Photo: www.elvis-mebel.ru
“Sometimes product variety is bad...” sighs visitors to a hardware store who have to choose between similar board materials such as MDF, chipboard and laminated chipboard. At the same time, it is completely unclear to a non-professional which of the above can be used in a particular case. But figuring it out is not as difficult as it seems. MDF (short for Medium Density Fiberboard) is a type of medium-density fiberboard created by dry pressing (at a certain high pressure and temperature) of fine wood chips. It is clear that no matter how much the raw material is heated or compressed in this case, the chips will not stick to each other. Therefore, a “binder” (something like glue) is added to them - urea resins modified by melamine. The MDF production technology was developed in the USA in the 60s of the twentieth century, and its industrial production began there in 1966. In Russia, the first MDFs were produced only in 1997. Chipboard - chipboard (usually referred to as chipboard, although it is correct to use the abbreviation DSTP) - is obtained by hot pressing of chips (and other wood particles) mixed with a non-mineral binder. In this case, chipboard can consist of either one layer or several layers (three or more). Chipboard has been produced in the USA for more than 70 years, in Russia - somewhat less.
Photo: www.makuha.ru
LDSP is a type of chipboard, which is a board laminated with melamine films. The unity of the design is achieved by simultaneous exposure to high temperature and pressure. The surface of laminated chipboard can be made either smooth or embossed (imitating the structure of wood or any other materials).
What is MDF: the concept and features of this material
MDF is a material that is a board containing a fibrous base. For the manufacture of this design, finely divided dry raw materials are used, which are exposed to a press to impart strength. Lignin or paraffin is used as a binder. Thus, the finished slab is considered absolutely safe from an environmental point of view.
MDF sheets of different thicknesses Source timb.ru
The ready-to-use product is distinguished by a high degree of reliability, strength and hardness. The latter characteristic is comparable even to some types of wood. Additional processing options are allowed for this material, which will ensure fire resistance and moisture resistance. In some cases (only if absolutely necessary), slabs can be coated with agents to achieve biological resistance (against rodents, fungi, mold).
MDF boards for making furniture Source gdematerial.ru
In the production of particleboard, the constituent fibers are crushed to the maximum permissible fractions, then they are steam cleaned and additionally ground.
Material used in the production of Barski furniture
Manufacturer of office and home furniture Barski offers its customers a wide range of products for furnishing offices and offices at home or at work. Moreover, virtually all of our furniture sets are made of high-quality natural material, certified in Europe. Any table or chair will last a long period of time, since it is based on reliable MDF boards. Certain product lines are improved with carbon film or HPL surface. More details about our products in the video.
Chipboard: what is it and its description
Chipboard stands for chipboard, but the full name of this material is chipboard. The finished sheet of raw material contains medium and small sized components. Such slabs are produced under special conditions using the hot pressing method.
A phenolic-based binder is used as an adhesive. Other components can be added to the mass, which increase the strength of the finished slab. It cannot be done without additional processing, which consists of grinding the surfaces and laminating them.
Chipboard sheet for furniture design Source novosibirsk-obl.tiu.ru
Sheets of this material are used mainly in furniture production or in packaging when transporting fragile goods.
On a note! Chipboards have a wider range of applications than MDF sheets.
Types of lamination for chipboard
Two lamination methods are used:
- Hot lamination method - by heating the surface, the film is fixed using a laminator;
- Cold lamination method - fixation occurs with a laminator similar to pressing, the coating is not heated in this method;
It is important to add that the use of solid wood in the production of mass furniture is reduced to a minimum. An exception may be original handmade products.
Another big advantage when introducing the technology for producing solid sheets from wood shavings was the virtual absence of waste during wood processing.
Distinctive features
First of all, you can notice the differences between MDF and chipboard materials visually. If the first is characterized by the use of homogeneous particles of wood, then in the second case, the fraction can be both medium and small in one sheet. The particle board looks more like a piece of wood, especially if there is no decorative treatment on it. Next, let's look at the main characteristics of these sheets and how different they are considered from each other.
By emission class
The emission class determines how safe the composition is for humans. For example, MDF is considered absolutely harmless to a living organism, since it is classified as class E1. Accordingly, the use of these plates is permissible indoors.
Homogeneous and non-uniform chipboard board Source dom-sobaki.ru
The same cannot be said about chipboard sheets, because they contain more dangerous components and formaldehydes. Such components should not appear inside residential premises, as they will have an adverse effect on health. It’s not for nothing that this material is labeled E2, E3, E4 (depending on the amount of harmful components).
By production process
The manufacturing process for MDF and chipboard is also different. If in the first case the material is made using dry pressing, then the second version of the raw material is produced under the influence of hot pressure.
But as a result, both materials are considered quite durable and resistant to various types of processing.
By invoice
The use of MDF boards is more justified in the production of both individual furniture structures and sets in general. This is associated with the uniform texture of the sheet and its good decorative qualities.
If we talk about chipboard, then its structure is quite loose, since the composition contains fractions of different sizes. It is irrational to choose such slabs for making furniture, since when several types of processing are performed, it will simply crumble at the fastening points. Also, particle board does not lend itself to even minor fine finishing with tools, because the process can cause chips and cracks that are difficult to fix.
MDF sheets with a homogeneous structure Source gdematerial.ru
By coverage
MDF boards also have an advantage in terms of coating. The fact is that the raw material can simply remain with a polished factory surface. Pasting with film materials based on PVC components is allowed. Sheets can also be painted with enamel, veneered, or created with a matte finish.
As for chipboard, painting such a surface is inappropriate. Firstly, the coloring composition adheres very poorly, and secondly, if the finishing is done poorly in production, it will absorb the entire composition. Also, the surface of the chipboard can repel paintwork materials, as a result the coating will begin to roll off.
Fragments of MDF panels with decorative coating Source promvm.ru
Reviews
Valentina: “I bought a kitchen made of chipboard and after 3 years I regretted it. It turned out to be unstable to moisture and hot pans. The film began to peel off, and then cracks appeared on the drawers and where the sink was installed. For a kitchen space, this option is not functional and impractical. For those who don’t want to pay twice, it’s better to save up and choose a better option.”
Alexander: “We ordered furniture for the children’s room from a German manufacturer that uses MDF. I would like to immediately note the excellent quality, there is no smell of any chemicals, it is easy to insert grooves, and work with additional tools. In this case, the integrity of the structure is not affected. The only drawback is the high price. For those who want to buy high quality furniture, there will be a price to pay.”
Christina: “I liked the chipboard furniture for the living room. First of all, I would like to note the wide selection, and any design project can be implemented to order. It has been in service for 2 years so far and no complaints. It is also convenient to care for. If there is no accumulation of moisture in the room and it is not used as a work surface, this is the best option at a low price.”
Georgy: “Chipboard is an impractical material that quickly deteriorates even under the influence of constant sunlight. We bought a bed that was placed against the window. The film quickly faded within a season, and over time, some microcracks appeared, which grew into one large one. Of course, it still served in this condition, but the unpleasant aftertaste remained. I won’t take it for a long time anymore.”
See how MDF differs from chipboard:
Comparative analysis of MDF and chipboard by characteristics
Before choosing a stove for use at home, you need to familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics and their differences for each specific wood material. We propose to analyze these parameters in the table below.
| Characteristic | MDF | Chipboard | Expert assessment, score |
| Strength | The material is reliable because it has a uniform structure. Due to this, the binder contained in the composition creates a stronger connection | The sheets are slightly inferior in strength due to the heterogeneity of the components used to form the material. But this material can become stronger than MDF if more adhesive is added to the mixture. | 3/2 |
| Weight | This type of slab is again in the lead. The approximate weight of one slab is 28 kg with side parameters of 2800x2700 mm. It is easier to work with a sheet of this format, and if it is used to assemble a wall cabinet, it will create a slight load on the wall. | A particle board measuring 2750x1830 mm will be heavier. Its mass will be plus/minus 30 kg. Accordingly, such a panel can ideally be used for installation on load-bearing structures, on the outside of buildings. | 2/3 |
| Density | MDF boards are distinguished by their high density, which in terms of characteristics is close to hardwood. This parameter can vary in the range from 720 to 810 km/m3. Judging by these data, the material is successfully suitable for use under load | The density indicator for particle boards may vary, as it is divided into three categories: low density - up to 550 kg/M3, medium - up to 750 kg/m3 and high. Options with the first and second class characteristics are used in construction, for example, for wall cladding, and the latter can already be used in some parts of furniture. | 2/2 |
| Moisture resistance | MDF does not have this disadvantage. An experiment was conducted on one of these slabs in which the material was immersed under water for an hour. As a result, it didn't even change its size. | The material is able to actively absorb moisture, especially from the end sides. When absorbing water, the material can increase up to 30% of its original size, that is, it swells and crumbles. | 4/2 |
Overview of manufacturers and suppliers of laminated chipboards
The production of laminated boards has long been established by numerous manufacturers, both foreign and Russian. They offer a significant selection of products, made in a variety of colors and flexible price segments.
The flagships in the laminate board manufacturing industry are:
Laminated chipboard "EGGER"
High quality slabs. They comply with European safety regulations. The main advantage is the large selection of colors. Along with this, an affordable price and impeccable quality. A long-term reputation makes this manufacturer’s product a favorite on the market for similar products;
Laminated chipboard "LAMARTY"
A giant manufacturer in the domestic chipboard market. This is Syktyvkar plywood. It occupies one of the main positions not only in the domestic but also in the foreign market. Modern technological production lines plus high-tech equipment contribute to the production of European-level chipboards;
Laminated chipboard "KRONOSPAN"
Popular world-class brand. It has been producing products for more than a hundred years and has representative offices in more than 20 different countries. A distinctive feature of this company’s products is the maximum moisture resistance of the slabs. This allows the use of laminated chipboard when renovating and finishing a bathroom, shower room, dining room or kitchen;
Laminated chipboard "Russian laminate"
The largest domestic manufacturer. Focused on producing world-class products. The production process is properly adjusted with continuous quality control. Additional accessories are always available - edging, various fittings, as well as all types of front and side profiles. All this allows us to produce a completed product in full configuration;
All products of the companies provided in this review are confirmed by quality certificates. This proves the high environmental safety of laminated boards for their consumers.
Determining what is better
Based on the above comparative characteristics, we can conclude which composition will be better. However, each of them is good for specific purposes. We suggest studying these nuances.
MDF panels with wood imitation Source jaf-shop.ru
For example, if first of all you need to select a budget material, then undoubtedly it will be chipboard. But such sheets only serve well in conditions without moisture.
MDF material will cost several times more, but will last longer, since it is not subject to the negative influence of moisture and does not emit hazardous substances during operation. Sheets made from this raw material are quite acceptable for everyday use. Even when making decorative elements for furniture, MDF is the best option, because it can easily withstand curved cutting and shape changes, unlike chipboard.
Thin sheet furniture panels made of MDF Source novocherkassk.tiu.ru
Nevertheless, particle board can also be used for the manufacture of furniture structures. Only sheets need to be selected in the most expensive version. These contain a minimum of toxic substances and are coated with special impregnations that improve performance characteristics: strength, moisture resistance, fire resistance.
On a note! Both of these materials are used in some industries to create an effective combination. For example, in the production of kitchen units, the frames are made of chipboard, and the shaped elements or facades are made of MDF.
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.
Fastener retention
Chipboard has long gained the reputation of a “disposable” material - furniture assembled from it is very difficult to disassemble without loss, transport to another place and reassemble. This is due to the fastenings, which, even if the screws are screwed in and out perfectly evenly during reassembly, at best will hold much weaker. The worst is also the more likely outcome - the attachment point will simply crumble and you will have to additionally treat it with glue or use screws of larger diameter.
As a result, if you have a choice, then you should take furniture made of chipboard, in which not screws are used as fasteners, but bolted connections with wide washers. If they break, then you won’t have to worry about the possibility of restoring the fasteners.
MDF, due to its density, easily tolerates repeated assembly and disassembly - in this, again, it is not very different from natural wood.
