Door paneling with MDF panels: pros and cons

MDF door cladding is used mainly on entrance doors so that they fit more harmoniously into the interior of the hallway. This method has gained great popularity due to the many advantages inherent in it, however, this solution also has disadvantages.

MDF panels are slabs of compressed sawdust glued with lignin, which is released during the heating of the wood. This material is completely natural and, unlike similar fiberboard, MDF boards are completely safe for health.

Decorating with MDF panels allows you to turn an ordinary and boring metal door into an interesting wooden option.

Depending on which type of panel was chosen for cladding, this or that unusual effect is obtained.

The upholstery of the entrance door from the inside allows it to better fit into the interior, and also contributes to insulation. An air gap is formed between the MDF panels and the metal structure, which for apartments in multi-storey buildings is quite enough for high-quality insulation. If you need to make the door warmer (for example, when it leads to the street), an insulation material is placed in the gap.

Returning again to the aesthetic side of the issue of MDF door cladding, it is worth saying that you can get the effect of not only ordinary wood panels. Nowadays, carved wood inserts are very popular, with which they trim the inner side of the doors, thereby adding chic and high cost to them.

If you decorate with MDF not only the door itself, but also the opening for it, it will turn out to make it more accurate and harmoniously combined with the door structure. Thus, another plus can be the effect of integrity.

Like each of the existing materials used to sheathe the door, MDF stands out for a number of advantages:

There are several types of MDF coatings, each of which differs from all others in its characteristics, including appearance. Thus, it becomes possible to create an absolutely unique composition by choosing a natural coating, imitation for valuable wood and similar options.

MDF is distinguished by its high resistance to environmental influences, such as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, temperature fluctuations, as well as mechanical stress.

There are no harmful compounds in the composition of MDF panels (unlike chipboard containing formaldehyde resins). Sawdust is glued together due to a substance naturally secreted by the material - lignin. It is absolutely harmless and does not cause any harm to human and animal health.

Unlike natural wood, which is so similar to MDF, the pressed panel can simply be wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust or more serious dirt.

Despite the fact that when working with MDF, all actions must be carried out carefully and accurately, the process itself usually does not cause difficulties. Moreover, you will need tools that are in almost every home, thereby freeing you from the need to buy special tools.

Despite the abundance of advantages, MDF panels also have a number of shortcomings, which for some may refuse to be grounds for refusing to use this material:

• Low impact resistance. Whatever one may say, but in which case it is possible to break through the MDF panel without difficulty. It's all about the structure of the wood board: under high pressure, it diverges, and as a result, a cavity is formed.

• Flammability. MDF is the same wood, but in a different design. Unsurprisingly, it burns easily. To avoid a slight fire, it is advised not to place panels made of this material in close proximity to the wiring (for example, if the door is practically "girded" with wires).

In total, there are three types of panels: veneered, laminated and anti-vandal:

MDF panel covered with natural veneer.

This is due to the fact that the sawdust panel itself is covered with a thin cut of wood, as a result of which such a naturalistic imitation is obtained.

Despite the fact that veneered models are the most effective and environmentally friendly, there are also significant risks. So, the type of panels with veneer is the most capricious of all those presented, since it does not allow cleaning with ordinary water, does not withstand mechanical stress, is easily scratched and does not tolerate sunlight. Of course, it is easier to care for veneered MDF panels than wood, but not much.

Laminated MDF panel. Lamination is carried out by gluing a special coating on the panel that imitates the color and, in some cases, the texture of the selected material. This option is the cheapest due to the fact that it is easy to produce, and it does not require any particularly rare materials.

The film reacts well to ultraviolet light, however, it cannot withstand high humidity or strong temperature changes.

MDF-panel covered with plastic (anti-vandal). An anti-vandal surface is obtained by applying several layers of plastic, as a result of which the MDF panel acquires many additional positive qualities.

There is only one drawback of this variety - this is the cost. Not every person is ready to shell out a tidy sum for MDF, even if covered with such wonderful material. The given type has no more shortcomings.

Below is a photo gallery of images partially showing the variety of MDF panel finishes.

Despite the fact that the opening itself was left metal, the door with MDF paneling looks harmonious with it. A beautiful paneled surface attracts attention with its traditional character, the color of the cladding is chosen several shades lighter than the color of the metal sheet itself.

In the absence of an internal (second) door to the apartment, you can finish the front door with laminated MDF panels.This will bring coziness to the room, at the same time allowing to harmoniously combine the entrance structure, which is often not distinguished by sophistication, with the interior of the hallway.

Door structures, finished using complex patterns and carvings, look interesting. For this model, a deep and rich color was chosen, which does not distract attention from the carving, but, on the contrary, shows the depth and originality of the chosen design. The door looks solid, stylish and expensive.

When decorating the door, do not forget to pay attention to the surroundings. So, the option looks beautiful when the entire door along the perimeter is also surrounded by MDF sheathing, and it is not at all necessary that the panels are the same. Sometimes it is enough just to choose harmonious colors.

A simple contrast door will become an interesting element of the corridor or hallway, and the MDF upholstery will slightly smooth out the sharpness and add comfort to the room. The color of the panels is matched to the color of the wall sconce body, which is a separate design move.

How the master upholsters a metal door with an MDF panel can be seen in the next video clip.