What is mdf board

This is why more manufacturers turn to engineered wood and trends like flat pack furniture have conquered a vast share of the market. So, does that mean that MDF is the better option? Not necessarily the case. Truth is, both solid and engineered wood have their pros and cons and both can do a great job for your interior renovation. But, what does solid wood really mean?

The answer is as straightforward as it can be. It stands for the type of timber, yielded the good old fashioned way — from forests. Furnishing made of solid wood has no hollow spaces and its specifics vary among species. Eucalyptus — It has a number of subspecies and each has its own distinctive set of fine points, such as palette, texture and etc. Some popular representatives are tasmanian oak, blackbutt, spotted gum and Jarrah, with their corresponding colors: creamy, palish brown, caramel brown and red.

Cedar — Known for its specific colors ranging from red to pink, it has a soft but straight grain and is mostly used for outdoor furnishing. Cedar is resistant to mold and comes at a great price. Oregon — Also known as douglas fir, it has a straight grain.

Pine — Although popular in interior design, pine is known as being vulnerable to pests. Unless treated against bugs and molds, infestations will not only shorten the lifespan of furnishing but might cause a chain of reactions that will damage your entire property. Ash — One of the brightest types of solid wood you could use for furniture.

Manufacturers of traditional furnishing often use it as an alternative to white oak. Beech — Another representative of the brighter types of timber.

Birch — The most popular colors here are white and yellow. You will encounter this type of timber in the northern hemisphere.

Unfortunately due to overusage, supply is scarce nowadays. Maple — You could come across subspecies both soft and hard. The first is used for pallets, packing containers, shipping boxes and etc, because it is less durable. Oak — Without the shadow of a doubt, one of the most used types of solid wood for furniture on modern interior design.

It comes in two varieties — American red and European white. Along with cedar and white oak it is among the few most resistant to moisture, which is why oak is widely used for pergolas, gazebos and other outdoor inventory. Teak — Known for its high quality and pricey tag. It grows in countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar. As a material, teak is among the best for building boats, rafts and fishermen pears.

Which makes it perfect for kitchen cabinets, tabletops and other projects where you want a large stained wood surface. It holds screws very tightly since the varying grains of wood on each layer give the screws something to hold onto.

Disadvantages of plywood Plywood is more expensive than MDF and of course, the higher the grade and depending on the species of wood, it can increase in price. Because of the layers that show on the edge, plywood needs finishing with iron-on edge banding, pieces of timber or decorative mouldings.

Browse our Plywood products here So, which one should you use? November 19, Products in this post. People who enjoy crafting and building things like signs, silhouettes and decorations will often find that thin MDF makes the perfect material to work with.

Like MDF, decorative hardwood plywood makes an excellent choice for cabinets and furniture. Depending on the wood you choose, it may be best painted or stained to let the character of the wood show through. Plywood also can be used to create wall paneling, boxes and other storage, audio speakers, trim, false ceiling beams and more. Both materials have positive attributes, but they work in such different ways you may find one works for you more than the other. It cuts well, but it also produces more sawdust.

Finally, while you can paint plywood, it also excels when stained. MDF takes coatings very well and can be sealed with a clear finish for protection. These are all small details, but depending on your project, they may help make your decision a little easier. Of course, solid wood, like anything has its pros and cons. Each species of wood is different and some have longer longevity than others, but people are drawn to it.

We love to have the authenticity of solid wood, which I completely understand. The beauty of natural wood is unbeatable. However, wood contracts or expands when it is exposed to changing heat and humidity.