Chipboard and MDF are common abbreviations. Let's try to figure out what they mean and, most importantly, how they differ from each other. After all, chipboard and MDF are considered the most popular materials used for the production of doors, cabinet furniture and other structures.

Definition

Chipboard- chipboard. It is formed by flat hot pressing of wood particles (sawdust and shavings) impregnated with a binder, mainly formaldehyde resins. The raw material for the production of chipboard is low-value wood, as hardwood, and conifers. Chipboard is characterized by increased strength, water resistance, excellent heat and sound insulation properties. Used in furniture industry, however, due to the formaldehyde resins it contains, it is not recommended for the production of children's furniture.

MDF is a medium-density fibreboard, for the production of which very fine particles are used. sawdust. Fiber boards are formed from waste wood or wood destined for felling, which are ground into small cubes, then treated with high pressure steam, and fed to the disks of the grating machine. The wiped material is sent for drying and subsequent gluing. Wood particles are glued together with paraffin or lignin, so MDF is exclusively eco-friendly material. MDF is widely used for doors, furniture, laminate flooring and moldings. The surface of MDF boards is smooth, uniform, even, dense, easy to process.

Comparison

The most important difference between chipboard and MDF is the technology of their production. MDF, unlike chipboard, is made by dry pressing of small wood chips under high pressure and temperature. For the production of chipboard, the hot pressing method is used. For the formation of chipboard, low-value tree species are used, while for MDF production use scraps of woodworking or wood intended for felling.

Fine chips are glued together with paraffin or lignin, and when chipboard production Synthetic resins are used to glue chips. Thus, MDF, unlike particle boards, is considered environmentally friendly. pure material, which in its own way environmental performance close to natural wood. Chipboard during operation releases formaldehyde into the air (a rather toxic substance). Fiberboard products can be used in rooms with air humidity up to 80% ( wooden crafts– up to 60%).

Findings site

1. MDF is produced by dry pressing of small chips under high temperature and pressure, chipboard - by hot pressing.
2. For chipboard manufacturing low-value tree species are used, for the production of MDF - woodworking trimmings or wood intended for felling.
3. MDF is an environmentally friendly material, and chipboard emits formaldehyde into the air during operation.
4. MDF, unlike chipboard, can be used in rooms with high humidity(up to 80%).

In the 21st century, chipboard furniture is in great consumer demand. Chipboard is a unique invention of the German entrepreneur Max Himmelheber. that made life ordinary people comfortable and allowed to save up to 60% of the wood that was recycled. It's not only concern for people with average incomes, but also an exemplary example of careful attitude to natural resources.

Furniture factories have been producing cabinet, upholstered and kitchen furniture for a long time. furniture made of laminated chipboard, CDSP and MDF. These materials, in some characteristics, have properties similar to natural wood, and in some parameters even surpass it.

Furniture from laminated chipboard

Chipboard is laminated chipboard. With the help of lamination, chipboard improves its properties: it becomes more durable and water resistant, which cannot be said about ordinary chipboard.

Furniture from KDSP

KDSP is laminated chipboard. The difference between laminated chipboard and CDSP is only in the application technology decorative coating: when laminating, it is glued to the chipboard, and when laminating, it is created during pressing due to chemical processes and is inseparable from the base board. Operational properties and characteristics are the same, but Chipboard is the most moisture resistant. Therefore, KDSP is much cheaper than both chipboard and MDF.

MDF furniture

MDF is finely dispersed fraction of a tree. The structure of MDF is more homogeneous, andTwice as strong as chipboard . And it behaves better in a humid environment, more resistant to fire. But the cost is more expensive than chipboard.

Pros and cons of furniture made of chipboard and furniture made of MDF

Chipboard and MDF - modern materials which have both their pros and cons. Consider the operational properties of the main parameters - moisture resistance, safety, strength, aesthetics, cost.

moisture resistance

The structure of laminated chipboard is more susceptible to moisture penetration than MDF. Why is this happening? Due to the density of the plates, but this does not mean at all that MDF is not at all afraid of moisture.

Safety

Chipboard is more toxic than MDF. The concentration of formaldehydes (E 240) in chipboard is higher, but in MDF formaldehyde are also present. Permissible and safe material for the manufacture of furniture are plates that comply with GOST 10632-2014. When choosing furniture for your home, keep in mind that the Russian GOST has much higher requirements than the European one. So it is better to give preference to Russian-made furniture. Furniture factories with which our online store cooperates have ALL certificates of quality and safety. Certificates can be found on official websites, for example Stolline, or by contacting us, we will send or provide them upon request.

Strength

MDF has a density 2 times higher than that of chipboard. MDF can be milled, make inclined holes. The material "holds" fasteners better.

Aesthetics

Color solutions for both MDF and chipboard are on the same niche - any color is possible, at the request of the client. As for curves and shapes, it is only from MDF that curved facades can be made.

Price

MDF is noticeably more expensive, due to the quality parameters of the material. However, judging by the service life, MDF lasts longer than laminated chipboard.

In this article we will answer the most frequently asked questions when choosing cabinet furniture. And the most basic of them is what to choose, chipboard or MDF. To begin with, let's deal with the production technology, because. the key differences come precisely because of this.

chipboard- laminated chipboard. It is produced by gluing large chips, therefore it has a heterogeneous structure. Known since Soviet times, when it was widely used for mass production standard furniture, which stood in every second apartment. Now it can be of two classes - E1 and E2. The first is considered safer, because. in its composition, the amount of formaldehyde is minimized.

MDF/MDF- Medium Density Fibreboard or Medium Density Fiberboard. Manufactured by compression molding high temperatures. Consists of smaller wood fibers than laminated chipboard. Paraffin and lignin are used to bind the composition, which makes the plates absolutely safe for health.

Which is better: chipboard or MDF

There is no single answer to this question, because materials differ in several basic parameters. Let's consider some of them.

Price

Furniture made from chipboard is much cheaper than from competitive raw materials. This is due to several factors. Firstly, chipboard is a more common option, which means that its production has long been put on stream in many factories. Secondly, the processing of raw materials is less expensive, because. does not require special preparation. The finely dispersed fraction of the tree requires a more careful approach. This includes special equipment that dries the fibers, and pressing machines that need big square industrial premises.

Currently, cabinet furniture is rarely made only from MDF, because the final product will cost a fabulous amount. Most often it is used for facades where more elegant carving is needed. A side walls, often made from chipboard, and the back ones are completely made of plywood.

Appearance

The structure of MDF is more pliable in terms of finishing, which means that it can be given any shape. That is, carved headboards or cabinet fronts will look more like natural wood. Moreover, there are products that at first glance cannot be distinguished from wood. Of course, it will cost more (see point 1), but it looks more respectable than chipboard furniture.

However, furniture made of laminated board is more variable in terms of colors, because the film covering it can have not only any color, but also imitate the color natural wood. Of course, it is more difficult to give it a texture, so the coating simply copies the shade very accurately.

Safety

MDF is a more modern material, which means that the technology for its production has been worked out to the smallest detail. Manufacturers, competing with each other, are trying to apply innovative technologies that every year make products safer for use in residential and children's areas.

However, chipboard manufacturers are not far behind, and also use new developments that make their products quite competitive. Every year the amount of resins and formaldehydes in the composition decreases, which means that the safety of such plates also increases. At a higher cost, it is still worth giving preference to class E1 chipboard, especially if you plan to install this furniture at home, and not in a public place.

wear resistance

The durability of the material depends not only on its composition, but also on the operating conditions. For example, in the kitchen and bathroom, any furniture can be deformed under the influence of moisture and temperature changes. The microclimate in the room also affects the service life, which, in turn, can differ in winter and summer.

Equally important is the processing technology and edge material. Modern factories use such types of processing as postforming and softforming. There are no fundamental differences between them, just the first one is used for products of a simple shape. The laminating film wraps around the product and glues absolutely hermetically to the edge.

The softforming method also involves special processing of the edge, its cut is rounded on front side, which makes furniture corners safer for small children. Both of these methods prevent moisture from entering the edges and inside the slab, which means it will not swell or deform. Both of these methods are great for kitchen cabinets and bathroom furniture.

Materials that can be used to process the edge of products that are not intended for wet rooms can be:

• Acrylic
• Aluminum bezel

They do not protect very well from water ingress, but they affect the final cost of the product. Unlike the first two methods, these options are less expensive, but they can add zest to appearance furniture. Contrasting or metallic finish looks interesting and extraordinary.

As for the wear resistance of MDF and chipboard, the first option is considered more durable. But due to the high cost, it makes sense to use it only on furniture facades, and make the rest of the array from chipboard. Moreover, the closet in the bedroom is unlikely to be subject to frequent moisture ingress.

Summing up our article, we can say: before giving preference to one or another material, you need to decide in what conditions the furniture will be used. Kitchen sets it is better to choose with MDF facades with softforming or postforming edge processing. And for a simple dresser or cabinet, a more budgetary chipboard with an acrylic or aluminum edge is quite suitable.

Wood slabs are successfully used both for construction and for creating packaging, decor and furniture. And most often for home improvement, it is chipboard or MDF that is chosen. Which is better for furniture cannot be said for sure, as their roles are somewhat different. However, an assessment of their advantages and disadvantages will help determine which option is better to choose for certain purposes.

Terminology

chipboard (chipboard) or particle boards obtained by hot pressing of small chips and sawdust. The binder is a resin containing in its composition a large number of formaldehyde hazardous to human health. In Russia, low-quality chipboards are often found, the content harmful substances in which 40 times exceeds the allowable. good stove from the bad one can often be distinguished by the smell - the more pronounced it is, the worse the product.

V furniture production actively use laminated chipboard (LDSP). For its manufacture, the surface of the chip sheet is covered with a melamine film that imitates the texture and color of natural wood or simply has a single color.

MDF (MDF) is a medium density fibreboard. In English, its name sounds like "medium density fiberboards", which is why a very common abbreviation appeared. MDF has a more even texture, because it consists of small, almost dusty particles. The binder for them is carbamide resins, the formaldehyde emission of which corresponds to class E1 according to the European scale of safety for wood-based materials. The coating for MDF in furniture production is usually paint, veneer, plastic film or hard plastic.

Main differences

Performance characteristics, advantages and disadvantages - this is what they look at first before buying chipboard or MDF. What is best for furniture will help decide short review main features of competitors:

1. Density and strength. These characteristics for chipboard are different, depending on its belonging to a particular group. The density of the chip sheet can vary from 350 to 650 kg/m3. MDF has a more stable indicator - on average from 720 to 870 kg / m3. This indicates the greater strength of the fiberboard. Thanks to high density MDF has good moisture resistance, surpassing even some types of wood in this indicator.
2. The environmental friendliness we mentioned earlier. In terms of safety, MDF is comparable to natural wood, which cannot be said about chipboard.
3. appearance and manufacturability. Chipboards have a fairly embossed surface, so the application of a decorative coating on them is preceded by careful grinding. Otherwise, the texture will be bumpy. The MDF surface immediately after production looks smooth and has no noticeable flaws. Even the thinnest decor (for example, a polymer film) is glued onto it perfectly evenly.
4. Treatment. Chipboard does not lend itself to fine decoration - even small roundings on the plate are often impossible to cut without chipping. Therefore, its scope is often limited to hidden elements. upholstered furniture or body frame. MDF is more malleable, so it is most often used to create custom carved facades. Minimal rounding, a beautiful bend and the finest pattern - a wood-fiber sheet is subject to absolutely any milling.

About the pros and cons of chipboard

Despite the apparent superiority of MDF over its competitor, both materials have something to boast about. First, let's talk about chipboard.

Its advantages:

• Availability. Finding chipboard with almost any decor and texture is not difficult. Both domestic and foreign factories are engaged in its production.
• Price. It is at least 1.5 times lower than the cost of MDF. Low price makes this material the leader in sales in the construction and furniture market.
• Moisture resistant. This item applies to laminated chipboard. It is also worth paying attention to the special moisture-resistant chipboard used to create kitchen worktops.

Flaws

• Difficulty in multiple use. Often, when moving, you have to disassemble large-sized cabinets and assemble them in a new place. The disadvantage of chipboard is that re-twisted screws practically do not stay in their holes. To strengthen them, it is necessary to use a sealant or epoxy glue.

As we noted above, this material is environmentally friendly, durable and ideal for creating beautiful facades. Let's find out what other advantages MDF has:

• Excellent resistance to moisture and temperature changes. Even with a flood, fiberboard is able to maintain its shape for several hours.
• Long service life.
• High density and strength allow the production of sheets with a thickness of 4 to 22 mm.
• The rigid structure helps to securely hold the fittings, so that screws can be screwed into the bottom and the same hole several times.

Flaws:

• High price. Pure untreated fiberboard is 1.5 times more expensive than chipboard. Prices for a decorated MFD board are even higher - especially for coatings made of high-quality plastic or enamel.
• Softness. Prone to denting on impact. If a decor is applied to the surface, then it is unlikely that it will be possible to get rid of ugly recesses.
• Easy flammability from open flame.

When it comes to the manufacture of furnishings for the home, they first of all proceed to the choice of material - chipboard or MDF. It is difficult to say which is better for furniture, since both options have their own purpose. Chipboard is an inexpensive framing material ideal for building enclosures. MDF is expensive, beautiful and elegant facades. The right combination of materials will allow you to create the perfect furniture for home and office - strong, durable and at the same time not too expensive.