What is better mdf or chipboard. MDF kitchens: plastic options, films, enameled in kitchen design What is more expensive than MDF or chipboard

The usual first chipboard plates appeared in 1918. Thanks to the progress over the years, materials have become better, more reliable, moisture-resistant laminated boards are already available today for the production of various products. There are many types of boards made from wood. These include MDF and chipboard with different characteristics and their own characteristics.

In order for the choice of material for your own wardrobe or chest of drawers to be meaningful, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of furniture materials.

Laminated chipboard based on thermosetting polymers is the main and frequently used material for the production of mass elements environment in the industry, it is also widely used in construction. Such plates are sufficiently resistant to mechanical and chemical influences (gasoline, acetone, water, solvents, alcohol, acid, coffee and other substances). From this we can conclude that laminated chipboard is an excellent raw material for the production of medical, laboratory, educational, household and office furniture.

Due to its low cost and excellent construction chipboard properties- the most widely used material for the manufacture of economy-class furniture.

Chipboard is a material that is made on the basis of natural wood. This is the same chipboard, but whiter polished, on the surface of which there is a resistant melamine film. That is, their main difference is the coating. When it is pressed into the very structure of the board, it makes it more moisture resistant and much stronger. This is a “loose” raw material, its cost is budget, in terms of design, due to the film and coating, it is possible to achieve different colors solutions, including those with a pattern of natural wood. It is widely used in the production of cabinet products for kitchen, office, home, and other home furnishings as the main material. Stands for exhibitions, furniture for the interior of shops, pharmacies and supermarkets are made from it. With MDF, the same thing happens, but at the same time, such boards are more expensive.

Most office furniture is made from chipboard.

Chipboard lamination is carried out different colors and different textures:

fantasy vector decors;

  • geometry;
  • ornaments;
  • plain papers;
  • drawings and imitation of wood.

However, this material also has its drawbacks - these are harmful formaldehyde emissions.

Decorative film for cladding is impregnated with resin, it is made of special decorative paper with a density of 60-90 g/m2.

Lamination is the process of applying a decorative coating under the influence of pressure and temperature.

Lamination takes place in the press. In the process of pressing, the paper becomes denser, in terms of properties it is on a par with plastic. A dense layer forms on top glossy film, the bottom is the same, but of a different structure - adhesive. The coating of laminated boards is quite strong, it is formed due to the spreading of the resin over the entire surface of the chipboard at a pressure of 25-28 MPa and a temperature of 140-210°C. For production, their width cannot be less than 10 mm, but not more than 22 mm. When laminating from a chipboard, aldehyde vapors are not emitted, which are harmful to the environment.

Lamination is considered more reliable and expensive way manufacturing chipboard.

It is pressed into the structure of the plate, making it more durable and moisture resistant.

Manufacturers label the chipboard structure in different ways, but usually like this:

  • BS is office;
  • SE - tree with superficial pores;
  • SM - smooth surface;
  • MAT - matte smooth surface;
  • PR - porous structure;
  • PE - "orange peel".

Regardless of the method of application, such chipboard is called melamine-coated chipboard.

For production, the first two are most often used: BS and SE. PR - also popular but less commonly used, SM is used in production internal partitions. Other markings may occur.

It is widely used for making furniture, filling compartment doors and other interior decoration items.

Advantages and disadvantages of chipboard in furniture

To choose a good raw material for a particular furniture, you need to know its features, including the pros and cons. Any chipboard material is made from sawdust and wood chips impregnated with formaldehyde resin as a binder. Chipboard emits formaldehyde, which is bad for environment and human health, but chipboard has protective film- a laminated layer that does not allow the substance to evaporate from the boards.

Variety of colors and textures, texture imitation natural wood.

This is not plastic, not iron, but the same familiar wood.

To make a laminated film, paper of a certain texture and ornament is used. It is impregnated with melamine resin, as a result of which it becomes a certain level of rigidity and more loose. Then, under the press, the surface of the board is connected to the film - this is how a laminated sheet of standard thickness is formed.

Resistance to mechanical damage.

Chipboard is a fairly resistant material to mechanical and thermal stress with a wide range of textures and colors. It can be developed in the form of a valuable wood species. Thanks to resistance to high temperatures hot dishes can be placed on countertops made of this raw material.

Thermal resistance (to hot coffee pots and pans).

Chipboard is a material made on the basis of natural wood.

The disadvantages include the lack of the possibility of fine processing and the presence of formaldehyde resins in the composition of chipboard, and the advantages are high mechanical and chemical resistance.

Chipboard is a representative of the old well-known particle boards (chipboard) in a more polished form.

MDF furniture - what is it?

MDF is an improved technology for the production of chipboard materials. The board consists of small compressed fractions of sawdust. Thanks to this method of bonding, the material is highly durable, uniform and harmless to health. Thanks to these indicators, it can be used for the production of any furniture, including for a children's room. Its cost is slightly higher.

The main difference between laminated chipboard and chipboard is the coating. It is pressed into the structure of the board, making it more durable and moisture resistant.

The main pluses are high strength plates, uniformity, ease of processing, moisture resistance, anti-deformation ability, a wide range and beautiful design.

MDF pretty dense material- this makes it indispensable in the production of furniture that requires turning graceful lines, roundness, etc.

Minuses: high price, boards are afraid of mechanical damage and shock, are easily ignited.

MDF is an environmentally friendly material and has no restrictions on its use.

How to choose the right chipboard?

To date, there are a considerable number of chipboard for various purposes. Their differences are in thickness, composition, wear resistance, density. Such features are associated with the use of plates in different areas of production. There is a stereotype about the density of the plate. It is believed that the denser it is, the better. But it is not so. The advantage of these boards is in budget raw materials (low-grade wood). It includes thinners, slabs, slats. The main thing is that these materials meet the following standards.

  1. Chip fractions should not be small.
  2. The cross section of the chips should be square, and the shape should be petal. If these requirements are violated, the physicochemical properties finished slab deteriorate (bend and resistance suffer).

Chipboard has a wide color scheme, which is widely used in the production of cabinet furniture.

Consumers often ask questions: what kind of material is this for a bed - MDF? What is the difference between MDF and chipboard for furniture? Let's consider these nuances in more detail.

The film is paper impregnated with melamine resins, so you can often come across such a term as "melamine board".

Chipboard advantages:

  • low price;
  • does not dry out, does not exfoliate, does not grow moldy;
  • thanks to chemical additives bugs do not live in the stove;
  • service life of more than 10 years.

Advantages of MDF:

  • acceptable price for consumers with average incomes;
  • strength;
  • moisture resistance;
  • includes all of the above advantages of chipboard.

Chipboard can be washed and cleaned - it is moisture resistant.

The choice of material depends on what is planned to be made. Chipboard can be used in the manufacture of furniture intended for office, home, shop, supermarket. MDF is better to choose for children's furniture.

He is also not afraid of high temperatures.

The production of fibreboard allows the production of products according to affordable prices for various interiors. Thanks to MDF and laminated chipboard furniture, each house will be filled with coziness, warmth and comfort.

Its advantage, in addition to all of the above, is its excellent ability to imitate various textures, most often - imitation of the texture of wood.

Pay attention to the norms of formaldehyde content in cabinet furniture.

Generally, operating conditions kitchen furniture compared to any other, they are more rough: high humidity, temperature changes, frequent opening and closing, shocks, exposure to active reagents (boiling water, oils, household chemicals).

Therefore, the materials from which the furniture is made must withstand all these influences and at the same time long years keep your original appearance.

Naturally, before arrangement kitchen area, each owner thinks "what is better for the kitchen chipboard or MDF?". To do rational choice, you need to know how this or that material is made and what advantages and disadvantages it has. This is what we will talk about in our article.

Chipboard

Particle board is made from sawdust and chips impregnated with formaldehyde resins, which act as a binder. Application of chipboard quite extensive: the construction of roofs and partitions, interior design, the creation of cabinet furniture.

For the production of kitchen furniture is used special kind this material, which is characterized by increased moisture resistance (indicated by the letter "B").

In the manufacture of waterproof chipboard, a paraffin emulsion or molten paraffin is added to the chip mass immediately before pressing. This is what subsequently endows the material with resistance to moisture.

But this material has one significant disadvantage - the release of formaldehydes harmful to the human body.

According to environmental standards, chipboard is divided into two classes:

  1. E1 - more environmentally friendly. The rate of formaldehyde emission from chipboard of this class is lower. In addition, furniture manufacturers are fighting in various ways to reduce this mark to a minimum.

Note! The most stringent requirements for the release of formaldehyde from chipboard are in Japan. It is reasonable to conclude that furniture from this material from Japanese manufacturers is much safer.

  1. E2 - less environmentally friendly. The rate of formaldehyde emission from chipboard of this class is higher than that of the previous one. This is probably why this material is forbidden to be used for children's rooms.

To choose between MDF or chipboard kitchen You need to know the pros and cons of each material.

So, the advantages of chipboard plates:

  • moisture resistance;
  • Strength;
  • Ease of machining (good for sawing, planing, drilling);
  • Perfectly hold the screws and nails that fasten the structure;
  • Also easy to glue and paint;
  • In some physical and mechanical properties, they even surpass natural wood(more fire resistant, have good sound and heat insulation properties);
  • The price of chipboard products is quite low.

Minuses:

  • The presence of formaldehyde resins harmful to health;
  • This material is characterized by high hardness, which does not allow fine processing (for example, deep milling or curly elements);
  • Despite its hardness, this material is friable, and even after grinding, its surface is not perfect. For this reason, for decorative finishes kitchen furniture made of chipboard use plastic, veneer, acrylic, fake diamond(that is, those materials that have greater thickness and able to hide imperfections). Therefore, such furniture can only be smooth.

Laminated chipboard

What is better for the kitchen chipboard or MDF? Let's understand further. Laminated chipboard (chipboard), as you already understood from the name, these are ordinary Chipboard boards lined with special paper-resin films.

The film is made from paper of a certain texture (usually imitating tree species): the paper is impregnated with melamine resin, which makes it hard and brittle; then the film is securely bonded to the chipboard surface using one of the following methods:

  1. Laminating - first, an adhesive composition is applied to the base plate, then a film is applied and glued. Over time, the film begins to peel off at the edges and corners.
  2. Lamination - decorative coating(film) is bonded to the base plate under the influence of pressure and temperature. This method of manufacturing laminated chipboard is considered the most reliable, durable, but also the most expensive.

In order to figure out which is better than MDF or chipboard for the kitchen, let's highlight the pros and cons of laminated chipboard.

Pros:

  • Moisture and heat resistance;
  • Good resistance to mechanical damage;
  • Wide choice of colors and textures;
  • Imitation of beautiful and noble tree species.

Minuses:

  • As mentioned above, the presence of harmful resins in the base plates;
  • The hardness of the material, which does not allow its fine processing.

Note! As a rule, each product, whether it is made of chipboard, chipboard or MDF, is accompanied by instructions. It describes in detail how to assemble furniture with your own hands, how to operate it, and how to care for it.

MDF

Fibreboard (MDF or MDF) is made from fine wood shavings. Chips for chipboard and MDF can be compared with products: where the former are passed through a meat grinder, and the latter are crushed with a mixer. The shavings are held together by paraffin and lignin.

Thus, the content of harmful formaldehyde resins in MDF boards is negligible and comparable to the release of the same resins by natural wood. So, answering the question “is the kitchen made of MDF or chipboard?”, We can conclude that MDF boards are more environmentally friendly.

In addition, due to the fine and uniform structure, MDF boards are twice as strong as chipboard boards, and also more resistant to moisture and fire.

This material has found wide application both in construction (walls, ceilings, floors are made of it), and in furniture production.

Pros:

  • High environmental friendliness;
  • Excellent resistance to moisture, temperature changes, mechanical stress;
  • Long service life;
  • MDF boards lend themselves perfectly to the finest processing, which is why they are a favorite material. contemporary designers. carved kitchen facades, voluminous panels, pilasters, cornices - all this is MDF;
  • Favorable ratio between hardness and thickness (MDF boards can be from 4 to 22 mm);
  • The surface of this material is even, smooth, uniform and dense, which makes subsequent external processing of the boards very easy;
  • MDF, perhaps, has all the advantages of wood, but it costs less and lasts longer.

Minuses:

  • There is only one big minus here - not an established production of material in Russia. And this means that the price of MDF kitchen furniture will be much higher.

Attention! Very soon, there will be no such shortage either: the United Panel Group will open the production of MDF boards in our country in six months.

The first thing to consider when choosing kitchen furniture is its functionality. But equally important is an attractive appearance. And you also need to consider the price of furniture. Many people want to get high-quality and beautiful furniture. But which is better: MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?

Material for the facade of the kitchen

The following materials are used for arrangement:

  • chipboard;
  • wood;
  • framework;
  • aluminum profile.

If everything is clear with wood or aluminum, then the abbreviations chipboard and MDF raise questions for many. These materials are widely used in modern furniture production.

The creation of materials such as chipboard and MDF allows the development of a wide range of products for the home, including for the kitchen. Which is better: MDF or chipboard?

For the kitchen, it is necessary that the furniture withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. Cabinet doors are constantly mechanical impact opened with wet hands. Therefore, the facade is usually made of MDF, and side walls and shelves - from chipboard. This is due to the characteristics of the materials.

and MDF

chipboard is laminated chipboard. It is obtained by pressing sawdust. But first they are treated with formaldehyde resin. Then it is laminated - covered with a paper film impregnated with melamine resin. Water-resistant chipboard is made by paraffin or its emulsion.

The predecessor of chipboard appeared in the 40s of the last century. For its decoration, not only lamination is used, but also plastic, veneer, acrylic and even artificial stone.

MDF is obtained by pressing dried chips. Before that, paraffin is added to it. They make the material durable. The sawdust used for the production of MDF is very small. Therefore, the product obtained from it is much stronger and denser. There are not so many resins harmful to humans in such products. Such a plate appeared in the 60s of the last century.

So which is better, MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?

Advantages of waterproof chipboard

Perhaps its main advantage is the low cost of chipboard. The price of a sheet ranges from 220 to 400 rubles. It depends on the thickness, which can be from 8 to 25 millimeters.

Products made from this material tolerate humidity and high temperatures well, which are often found in the kitchen furniture made of laminated chipboard.

The price also depends on the type of decor.

The color range of products from LDPS is quite wide. Often she repeats the colors of wood of different species.

Disadvantages of chipboard

Firstly, it is rigidity, due to which it cannot be milled.

Due to the presence of various resins, chipboard is classified as a toxic material. This indicator depends on what kind of resin was used in its manufacture. Least of all harmful substances is in class E1 slabs.

Nevertheless, even countertops are created from chipboard. Chipboard is covered with HPL plastic, which is also called laminate, using postforming technology. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the seams. If it is bad, then moisture gets to the sawdust, the tabletop board swells and loses all its qualities. Worktops laminated chipboard are often of poor quality.

Advantages of MDF

The material is easy to process with milling tools. It turns out a patterned relief surface.

PVC film in various colors can give furniture a modern and stylish look. She is not afraid of exposure to acids and household chemicals. Various enamels are used for furniture finishing.

MDF products are fire resistant. They don't swell with moisture. We can say that the material in its characteristics is much closer to wood than chipboard. Surface MDF kitchens(gloss) beautiful and original. The use of special effects (mother of pearl, chameleon) makes it possible to obtain beautiful and original products. And if we take into account the presence of all kinds of colors, then manufacturers open wide opportunities to create beautiful and original products for kitchen.

Disadvantages of MDF

Higher price than for chipboard products.

The coating may peel off at temperatures above 75 degrees.

Frame facades

Frame facades are used. The frame made of MDF profile is complemented by inserts made of chipboard, metal, glass. The frame is finished with PVC film or veneer. Their advantage is low price and the ability to create a large number of various options design.

Disadvantages - fragility, difficulty in care. The frames are sometimes loosely connected, which leads to the unsteadiness of the product.

Finishing the ends of products

The postforming method consists in the fact that it is already bent at two ends. Others are treated with a decorative edge after they are cut to the desired size.

Most often, all four ends are treated with PVC, acrylic or aluminum rim. The color of the edging can contrast with the color of the furniture.

The softforming method consists in processing the edges of the workpiece with cutters with a rounding outwards. decorative film at the place of the cut, they are glued end-to-end.

MDF with enamel

Highly spectacular products can be obtained by decorating products from MDF enamel different colors. First, the surface is primed, painted, dried, sanded. The next layer is applied, then a few more.

After processing the last layer, the surface is varnished. After drying, polish again.

The advantage is beautiful view, the disadvantage is the high cost compared to plastic or film coating. Such furniture can fade in the sun, fingerprints remain on it. Backside the door is usually white. In addition, mechanical shocks cause chips that cannot be repaired.

What's better

So which is better: MDF or chipboard? For the kitchen, would it be nice to make all the furniture from MDF, and not just the facades? Yes, it would be stronger. But much more expensive. Therefore, this configuration is more often used.

MDF has more high density. This will not only extend the life of the products, but also allow you to decorate them with various carved patterns and decorative embellishments.

The furniture created in this way has a beautiful appearance, the facade is indestructible. Of course, this furniture is not as durable as wood, but with normal care, it will serve the owners faithfully for a couple of decades. And during this time, it is possible that new technologies will be created that will make it possible to produce more quality furniture. MDF kitchen reviews are different. In general, consumers like the look, but are not satisfied with the quality of the countertop.

Today, in the construction market, such Construction Materials like chipboard and MDF. What are they? To begin with, chipboard and MDF are chipboard, which is made from small chips.

The material can then be subjected to various types processing and acquire the required type of surface. Both of these products are actively used in the manufacture of furniture, so let's try to figure out which product is considered the best.

Optimal solution

Before deciding on the most best material It is worth considering the pros and cons of each.

In the photo - chipboard and MDF:

Pros and cons of chipboard

Let's start with chipboard and its positive characteristics:

  • moisture resistance;
  • strength;
  • ease of processing;
  • securely hold the screws and nails that are used to fasten the structure;
  • plates can be painted and glued;
  • in certain physical and mechanical qualities they surpass natural wood;
  • low cost.

Not without such material and cons:

  • the presence of components harmful to health;
  • high hardness of the material does not allow for fine processing;
  • although the product is characterized by high hardness. For this reason, for decorative finishing of kitchen furniture from, however, after grinding, the structure becomes loose.

That better mdf or chipboard for furniture can be found in this

Pros and cons of MDF

Now consider the advantages of MDF:

  • high environmental friendliness;
  • the material can resist moisture and temperature changes;
  • long service life;
  • MDF can be subjected to even the thinnest machining;
  • optimal ratio between hardness and thickness;
  • the presented product has a flat, smooth, uniform and dense surface, due to which the external processing of the plates is much easier;
  • MDF boasts all the advantages of wood, but the price is much lower and the service life is longer.

You can find out chipboard or mdf which is better for a cabinet by reading

The video tells what is better than MDF or chipboard for furniture:

Choice for the bedroom

For such a room, it remains a very important accessory. For this reason, the choice of the material from which it will be made is a very responsible process.

Today, very often people order furniture for the bedroom from chipboard or MDF, but they still don’t understand which is better. Let's look at chipboard first. The presented product is obtained from chips, which are then processed binder, namely formaldehyde resins.

DPS today is very relevant in the manufacture of cabinet furniture, or rather bedroom sets. The main advantages chipboard material can be considered: easy processing, strength, excellent water resistance, the material perfectly holds all fasteners and is not expensive.

bathroom material

To be honest, none of the materials in question are suitable for making furniture in the bathroom. If, of course, special choice no, it is best to use MDF board, which has a laminated surface.

As a rule, such processing is present only on one side. If we consider chipboard plates, then they are generally not suitable for installation in the bathroom. You can, of course, also purchase a laminated product, then only over time the furniture will begin to delaminate and deteriorate, and furniture set will begin to lose its attractive appearance.

How to install kitchen apron from MDF with your own hands you can find out

There is only one conclusion here: neither MDF nor chipboard are suitable for the bathroom, but for those who choose from these materials, laminated MDF enjoys a great advantage.

What is more harmful

If you choose the material under consideration according to the criterion of environmental friendliness, then MDF is in the winning position. As has been repeatedly mentioned, formaldehyde resins are used in the production of chipboard. During evaporation, they emit harmful components and thus adversely affect human health. MDF does not imply the use of harmful substances, therefore, in terms of environmental friendliness, they can be compared with natural wood.

How furniture is made from two materials

MDF can be amenable to various types of mechanical processing, due to which they are actively involved in the manufacture of facades for cabinet furniture. In this case, CNC machines are used during production. Thanks to this equipment, it is possible to make various patterns, curly drawings.

The production process from MDF involves the use of a thermal vacuum press, as a result of which various PVC film. For this reason, the cost of MDF board is much more expensive than chipboard. In order for the final product to have excellent quality and price, the furniture production process can be based on a combination of these materials. As a rule, it is possible to make not only facades for furniture, but also table tops.

It is the low content of harmful components that allowed MDF boards to be used in the manufacture of cribs. Today there is a large number of PVC films, on the surface of which many children's drawings are applied. As a result, it is possible to obtain a strong and practical furniture which is very easy to care for. In addition, edge milling avoids sharp ends, which is important in the manufacture of furniture for a children's room.

Chipboard and MDF are very popular products today, which are actively used in the manufacture of furniture. To say unequivocally which material is better will not work. Indeed, in terms of environmental friendliness and beauty, MDF material wins. But the cost is lower and the chipboard has a long service life. When choosing furniture, pay attention to the purpose for which you buy it and under what conditions it will be used.

Ask a specialist to name the two most popular materials for making furniture, and he will confidently name chipboard and MDF. They have long been successfully used as substitutes for wood. Although the technology of their production has similar features, the properties of the materials are different. If you know these differences, it will be easy to answer the question which one is better.

LDSP - laminated chipboard. Its basis is wood shavings, firmly pressed and impregnated with formaldehyde resin. The additive resin is not safe, and there are two environmental standards - E1 and E2. The second allows more harmful substances, so the chipboard of the E2 standard is not used for children's rooms and medical facilities. The surface of the plates is covered with a laminated paper film with the addition of melamine resin, due to which the strength of the material increases.

MDF - wood fiber board. It is made from sawdust, the binder for which is lignin or paraffin. This board is safe to use. The board is stronger and more resistant to heat and water than chipboard due to smaller and more uniform particles.

Properties of MDF boards

are safe;

resistant to water and high temperatures, mechanical damage;

· soft, fine processing and finishing is possible;

The price is higher than chipboard;

Perfectly hold hinges and other fittings;

· more diverse in the types of finishes - in addition to a smooth color coating with enamel, plastic, panels, carvings, cornices, pilasters are widely used;

Practically have the advantages of natural wood (and are cheaper).

Looking at the fine products made in different styles, it can be hard to believe that they are made of MDF. In appearance, they are completely indistinguishable from natural wood furniture.

Properties of chipboard boards

limited safety;

resistant to temperature extremes, moisture, mechanical stress;

Solid, which excludes fine finishing;

· cheaper;

· limited in finishing - covering with a laminated film, although with a wide range of colors and textures.

It should be noted that in most difficult conditions operation is furniture for the kitchen and bathroom, so it needs to be given special attention. In addition to temperature and humidity, accidental bumps, frequent opening of doors, it is exposed to household chemicals, boiling water and oils. Therefore, experts recommend choosing MDF for such furniture.

Comparing the properties of laminated chipboard and MDF, we see that the main advantage of laminated chipboard is an attractive price. Do you need economy-class furniture at the lowest cost? Then LDSP is what you need. Need beautiful facades threaded? Fine trim? Beautiful, durable and safe furniture? Then the choice is for MDF.