When choosing cabinetry for your home, solid wood seems to always be the best material to use, right? Not necessarily. Although solid wood has many benefits such as being strong, sturdy, and aesthetically stunning, medium density fiberboard, MDF for short, is changing the face of traditional wooden cabinetry.
MDF is a high grade, composite material that performs better than traditional solid wood in many areas. It is an engineered product that is created by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming stable panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is more stable than solid woods and tends to stand better to changes in heat and humidity. Because MDF is consistent in strength and size, as well as its ability to shape well, this type of cabinetry is completely versatile, making it ideal for any spot in your home!
Strobel Design Build proudly uses Wellborn Cabinetry for many clients’ homes. Along with the wide array of cabinetry choices produced by Wellborn, MDF is amongst them. For areas where humidity levels tend to be higher, such as bathrooms or kitchens, Strobel Design Build uses Wellborn for many vanity and cabinetry needs. This is a water resistant, super grade MDF product. Because there are no grains in MDF cabinetry, it has no tendency to split.
In the construction of painted cabinet doors, MDF outperforms solid wood. The conventional frame and panel method used for building solid wooden doors involve connecting five separate pieces: four frame pieces and a center panel that is cut slightly smaller than the frame because it needs to give the appearance of floating—to allow for expansion and contraction. This is typically known as cope and stick joinery or 5-piece construction. MDF, because it’s made of processed wood fibers as panel stock, allows for a different construction method.
Unlike traditional solid wood, there are no visible wood grooves on the surface of an MDF panel. Therefore, the common problem that is encountered with wood grain and knots bleeding through paint or stain is not a factor when MDF is used, making MDF easier to customize to your personal taste.
Another consideration is cost. Often times, traditional solid wood is more expensive and not as readily available. Our Wellborn standards guarantee that we only use top quality material for our products. MDF is a better value for your money and can be more economical in many applications.
With the help of Strobel Design Build, we can help you in choosing the highest quality MDF cabinets for any area of your home. Our design experts will assist you in any project whether it be a remodel or renovation, or simply a fresh start in a brand new home. The professional team here at Strobel Design Build will create a completely customizable design to fit your unique style. Is your home ready to make the switch to MDF? Give us a call today at 727.321.5588 or email designer@strobeldesignbuild.com for more information. Together, we can make your dream home into a reality!
