When choosing wood products, you often come across the abbreviations MDF, chipboard and fiberboard. Many people are confused and don't know. Let's try to understand the differences between DPS and MDF and fiberboard.

You can start with Fiberboard. This stands for fibreboards . It differs from MDF in the manufacturing method. Fiberboard is pressed “wet”, and MDF is pressed “dry”.

Fiberboard contains wood obtained from sawmill waste and other wood processing; various wood chips; wood used for firewood. This material is used mainly for the back partitions of cabinets and the bottom of drawers.

What are the differences between chipboard and MDF and fibreboard?

The advantage of this material is its low price at long term use, and the downside is in a rather narrow scope of application. It will not be possible to replace it with MDF or chipboard, only with plywood and not always.

Chipboard is a chipboard , consisting of shavings and sawdust bound together by a special substance. As a rule, chipboard is used for construction interior partitions, manufacturing of cabinet and office furniture, interior design. For bathrooms and toilets, chipboard with increased moisture resistance is used.

prosChipboard these are: strength, resistance to moisture and technical damage, low price, ease of processing.

Pros and cons of chipboard

Minuses Chipboard : the presence of a harmful substance in the composition - formaldehyde, with the help of which the particles of the material are held together. However, there are 2 types of chipboard. Where E1 is written, it’s not all that scary, but E2 is prohibited from being used in the manufacture of furniture for children. And another disadvantage is the inability to carry out fine processing (cut out any complex parts, carry out deep milling).

Concerning MDF , then this is a medium-density chipboard, which is a kind of decoding of the English abbreviation MDF. It is made from dry wood fibers and formed into slabs, which are pressed using the “hot” method. The difference between this material and the same chipboard is that it does not contain resins or phenol that are unsafe for humans. The binding of elements occurs with the help of the natural substance lignin.

This material is widely used in the production of platbands, various racks, extensions, parts for entrance and interior doors, interior partitions.

Pros of MDF : environmental friendliness, density, big choice size, very light and simple processing material, does not crack or bend over time.

Cons of MDF : quite a high price, since at the moment there are few enterprises producing MDF; softness - impacts may cause dents or other deformations of the material.

Of course, everyone chooses based on their needs and their financial capabilities, but now it is clear what the differences between these materials are, as well as their strengths and weaknesses.

MDF (MDF-medium-density fiberboard) medium-density fiberboard

This is a slab made from very fine sawdust. Fiber boards of uniform thickness are produced from timber and wood waste (offcuts) intended for felling, which are ground into small cubes (chips), subjected to high-pressure steam treatment and subsequently fed to the rotating discs of a defibrator (gritting machine). All wiped material is immediately sent for drying and subsequent gluing.

The difference between chipboard shavings and MDF shavings is like between products that have been put through a meat grinder and products that have been chopped with a mixer. Wood particles are held together by lignin and paraffin, so MDF is a very environmentally friendly material.

MDF products can be installed in rooms with relative humidity up to 80%, versus 60% for wooden products.

Pros: This type of semi-finished product is highly environmentally friendly, and also has excellent characteristics of compactness, fiber adhesion, and consistency of geometric dimensions over a long period of time.

The strongest point is the extremely favorable ratio between hardness and thickness: MDF sheets can be from 4 to 22 mm. Lately they have begun to appear door blocks with boxes and trim made of MDF, covered with valuable wood veneer. The surface of MDF is flat, smooth, uniform, dense, all this makes external processing of the boards extremely simple.

This material is widely used for the manufacture of furniture, laminated floors, doors and moldings.

Chipboard (chipboard)

Chipboard - made by hot flat pressing of wood particles (shavings and sawdust) mixed with a binder, mainly synthetic resins (formaldehyde resins). A valuable raw material for particle boards is any low-value wood, both coniferous and deciduous. The performance properties of chipboards mainly depend on their density, shape and size of wood particles, as well as the quantity and quality of the binder.

There are slabs with very low (350-450 kg/m³), low (450-650 kg/m³), medium (650-750 kg/m³) and high (700-800 kg/m³) densities. Distinguished by wood particle boards one-, three- and five-layer.

This is the most common material for cabinet furniture, interior design, construction (roofs, partitions, etc.).

pros: water resistance, strength, ease of processing. Chipboard “holds” nails and screws holding the structure together well. Chipboard lends itself well to mechanical processing (sawing, planing, drilling, milling), and is easy to glue and paint. Another advantage of chipboard is its low price. That is why chipboard is the most widely used material for economy class furniture; Most office furniture is made from chipboard.

In some physical and mechanical properties, chipboards are superior to natural wood. In particular, they swell less from moisture; less flammable; do not warp in case of uneven changes in humidity; have good heat and sound insulation properties; more biostable.

Minuses: the presence of those very formaldehyde resins that hold wood particles together. The fact is that chipboard releases a certain amount of formaldehyde into the air - not the most useful product, it should be noted.

There are two types of chipboard: E1 and E2.

E1 is more environmentally friendly; its formaldehyde emission rate is noticeably lower. But E2 is prohibited from being used in the production of children's furniture. The most environmentally friendly are chipboards made in Austria and Germany.

The disadvantages of chipboard include the fact that they are heavier than natural wood and are inferior to it in strength.

Fiberboard (fibreboard)

Fibreboard is made by hot pressing of evenly ground wood pulp, impregnated with synthetic resins, with the inclusion of some additives in the mass. The raw material for fiberboard is crushed wood chips and crushed wood, and to improve the performance of fiberboard, paraffin, rosin (increases moisture resistance), synthetic resins (to strengthen the board), and antiseptics are added to the wood pulp.

Like MDF, fiberboard is made from compressed wood dust - but in the case of fiberboard, the wood particles are steamed, and the board is made by wet pressing. That is why the “wrong side” of the fiberboard texture resembles the surface of cottage cheese with a “mesh”, like wet gauze. And that’s why fiberboard slabs are never thick: technology doesn’t allow it. Usually one side of the fiberboard remains like this, and the other is covered with film (laminated or laminated).

There are the following types of fiberboard:

• super-hard (density 950 kg/m³),
• solid (850 kg/m³), semi-solid (400 kg/m³),
• insulation and finishing (250 kg/m³),
• insulating (up to 250 kg/m³) fiber boards.

Fiberboard is a very resistant material to various changes in humidity. The back walls of most cabinets, the bottoms of drawers, these sheets that are rough to the touch are fiberboard. (The most expensive furniture uses plywood instead of fiberboard, but its performance properties are not much better).

Plus: low price with high durability.

When buying furniture, the question often arises: “What to prefer: laminated chipboard or MDF?” At first glance, these modern materials very similar. They are made from sawdust and wood shavings, and a quality laminated chipboard board feels the same as MDF board. So what is the difference between laminated chipboard and MDF?

MDF and laminated chipboard: what is the difference

The composition of particle board (chipboard) includes compressed shavings and sawdust impregnated with formaldehyde resins. Depending on the grade, chipboard has different quality characteristics: from a loose material with a density of 300 kg/m3 to a more durable and expensive one with a density of 600 kg/m3, which is precisely used in the manufacture of furniture.

Modern production makes it possible to minimize the harmful effects of the binder resin and improve the appearance of the slab by coating it with melamine film - lamination. Hence the name “chipboard”. The film has good aesthetic properties and does not allow formaldehyde to evaporate.

MDF boards are manufactured using advanced technology chipboard production– by drying wood fiber and hot pressing. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) contains only the smallest sawdust, compressed to a homogeneous state. Unlike chipboard, which must be thoroughly sanded before covering with film,

MDF immediately has a smooth and even surface. This board is denser and more durable, resistant to drilling and moisture compared to laminated chipboard. It is also better suited for deep milling and deformation when creating radius furniture facades. In addition, MDF board has significantly higher environmental properties due to the fact that mainly natural resins, lignin and paraffin are used as sawdust impregnation. Formaldehyde is also present, but in much smaller quantities.

To make the differences between the two materials more clear, you can compare the structure of chipboard with a heterogeneous raw material passed through a blender, and MDF with a product from a meat grinder. The density of MDF board varies from 600 to 800 kg/m3, which in conditions of high moisture allows the material to surpass even natural wood in some characteristics.

Caring for laminated chipboard or MDF furniture

There are a few general conditions care for furniture made of MDF or chipboard.

1. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is undesirable: at 75 degrees and above, peeling of the coating is possible.
2. Another factor is sunlight, which can also change the appearance of the slab. Film on laminated chipboard is more susceptible to fading, although MDF may change color somewhat with constant exposure to sunlight.
3. You also need to be careful about long-term interaction with water. If the joints of the coating are not sealed, when water gets inside the slab, the sawdust will swell, and the slab itself will lose its appearance and properties. However, this is an extreme case. In ordinary living conditions with short-term exposure to water, which is inevitable in the kitchen, the stove can retain its original appearance for a long time. MDF manufacturers claim that fiberboard can withstand even a small flood.

Chipboard or MDF: which is better?

The common advantage of both materials compared to natural wood is resistance to pests and fungal infection.

Advantages and disadvantages of laminated chipboard:

+ wide range of color coatings;
+ greater resistance to temperature influences compared to non-laminated chipboard;
+ affordable price, thanks to which laminated chipboard is a leader as a material in furniture production;

– insufficient strength, tendency to chip, especially if you need to tighten the screw several times in the same place;
– lower moisture resistance compared to MDF;
– cannot be milled;
– Harmful fumes are possible if the coating is damaged.

Advantages and disadvantages of MDF:

+ choice color solutions not inferior to laminated chipboard;
+ an exact imitation of the texture and pattern of wood is possible, while the price is comparatively lower than that of natural wood;
+ high density;
+ high resistance to chips and mechanical stress;
+ greater resistance to changes in humidity than laminated chipboard;
+ the possibility of complex decorative processing, the material is suitable for deep milling and creating any designs;
+ goes well with metal, decorated with glass inserts;

– high price, especially if the furniture has additional decor. This is due to the fact that the production of MDF is not as widely developed as laminated chipboard;
– additional care is required for decorative facades and glass display cases.

Chipboard and MDF: combining materials

Laminated chipboard is a beautiful, inexpensive, but not strong enough material, while MDF is quality characteristics superior to laminated chipboard, but sometimes this fades into the background when it comes to price. So what should you do if you want to buy inexpensively a beautiful and quality furniture? More often this question arises when choosing a kitchen: MDF or laminated chipboard?

The best option for your wallet, without sacrificing quality and durability, is to choose furniture with a combination of materials.

Laminated chipboard will perfectly fulfill its functions as the basis for the kitchen body, and MDF, thanks to the variety of films for coating and the possibility of decoration, will allow you to make beautiful facades that will fit perfectly into the interior of the kitchen. So you shouldn’t choose what’s better for the kitchen: MDF or chipboard? The answer lies in the correct combination of both materials and their rational purpose.

For example, in addition to being used in furniture frames, laminated chipboard can be used as an inexpensive, but durable and reliable tabletop of various thicknesses: from 25 to 38 mm. The plate is covered with multilayer plastic using Postforming technology. This slab is resistant to moisture and mechanical damage, so it will last for many years without requiring special care.

High-quality laminated chipboard in combination with MDF can be used in the production of other furniture, including wardrobes, beds, and furniture groups for a children's room. If the joints and connections of laminated chipboard are reliably protected, and the manufacturer has appropriate certificates confirming the environmental friendliness of the material, then such furniture is safe to use and can deservedly take its place in the apartment.

In furniture production, the most popular materials are MDF and chipboard. Their characteristics are largely similar, but there are some differences. It is not surprising that many people, when purchasing these materials, think about how chipboard differs from MDF and which is better. To answer this question, you need to understand in more detail the qualities and production method of each of these materials.

Manufacturing Features

MDF is an abbreviation that refers to the finely divided fraction of wood. This material is made from fine sawdust (almost usually logging waste. The raw materials are crushed, treated with steam, thoroughly dried and glued together. SoHow is MDF different from chipboard?

Chipboard is a chipboard, for the production of which sawdust of different fractions is used. They are mixed with synthetic or and pressed at high temperatures. A large number of resins have a negative impact on the environmental friendliness of the material. The advantage is that it is close to the density of natural solid wood.

How does MDF differ from chipboard in appearance?

Many believe that these two building materials are similar not only in production, but also in appearance. This is wrong.

The fine wood fraction has the following characteristics:

the surface of the slab is even and smooth;

When studying the cut, one can note the homogeneity and fine-grained structure of the material.

Chipboard also has distinct characteristics:

the surface is uneven, slightly rough;

at the cut site you can see pieces of shavings and looseness of the material.

Differences in use in furniture production

For those who intend to use these materials to assemble cabinets, beds or decorative elements interior, it will be useful to knowWhat is the difference between MDF and chipboard in furniture?

The finely dispersed fraction is easy to cut and process. Screws can be screwed in without special labor. Ideal in cases where curved cutting is necessary - the cut is perfectly smooth and neat. At the same time, the material is heavy and has different colour on both sides (one side is white).

More capricious in processing. The cuts often turn out sloppy and “torn”. When screwing in screws, chips and cracks may appear. The advantage is that the weight of the material is light and the sides are the same color.

Furniture makers are also familiar with another material - laminated chipboard. This board is essentially the same as chipboard, only slightly improved. The surface of the slabs is covered with a special facing film. This covering is made from paper and melamine resin.

The film is literally pressed into the surface of the slab and gives the finished products increased strength and protection from moisture. The only drawback of this material is its high cost.

How to choose correctly

Based on the characteristics of all mentioned building materials, one might reasonably ask:how MDF differs from chipboard,and for what purposes it is worth buying each material.

The finely dispersed fraction of wood is suitable for the manufacture of:

interior door panels, trims and frames;

decorative overlays on entrance doors and platbands;

interior partitions;

cabinet furniture (even for rooms with a high level of importance).

The particle board will become great solution For:

assembling cabinet furniture;

finishing works;

interior partitions;

floors

Wherein significant drawback considered vulnerable to high humidity levels. Laminated chipboard can cope with this task.

So, differences in materials used and production methods have an impact on performance characteristics slabs That is why the same product, made of particle board and finely dispersed fraction, will look different and require special care. When choosing a particular material for a specific purpose, you need to take into account everythinghow MDF differs from chipboard: weight, processing method, interaction with moisture.