remove the door from the hinges. Prepare the canvas, partially (in the places where the glue is applied) clean the surface from paint, glue, rust, then degrease the metal surface, possibly additionally coating with anti-corrosion primer for better adhesion. Try on the MDF overlay, and if it fits in size, apply the adhesive and press it to the canvas using clamps for fixation. Then you begin to prepare the holes for the handles, cylinder, and peephole, after which you remove the clamps and, if necessary, perform the same steps to replace the panel from the inside, after which the removed fittings are put in place and the sash is hung on the hinges. It may be necessary to replace the seal and adjust the tightness of the fabric to the box.

Additional decor

For additional decoration, you can attach a mirror sheet to the door on the inside. It's not just decor. A mirror at the entrance is very convenient, because you can look at yourself before going outside. A mirror in the hallway will help to visually enlarge the space.

For self-assembly, choose lightweight panels, because factory-made doors with a built-in mirror often use a mirror film instead of real glass. The canvas is attached only to a solid base using special fasteners or “liquid nails”. You need to choose a specialized glue, which is marked “for glass and mirrors.” The canvas can be full height or only in the upper part. Make sure that when opening the door, the mirror does not hit anything.

The door is like a business card of your home; people who come by it begin to form an impression of you. If it is in poor condition, this is not an argument in favor of the owner of the house. A door doesn’t have to be beautiful or creative, but many people want to make it neat and well-groomed.

Prices for modern doors are affordable, although they cannot be called low, so upholstering or reupholstering them with a new coating is much easier than purchasing a whole door. The advice and instructions received will allow you to step-by-step replace the door trim without resorting to hiring craftsmen.

Leatherette covering

Many associate leatherette with the decoration of entrance doors from the distant “pre-perestroika” times. It seemed fashionable, beautiful, practical - I wiped it with a rag and that was it. Only over time it became clear that the material was becoming rougher, fading and cracking, the foam padding was sticking together and becoming unusable, losing its appearance. But, nevertheless, the material remains one of the cheapest and easiest to work with, although it is no longer produced in “Soviet” quality. Now the fabric is more modern and durable.

What distinguishes leatherette from leather substitute, vinyl leatherette? Of course, this is a fabric base, which in modern leatherettes is elastic, knitted, but in leatherette it does not stretch. Replacing old upholstery on a metal or wooden entrance door always begins with dismantling. You should immediately buy fabric. We determine the consumption by the size of the door plus thirty centimeters in width and height. This reserve is used for folding the fabric at the fastening point.

If you do not make a hem, then after a couple of years the fabric will begin to unravel where it was punched with a stapler.

If you plan to make a roller or decor, or sheath external frames, then take the fabric with a reserve. When forming a roller on a common canvas, a margin of 10 cm is needed on each side. If it will be attached separately, then we will buy 20 cm. For the sidewalls, we measure the dimensions and also add 10 cm on each side.

Leatherette is attached with a stapler to staples to plywood secured with self-tapping screws. For old-style metal doors, the cladding is done from the outside without foam rubber or insulation. The fabric is simply glued all over the canvas. If you plan to make a three-dimensional design, then buy foam rubber, decorative nails with round heads, and wire.

At the beginning of the work, they prepare the door, drill holes for the plywood, then glue the insulation and foam rubber. Next, the leatherette is tightened around the perimeter with staples. It is necessary to glue and fasten from the top edge in the center, going down synchronously on both sides. If the upholstery is carried out on both sides, then the operation must be repeated, and in this order:

1. The door is removed from its hinges and laid on the floor.
2. Remove all fittings.
3. Drill holes for installing plywood on both sides.
4. The plywood is fastened on both sides.
5. Glue the insulation on both sides.
6. Leatherette is glued on both sides.
7. The door is reinstalled.
8. The fittings, lock, and apartment number are reattached.

How to make a replacement?

Panels are attached to the row in various ways. Some models use an adhesive compound (foam, liquid nails, glue), and the overlay is fixed to the frame or stiffeners. Often MDF sheets are screwed onto self-tapping screws. The third method of fixation is through grooves and additional fastening with moldings (lock and end).

If the panel was fixed by grooves and side strips, then it is replaced in the following sequence:

1. First you need to dismantle the inner panel. First remove the seal, then unscrew the fasteners at the end and near the lock.
2. Remove the locking device and dismantle the strips.
3. Remove the old panel and put a new trim in its place.
4. Return the lock to its place, secure the bolts and screws.
5. Replace the end strip in the same way.
6. Remove the outer panel, first loosening the fixing screws. Unscrew the armor plate.
7. Make suitable holes in the new overlay, using the old panel as a guide. Place the cover into the grooves.
8. Reinstall the moldings and armor plate, then the handle.

After all these steps, you should check the functioning of the locks and handles. To better fix the outer panel so that it fits well into the grooves, you should gently tap the milk on the placed board. This must be done from the opposite edge.

Main disadvantages

There is no perfect coating that does not have any flaws.

MDF has very few disadvantages:

1. Often you come across low quality products. This is true if you buy building materials from hand, not in specialized stores. Then there is a risk that the laminate layer is too thin and not durable and will quickly wear off.
2. If the door is already outdated, does not work well, sticks, or there are problems with the functioning of the fittings, then you should think about completely replacing the structure. Still, external attractiveness comes in second place. The main function of an iron door is protection.
3. If you lack construction skills, installation problems may arise and the material will be damaged. All this will entail additional costs.

Therefore, before installing an MDF panel on an iron door, you should realistically assess your strengths. Also, we must not forget that changing (installing) the linings will lead to a change in the thickness of the sash, because of this, new fittings (handle, lock, peephole) may be needed. It should be purchased before repair work begins. If the linings are replaced with panels of similar thickness, and the fittings are in good condition, then they do not need to be changed. When MDF sheets are installed for the first time, replacing locks and handles cannot be avoided.

How to upholster a steel door with leather substitute

Covering the entrance door with leatherette is not too different from upholstery with leatherette. This work is even easier to do, since artificial leather on a knitted base is much more practical and flexible. Modern materials have a greater selection of colors. It can be mounted from the outside without fear, because it can easily withstand temperature changes and direct rays of light, maintaining the brightness of the color.

The sheathing process is completely similar to working with leatherette if you lay insulation or foam rubber. If the skin needs to be fixed directly to the door, then coat the surface with glue and pull the material on both sides. You can choose one color for the outside and another for the inside.

Differences between dermantine and vinyl leather

The basis for dermantin is cotton fabric, which is then covered with nitrocellulose on one or both sides. This type of finish is considered the cheapest, so since Soviet times it has been in great demand. Not only entrance doors are sheathed with nitro leather, but also books, furniture, and cheap shoes and clothing are made.

Significant disadvantages of dermantine are its low decorative properties and its rapid deterioration - the material wears off, dries out and crumbles in a fairly short time. In addition, the nitrocellulose coating has an average level of elasticity, which is not very convenient to use.

Trying to increase the elastic properties of the finishing material, manufacturers began to use knitwear and easily stretchable non-woven materials as a base. Changes have also been made to the coating - now more stable polymer solutions are applied, for example, polyvinyl chloride and polyacetate. The resulting material was called vinyl leather.

Modern technologies, by impregnating the material in several liquid polymer compositions, have made it possible to make vinyl leather more dense and resistant to:

• Stretching;
• Wear;
• Temperature changes;
• moisture;
• Mechanical damage;
• Pollution;
• Excesses.

High-tech equipment rolls the resulting substitute, giving it a variety of textures, shades and patterns. Vinyl leather has a pleasant-to-touch surface that is easy to clean.

The downside is that the vinyl is more likely to be easily cut or scratched. Such damage cannot be completely eliminated - the gluing or patch will clearly stand out against the general background. A complete upholstery replacement will be required. Also, this leather substitute under prolonged exposure to sunlight becomes rough, cracks and loses color. Therefore, it is not recommended for finishing the outside of the front door.

How to install panels yourself?

Carrying out repair work with your own efforts is not difficult if you adhere to the sequence of their implementation. Before replacing the panels, you should prepare the following tools: screwdriver, screwdriver, hammer. You also need consumables and fasteners: drills, screws and self-tapping screws.

The procedure for replacing MDF panels is as follows:

1. Remove the sash from its hinges. Place it on a horizontal surface (table, stools, floor). This will make it much more convenient to work. If it is not possible to remove the canvas from the canopies, then the panels are installed on a vertical sash.
2. Remove all fittings: remove the lock and handles, armor plates, and so on.
3. Clean the sash from dust and contaminants, then degrease. This is necessary for a good fit of the linings to the metal. You can additionally cover the sash with vinyl film.
4. Make holes for fasteners around the entire perimeter of the canvas. The step between them should be 10-12 cm. You can place the holes in a specific pattern.
5. Apply adhesive to make the pads stick better. Liquid nails or special polyurethane foam are suitable for this purpose.
6. Secure the panels with self-tapping screws. Hats can be left visible if this is suggested by the design (pattern) or hidden inside the canvas. The length of the screws should be sufficient, but not excessive: they should not stitch through the door and spoil the appearance of the sash.
7. Install all the fittings: locks, door handle, peephole.

Replacing an MDF panel on a metal door from the inside and outside is no different. Is it worth using more glue for exterior finishing, and drilling holes for self-tapping screws along the very edge of the sash. After installing the decorative covering in this place, you should glue a layer of rubber seal to remove drafts.

Coloring

Painted doors installed indoors look no less modern. A high-quality door base and inexpensive enamel coating make it possible to purchase a stylish design that can transform your home space. The paint used to decorate products is of the following types:

• Nitro paint - durable and strong, but toxic while it dries
• Alkyd enamel - has a low cost, excellent performance characteristics, but the smell after painting lasts for several days
• Acrylic paint - provides the optimal combination of quality and harmlessness, but requires the application of acrylic varnish for additional strength of the enamel, is the most expensive option

The finished structure, covered with enamel, together with installation will cost 5,500 rubles. The color scheme may vary.

Belongs to the category of natural finishing materials. Thin sheets of wood, called veneer, are glued to the frame. This finishing of interior doors can compete with wooden structures, however, the price of a veneered product will be significantly lower. Their advantages include:

• Moisture and heat resistance
• Environmental friendliness
• Richness of color and texture
• Increased wear resistance

The cost of the simplest veneered product with installation will be approximately 7,000 rubles.

If you ask yourself what is better, eco-veneer or natural veneer, then at a price one and a half times lower, artificial turf shows the same technological and aesthetic properties as natural veneer.