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What is “MDF” Used For Furniture and Other store fixtures? Introducing The Features Of Environmentally Friendly Material
MDF” is a material that is used in various situations, such as for furniture and store fixtures. It is also known as an environmentally friendly material. However, many people may not fully understand exactly what kind of material MDF is.
We would like to introduce an overview of MDF, its characteristics, and points to keep in mind when using it.
Table of Contents
1. What is MDF?
2. Characteristics of MDF
・Excellent recyclability
・High versatility
・Stability of quality
3. Precautions when using MDF
4. Types of MDF
5. How to process MDF materials neatly
・Tips for cutting
・Tips for painting
■What is MDF?
MDF stands for “Medium Density Fiberboard.” Fiberboard is a general term for boards formed from wood chips that have been converted into a powdery fiber, and it is classified by density, application, and manufacturing method into the following categories.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
-Hard fiberboard
-Soft fiberboard
■Characteristics of MDF
As mentioned, MDF is used in various situations, including furniture such as curtain boxes and color boxes, system kitchen doors, and speaker cabinets. Store Express original products also use MDF as a material for many wooden products such as shelves and table tops. Let’s take a look at the advantages of MDF.
Excellent recyclability
MDF can be made from reusable resources such as scrap wood, thinned wood, and waste wood generated during product processing, so no need to cut down forests to make MDF which is the reason why it’s considered as highly recyclable and eco-friendly material.
You can also get it with a reasonable price because it is made from discard material.
High versatility
Like common wood, MDF is a material that is easy to cut and drill. It also has moderate strength, making it highly versatile for use, from small items to construction materials.
Stability of quality
The density of natural wood varies from place, and in some cases, cracks may occur during processing. On the other hand, MDF, which is made by forming wood fibers into panel, has a uniform density and is resistant to cracking.
In addition, the surface and cross-section are smooth and there is no gap, allowing for a beautiful finish.
■Precautions when using MDF
Despite its excellent characteristic, MDF is a moisture-sensitive material. Mold and corrosion can occur if used in humid places. It is important to apply a waterproof sealant or primer to protect from moisture.
■Types of MDF
MDF is classified into several grades by the contained amount of formaldehyde which is one of the chemical substances that cause sick building syndrome, and the main source of formaldehyde is the glue material contained in plywood such as MDF.
Standard grade:
E2 grade (emission is ≤5mg/L)
E1 grade (emission is ≤1.5mg/L)
E0 grade (emission is ≤0.5mg/L)
In addition to formaldehyde emission, the classification is based on flame resistance, bending strength, and type of adhesive.
■How to process MDF materials neatly
There may be situations where you want to cut MDF to the required size or apply a surface coating to add color for DIY, etc. To process MDF materials neatly, it is important to know some tips for cutting and painting.
Tips for cutting
MDF is a material with high density and excellent strength. Thin boards can be cut using a cutter, but it takes time and effort. The easy and effective way to cut is using a table saw.
Unlike regular wood, the wood has no grain and the fibers inside are homogeneous, Marking the line using a pencil will help you to cut it smoothly and easily. It is also good to use clamps to secure the MDF in place.
Tips for painting
Since MDF is sensitive to moisture, it is generally recommended to apply a primer before top coating. The procedure and tips for painting MDF are as follows.
Steps to paint MDF
1. Apply sanding sealer
First, a thin coat of sanding sealer is applied to the surface. When the primer dries, apply another thin coat several times.
2. Sanding
After the sanding sealer has dried, sand the surface using sandpaper to make the surface smooth. However, you need to be careful not to sharpen the corners too much.
3. Paint
In the same way as sanding sealer, apply several thin coats. Spray, lacquer, roller, or any other painting method is acceptable.
4. Finish with a coat of varnish
After the paint has dried, finishing with varnish is a good choice to improve color retention. It is better to allow one day for the varnish to dry before applying the next coat.
After the varnishing, polish the surface again with fine-grit sandpaper to achieve a beautiful finish.
Store Express sells various original wooden products and also we can even produce the bespoke products you require using MDF. Feel free to contact us for more information.