6 Tips for Choosing MDF Panels for Walls

MDF panels, having appeared on the domestic market, instantly conquered it. It is a durable and safe material with excellent aesthetic properties and the easiest to install. Facing them with equal success can be as wallsso and the ceilings, but so far more often it is used precisely for surface finishing of walls. Manufacturers offer a lot of different solutions, so before buying it would be nice to understand the entire range, find out how to choose MDF panels and what to look for when buying.

No. 1. Production Features and Benefits

For the production of MDF panels used wood chips that mix with urea resins. From this homogeneous mass, plates are formed which are processed by dry pressing under the influence of high temperature and pressure. As a result, a dense plate is formed, which at the subsequent stages of production is given the necessary decorative properties.

Rapid distribution of material dictated many of its advantages:

• beautiful appearance and a wide selection;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• panels can be installed in any direction;
• there is no need to carefully prepare the original surface, because the panels will hide all minor defects in the walls or ceiling;
• since the panels are mounted on the crate, between them and the original surface there is space that can be used for laying cables or for additional sound insulation.

No. 2. Why is MDF better than chipboard?

MDF boards are often compared with products made of chipboard: they are made of wood chips, and they look very similar. The difference lies in the type of binder used for the chips: in the manufacture of MDF, higher-quality materials are used, therefore, the plates are more durable and safe.

The main advantages of MDF boards compared to particleboard:

• health safety. Phenol-formaldehyde resins are used as a binder in particleboard. Material in the end can emit formaldehyde, which even in small amounts causes serious damage to human health. That is why Europe has long abandoned the production of particleboard. MDF panels are completely harmless to health, therefore they are used even in children's rooms;
• protection against moisture. Particleboard is covered with a water-repellent composition, but the protective properties are not enough for a short time, after which the boards can swell under the influence of moisture. MDF panels are much more resistant to moisture.

Nevertheless, it is worth noting that MDF panels are more sensitive to high temperatures than particle boards, and their main drawback is the high fire hazard.

No. 3. Types of MDF panels depending on the production method

Although the principle of production of MDF panels remains general, some nuances can be used that affect some properties of the material. Depending on the technological features of production, these types of panels are distinguished:

• fully pressed. The most common and common option. Wood pulp is pressed under high temperature and pressure, and as a result a slab with smooth surfaces comes out;
• laminated. They are produced in the same way as fully pressed, but with one difference - at the final stage, the front panel is covered with a thin polymer film, which becomes additional protection against moisture and mechanical damage. The film can be absolutely any color;
• moisture resistant. For this kind of boards, the highest quality wood is used. Sawdust together with a binder can be processed for a longer time at a high temperature, due to which more durable and resistant to negative influences boards are obtained. They can be used to bathroom cladding and balconies.

Number 4. MDF panels according to the method of designing the front part

To give the material an attractive appearance, the front part is made out in one of the following ways:

• veneering. It allows you to achieve a chic appearance that completely imitates natural wood, although it is difficult to call it an imitation, because a thin layer of real wood is used to clad the panel, the thickness of which is no more than 3 mm. This is enough to convey the original texture and color of the tree;
• polymer film lamination, which can convey any pattern: abstract patterns, structure of wood, stone, etc .;
• staining. A layer of paint covers the rough surface of the panel, which acquires a certain shade and a matte or glossy surface, depending on the type of paint.

The choice of a particular option depends on personal preferences and design features of the room.

Depending on the features of the front surface of the MDF panel is also divided into:

• flat;
• embossed.

No. 5. MDF panel size

Each manufacturer produces MDF panels with the parameters that they consider necessary - no unified requirements yet exist. The length and width of the panels varies widely, the thickness, as a rule, is 5-25 mm.

Depending on the shape and size of the panels, they are usually divided into:

• rack type. These are long boards with a width of 11-29 cm and a length of 2-4 m. They can be useful in decorating spacious rooms in attempts to imitate a natural wood cladding;
• typesetting panels. These are square plates with a side of 29-95 cm. You can use tiles of the same color and texture, you can combine different ones - in any case, you can achieve an interesting decorative effect;
• sheet panels. The sizes of such sheets are from 1.2 to 2.5 m. Often find application in lining large bathrooms.

No. 6. The best manufacturers of MDF panels

SWISS KRONO GROUP

Once in 1897 it was a small sawmill located in Austria. Today company group includes a lot of factories located around the world, its products are in demand all over the world, and the name of the company has become a kind of quality mark. The company’s factory was also opened in Russia in 2002which today is well known as Kronostar. This company is today considered the country's largest manufacturer of wood-based panels.

In the country, Kronostar MDF boards are very popular, because they have European quality and domestic prices. The company offers a huge selection of such panels, they have many advantages, are used for wall cladding and, if desired, ceilings, can be laid horizontally, vertically or at an angle.

P&M Kaindl

This Austrian company with more than a century of history today is considered the world leader in the production of MDF panels. Here they use only the highest quality raw materials, modern high-tech equipment and constantly introduce innovations, as a result of which the products constantly receive prestigious awards. The company specializes in the production of laminate and MDF panels, each time striking with new developments. Products are exported around the world, and it is represented in Russia.

Sonae industries

Not much behind the giant in terms of sales and portuguese company, whose plants are now located in 12 countries.The company has existed since 1959, at first it produced plastic products, then it produced chipboard, and since 1990 it has been manufacturing MDF panels. Today, the company is one of the three largest manufacturers of MDF panels in the world. Such high results were achieved thanks to a strict approach to quality control, continuous improvement of technologies and expansion of the assortment.

KASTAMONU

The company has been operating since 1969 and today combines production in Turkey, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovinawas recently opened factory in RussiaTherefore, the company's products are actively entering the domestic market and are notable for a rather low price. High production speeds allowed the company to enter the five of the best woodworking companies in Europe. The plants of the enterprise use modern technology, new technologies are constantly being introduced. The company's assortment includes MDF panels with the most diverse coatings and sizes, and there are so many decor options that everyone will definitely find an option for themselves.

CJSC Plitspichprom

A large domestic enterprise, which includes several plants. The production of MDF panels is carried out by Lesplitinvest OJSC, which uses the best and most advanced European technologies adapted to domestic operating conditions. Today, 35 types of various panels are produced here, and equipment of Italian, German and Swiss production is used. The assortment includes veneered, painted and laminated panels, a lot of design options. Prices are different: there are budget options, and quite expensive.

"Zheshart Plywood Mill"

The company has been operating since 1946, and today it is one of the main domestic manufacturers of MDF boards. Products are used not only in Russia, but are also actively exported to neighboring countries. Modern equipment is used, new advanced technologies are constantly being introduced, production volumes are increasing.

LLC "Master and K"

For several years this group of companies has been a leader in the domestic market for the production of MDF panels. The manufacturer appeared in 1995, began with the manufacture of chipboard, and today its range is very extensive and also includes MDF panels. They are presented in several collections, which are constantly updated and updated with new types, so the buyer will certainly be able to find an option with the necessary technical characteristics and design.

Latat

Another responsible manufacturer of full-cycle MDF boards. The company itself produces logging, it itself produces low-toxic resins used as a binder, and it produces plates using modern German equipment. The company's specialists control all stages of production, which allows us to achieve high quality products.

LLC "MDF Plant"

A full-cycle enterprise, which is engaged in the selection of a timber base, logging and directly by the production of MDF boards. At each stage of production, tight control is exercised, so the products are of good quality.