63 ms·

Can this line of thought be extended to MDF board, which I have a revealed preference for? (revealed preference == I notice that I keep choosing to use MDF boar

Can this line of thought be extended to MDF board, which I have a revealed preference for? (revealed preference == I notice that I keep choosing to use MDF board in my projects, regardless of my opinions on wood)

cfn 3y ago
There are different grades of MDF each with a specific density. I suppose that a denser MDF will last longer, it certainly is heavier and stronger.
Bluestrike2 3y ago
There's nothing wrong with MDF for certain applications. You just have to recognize the tradeoffs and how they affect the piece. Anyhow, to answer your question, there are different grades and qualities of MDF. If you go to a local plywood supplier, you'll find they tend to source higher-quality MDF than you'll get at a home improvement store like Home Depot. The same goes for plywood and even the small selection of hardwoods home improvement stores carry. If you can find a wholesaler who doesn't have minimum order sizes, it can even be less expensive. Just don't expect them to break the sheets down to fit in a car. High quality MDF tends to be denser, has a more consistent surface quality, and the composition of the wood fibers tends to be finer and more consistently distributed throughout the board. You'll get finer quality cuts (though 99% of the time, you'll want to edge band the MDF anyhow), for example. That said, you don't really go and get a stock list ordered by MDF density (beyond normal and lightweight MDF, anyhow). It's more just a characteristic of the better quality MDF, with relatively minor density differences between brands/product lines. The bigger benefit is that they're much more likely to stock certified low and no-added-formaldehyde MDF, which make a big difference in formaldehyde off-gassing. Some people are more sensitive to it than others, and the last thing you want is for a beautifully veneered furniture piece to have to be returned because it's irritating the hell out of someone's eyes and nose.

cfn 3y ago

There are different grades of MDF each with a specific density. I suppose that a denser MDF will last longer, it certainly is heavier and stronger.

Bluestrike2 3y ago

There's nothing wrong with MDF for certain applications. You just have to recognize the tradeoffs and how they affect the piece. Anyhow, to answer your question, there are different grades and qualities of MDF. If you go to a local plywood supplier, you'll find they tend to source higher-quality MDF than you'll get at a home improvement store like Home Depot. The same goes for plywood and even the small selection of hardwoods home improvement stores carry. If you can find a wholesaler who doesn't have minimum order sizes, it can even be less expensive. Just don't expect them to break the sheets down to fit in a car. High quality MDF tends to be denser, has a more consistent surface quality, and the composition of the wood fibers tends to be finer and more consistently distributed throughout the board. You'll get finer quality cuts (though 99% of the time, you'll want to edge band the MDF anyhow), for example. That said, you don't really go and get a stock list ordered by MDF density (beyond normal and lightweight MDF, anyhow). It's more just a characteristic of the better quality MDF, with relatively minor density differences between brands/product lines. The bigger benefit is that they're much more likely to stock certified low and no-added-formaldehyde MDF, which make a big difference in formaldehyde off-gassing. Some people are more sensitive to it than others, and the last thing you want is for a beautifully veneered furniture piece to have to be returned because it's irritating the hell out of someone's eyes and nose.