MDF doors: advantages and disadvantages

Interior doors help to make your home cozy and beautiful. There are many requirements for such designs. They must be reliable and durable, and also have a stylish appearance. Manufacturers produce many types of doors made from different materials. The best choice is considered to be door leaves made of MDF.

The abbreviation MDF stands for finely dispersed fraction (in other words, it is a board made of medium-density wood chips). This material is obtained by pressing chips under high temperature conditions. To make the layers more durable and reliable, specialized adhesives and melamine are used in the production of MDF boards. These substances help to reduce the content of harmful vapors during heat treatment.

Doors from MDF are high-quality canvases, the merits of which have rightly been appreciated by millions of domestic consumers. Such products have the following advantages:

• Resistant to sudden temperature changes, fluctuations in humidity levels. When these conditions change, the canvas will retain its original appearance. It will not dry out or crack.
• Small weight. Due to their low weight, the structures will not sag over time.
• High strength indicators. Plates perfectly resist mechanical stress. The thicker the MDF sheet, the more powerful loads the canvas can withstand.
• Resistant to fire. Fine-dispersed boards are "not afraid" of fire thanks to the specialized additives that are part of the material.

• Huge selection of colors and textures. Thanks to a wide range of models, it is possible to choose a product for any interior and style.
• Affordable price.
• Ease of care.
• Environmental safety.
• Durability. Plates are not subject to the decay process, due to which they are able to maintain their "marketable" appearance for several years of operation.

There are two types of MDF doors, different in design:

• panel board;
• paneled.

The former include the frame, filler and outer cover. Panel canvases can be either solid or have decorative inserts (most often made of glass). The frame of such models is made of pine.

On top of the base, MDF layers are attached, the resulting voids are filled with filler (cardboard or hardboard). In more expensive models, wood chips are used as a filler. Such products are characterized by increased strength and weight.

Paneled doors include a wooden or metal frame, in the middle of which panel inserts are located horizontally or vertically. MDF canvases are installed on top of the frame. Such doors are completely collapsible structures. They are lightweight and original in appearance.

Interior door kits are:

• Swing. These are classic options used in the interior arrangement of houses or apartments. Depending on the models, they can have 1, 1.5 (one sash is half the size of the other) or 2 sashes.
• Sliding. Basically, such solutions are used for zoning space. With their help, it is possible to make a partition by dividing one large room into two. These models have gained popularity among owners of small apartments or studios.

Most of the manufacturers of door panels in the manufacture of products are guided by standard openings of residential buildings. In this case, there is no point in reinventing the wheel - everything has been thought out and calculated for a long time.

The standard door width for the bathroom and toilet is 600 mm, for the kitchen 700 mm and for the rooms 800 mm. The height of the curtain for all types of premises is 2000 mm. However, there are models with a height of 1900 mm and canvases of 2300 mm under the ceiling. The thickness of the structures is 30-40 mm. It is worth considering that the thicker the canvas, the heavier it will be.

The cladding of the product is an external coating, on which not only the appearance of the door will depend, but also its properties (moisture resistance, resistance to temperature extremes, mechanical stress, ultraviolet rays).

The following materials are used for cladding door leaves:

• Veneer. It is considered the most expensive cladding. Natural material is made from solid wood by cutting off its top layer. This coating preserves the natural texture of the wood. It is applied to a special adhesive under high pressure.
• Artificial veneer (alternative to natural). Also made from wood with the addition of adhesives and resin.

• Polyvinyl chloride film. Thanks to the PVC finish, the product can be given any shade. The film is applied to the web at high pressure and temperature in a specialized chamber. With its help, products with any relief and shapes are pasted over. Doors with PVC finish are inexpensive and moisture resistant products.
• Laminate. In appearance, the material resembles a PVC film. It is applied to the canvas in the same way as PVC.
• Enamel. Products can be painted in any shade. Doors covered with enamel in several layers are additionally varnished. It gives the product additional resistance to moisture, temperature, mechanical stress.

Manufacturers also offer to purchase doors primed for painting. Their main difference is their low price. However, buying such a product, it is too early to enjoy the money saved.

Doors from MDF are produced in any color variation - from neutral shades to cold dark tones. When choosing the color of the product, first of all, you need to focus on your preferences and the style of the room. The door leaf can either be combined with the tone of furnishings, floors and walls, or be a kind of contrast that brings originality to the room.

The most popular are the following colors:

• White;
• beige and brown;
• Red;
• bright (yellow, green, blue, pink, light green).

Shades of natural wood are popular. Dark doors painted in wenge, teak and walnut colors are in great demand. These options will perfectly fit into strict classic interiors.

Bright colors are the solution for the brave and creative people who are not afraid to experiment. It is worth considering that the shade of the canvas is combined with one or more pieces of furniture in the room. Bright colors are suitable for rooms decorated in Art Nouveau style.

A door made of MDF can become a component of an apartment, house, office or administrative premises.Each of the presented models of door leaves is individual. They differ in design, cost, performance and technical characteristics. Therefore, in each of the premises, a specific type of product should be selected. For example:

• To the kitchen it is better to choose a door from a reputable manufacturer. For the dining and kitchen areas, it is advisable to buy products with high resistance to high humidity and grease.
• For bedroom the ideal solution would be to install a blind door. It will not “let in” noises from the “outside” into the room and will keep the room warm.

• For living rooms pretentious models with glass inserts or paneled canvases are suitable.
• For bathroom furnishings rooms take a look at classic products without inserts and other decorative elements. The best solution would be canvases lined with PVC film or laminate.

To make the "right" purchase and not regret your choice in 1-2 years, you need to pay attention to:

• Coating type. The best quality, durable and reliable facing is veneer. When choosing any "shell", it is important that the coating does not delaminate, and that there are no bubbles or other defects under it.
• Edge. In a quality product, it adheres to the end as much as possible, covering the material from which the frame is made.

• Soundproofing. The best doors are products made of solid MDF sheets.
• Warranty obligations. Manufacturers provide warranty coupons and quality certificates for quality doors.

When choosing products, refuse to buy cheap canvases. Often they are made from low-quality raw materials in violation of the rules of technology.

In order for door structures made of MDF to retain their "pristine" as long as possible, they need proper care. All door models can be washed with water using a soft cloth and specialized detergents. Manufacturers cover all canvases with protective compounds that protect MDF layers from moisture. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid that the structure will "swell" during wet cleaning and lose its presentability.

A sign of an elegant and original interior - interior doors in the same style. Their color scheme should be the same in all rooms, despite the interior design of the rooms. Such a single composition will tell about the professional and responsible approach of the owner to the arrangement of the home.

To create a beautiful interior, remember:

• Doors with warm shades will suit the style of country and ethno. They will bring coziness and comfort to the room, add warmth to it.
• For classic interiors, you can choose both warm and cold colors. They will tell you about the strictness of the owner and his exquisite taste.

• If the room is decorated in minimalism, give up doors with decorative inserts, elaborate carvings and decorative painting. The best solution is classic models without finishing elements or with their minimum quantity.
• Bright door leaves will perfectly match the high-tech style.

Well-chosen door groups will tell you about the good taste of the owners. They will create a cozy and pleasant atmosphere in the apartment, and will also become the hallmark of the home.

You can learn more about MDF doors in the next video.