Features of MDF panels for walls

MDF wall panels occupy a worthy place in a modern interior, as they are an excellent alternative to natural wood. This finishing material perfectly imitates natural raw materials, has a rich color and texture, so it can be used in any design.

MDF wall panels are a unique building product that comes in the form of small narrow strips covered with a special decor. The panels are produced using a special technology, so they are in many ways superior to conventional finishing materials.

The main advantages of MDF panels include some positions.

• Aesthetics. Unlike natural wood, which can have cracks and knots, this coating is characterized by a homogeneous structure and a smooth surface.
• Huge selection of assortment. The products are constantly updated with new design options. In addition, the panels can be made to order, choosing the decor at your personal discretion. Most often, MDF is used for the interior with an embossed, smooth, glossy or matte surface.

• Affordable price. Finishing with such material will be inexpensive, since MDF panels are much cheaper than natural wood.
• Easy to install. To fix the strips of the product on the wall, you do not need to have special construction skills.
• Reliability and durability in operation.

The main feature of installing MDF sheets is that they need to start to be fastened from the corner of the room, observing the distance between the slats of 50 cm.This is necessary in order to avoid deformation of the slats, which can be caused by mechanical stress or temperature extremes.

During installation work, be sure to use staples. regardless of whether the material imitates wood or stone. This is done for the reason in order to further strengthen the structure. Panels that imitate natural stone are much heavier than ordinary ones, therefore, during their installation, the base of the walls must be well prepared. It is also necessary to provide the material with internal ventilation, which will prolong the life of the finish and increase thermal insulation.

MDF wall panels are a widely used finishing material, which is characterized not only by many positive properties, but also by a huge selection.

Depending on the production technology, the following types of panels are distinguished.

• Solid pressed. They are narrow sheets with a smooth surface on both sides. They are produced by pressing wood chips under high pressure and temperature.
• Laminated. These are wall panels, which in their structure resemble solid-pressed sheets, but in contrast to them, at the final stage of production, the material is covered from the front side with a polymer film. Thanks to this, the product acquires high resistance to moisture and mechanical damage.The film can be of various colors and shades.

• Moisture resistant. Such panels are made from dense raw materials, which are of high quality and are not afraid of the negative effects of high temperatures. These sheets can be used in any wall decoration and have the same properties as decorative or wash panels. This material is great for wall cladding in bathrooms, looks beautiful in the decor of loggias and balconies. In addition, MDF wall panels differ in the way the front part is decorated:
• Veneered. Outwardly, they resemble natural wood, since their top layer is made on the basis of a real solid wood veneer. The veneer thickness usually does not exceed 3 mm. Due to the fact that the texture of ash, oak and other valuable types of wood is used in the manufacture of the material, such panels are characterized by a unique and natural design.

• Glossy. Materials differ from other types of products with a beautiful glossy surface, which is created by lamination and application of a polymer film.
• Painted. They are the most common panels in decoration. Outwardly, they can have both glossy and matte shades - it all depends on the composition of the paint that is applied to the rough surface of MDF.
• Paneled. They are produced exclusively from valuable wood species and there are no polymer elements in their structure.

Wall panels can also vary in shape and size. Depending on these indicators, three types are distinguished.

• Rack and pinion. They are long but narrow in width.
• Tiled. They are a square product. They are easy to install, look aesthetically pleasing and look like tiles.
• Leafy. They are produced in large sizes and are used not only in wall cladding, but also in furniture production. They have high strength and original design.

MDF wall panels are very popular in modern design, while they are most often used for interior decoration. This material is considered ideal for preparing walls for decoration, since the surface of the sheets can be used as a basis for cladding. Products are characterized by high sound and heat insulation, do not have external defects, so they can be chosen for the design of the corridor and hallway.

Such panels are also a good finishing material for flooring. A floor lined with MDF is equated to a laminate. In addition, wall products can be found not only in the interior of residential premises, but also in offices, decoration of columns and arches. The walls decorated with natural wood look in shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels look original. Due to the fact that MDF panels come in different textures and colors, this allows them to be used in construction: beautifully decorate platbands, cornices, skirting boards.

Modern production technologies make it possible to produce MDF wall panels with various textures and designs. The most popular types are veneered and laminated products imitating natural wood. Indoor decor can be adequately decorated with MDF sheets made for sakura, pine, mahogany, alder or maple. Their surface can have either a glossy or matte surface, or be complemented by a pattern with a 3D effect or photo printing.

Designers try to create different interpretations of the material. Particularly noteworthy are wall slabs, the surface of which is finished to look like glass or metal. Carved and openwork panels, which can be combined with any finishing material, also look unusual in the interior of rooms.

MDF panels have different colors, so choosing the right shade when decorating the wall design will not be difficult. Before choosing the color and texture of this material, you need to take into account the general palette of the room. Therefore, at first, the main background of the interior is determined, after which it can be complemented by colored panels. As a rule, white, gray, olive and beige colors are recommended for decorating rooms. An interesting option for decoration will be slabs imitating a tree such as oak or wenge.

Walls decorated with orange, red and yellow materials will visually expand the room and fill it not only with bright colors, but also with an unusual atmosphere. For the design of kitchens, it is recommended to choose green MDF, which helps relieve stress and has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Products in pink and purple look special: a designed design in such a palette will acquire a certain mystery, but since such shades are bright, they cannot be used in large quantities. It is best to combine them with light colors. The most natural color is brown - it is most often used when decorating walls in the kitchen and in the corridor.

As for the white, gray and black shades, they are in perfect harmony in any interior. To brighten up the solidity of a room whose walls are decorated with panels of this color, it is recommended to use bright inserts and original decor items. In addition, many designers prefer to use beige MDF in the interior, since this shade combines chic and restraint at the same time.

Today, MDF wall panels are presented on the construction market by many domestic and foreign manufacturers. Products manufactured by Kronostar have proven themselves well. The products have received many positive reviews because they are of high quality and affordable prices.

Production panels are also very popular. P&M Kaindl... They are characterized by an original texture and are reliable in operation. The manufacturer deserves special attention "Aquaton"... The company is well known in the world market and produces wall panels in various sizes and finishes. In addition, Aquaton slabs are characterized by an original decor that can be applied to any design style.

More than 35 types of panels were presented by the manufacturer Plitspichprom CJSC... They meet all European standards and are manufactured using special equipment. Among the chic assortment of products, laminated and veneered panels are in great demand, which are a budget option for construction and amaze with a beautiful decor.

In order for MDF products to decorate the surface of the walls in an original way and serve for many years, before purchasing and installing them, it is necessary to take into account not only the characteristics of the material, but also the design features of the room.

To speed up the installation process and avoid various mistakes during it, you must follow the following recommendations.

• Wall cladding panels can only be attached to well-prepared surfaces.To do this, the walls are thoroughly cleaned of old finishes, leveled, eliminated defects and primed. Since plastering or the use of drywall requires special tools and knowledge, the panels can be simply installed on a metal or wooden frame. At the same time, we must not forget that a plastic film should be placed between the frame and the panels, which will help to avoid dampness of the walls. In the event that there are large cracks and other flaws on the surface of the walls, they will have to be covered with alabaster or cement mortar.
• To avoid deformation of products, they must be installed only on dry surfaces, therefore, if the walls have been treated with plaster, they need to be given time to dry and only then carry out the installation.

• The decorative finish will only be perfect if the wall panels are correctly joined. The material is characterized by the presence of special side edges, therefore, during installation, they must be connected in such a way that the grooves go into the ridges.
• Cleanliness must be observed during assembly work. Otherwise, dust and dirt can compromise the integrity of the fasteners, and seams will be visible.
• Before installing the finishing material, it is necessary to carefully consider the interior of the room and draw up a preliminary sketch. Thus, the installation will be completed much faster. In addition, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the room where the panels will be placed.

• MDF products on a plastic basis are easily exposed to mechanical stress and do not make it possible to beautifully implement design ideas, so they are best chosen for non-residential premises.
• When buying a finishing material, you need to pay attention to the marking indicated on the labels. According to it, you can determine the indicator of toxicity, flammability and smoke formation. As a rule, according to these characteristics, 4 classes of products are distinguished. Therefore, the higher the figure of the indicator, the worse the material is considered.
• For rooms with high humidity, it is recommended to buy panels that have undergone special processing. Otherwise, such a finish will lose its attractiveness over time and undergo deformation.

• Before purchasing wall panels, you should carefully check each package for defects. It is also important to see that the products correspond to the same shade, since the material from different batches may slightly differ in pattern and color.
• Locking joints on the panels must be solid. If flaws are noticed, then the product cannot be bought, since in the future there may be problems with its installation.
• For large rooms, it is best to choose tiled or sheet panels. As for small rooms, rack options are suitable for them, which will help to visually expand the space. In addition, it is necessary to clarify when buying whether painting of the material is possible.

• MDF wall products can be installed in a wide variety of rooms, from active halls and cafes to rooms in apartments or houses. For many builders, such a finishing material may be associated with "official" and boring decor, but in reality it is not - thanks to the chic choice of colors and textures, beautiful and stylish compositions can be created from such panels. At the same time, in the interior decoration of rooms, products look good not only with imitation of wood, but also other natural materials. In addition, wall sheets can be perfectly combined with various inserts, so you can get a stunning design effect.
• When choosing panels for decorating a living room, it is important to consider what functions the room will perform, and how many spatial zones it consists of. Most often, the walls of the living room are decorated with products in a classic style. They do this in such a way that they are a kind of continuation in the decor of the fireplace, doorways, stairs and other interior items. At the same time, it is recommended to alternate panels for light and dark wood, or to combine two shades at the same time. For example, the living room looks original, in which one wall is sheathed with light oak panels, and the other with dark wenge-like panels.

• In addition, in rooms that combine a recreation area and a dining room, you can make a combined paneling horizontally. From the bottom to the half of the wall, a dark material will be placed, and a light one will be placed on top. To hide the places between the transitions of colors, it is recommended to install additional decor from a wooden plank. It is also interesting to look in the living room walls, which are paneled vertically from floor to ceiling. Due to the fact that the material attached to the base acquires a plank structure, the surface is striped, as a result of which the space visually expands.
• Laminated MDF products will become a real decoration for the kitchen. As a rule, a material with imitation of wood and natural stone is chosen for this type of room. With the right design, such panels will help make the room modern and stylish, fill it with home coziness and comfort. Most often, veneered or laminated MDF boards are used for the kitchen - they are close to wood in their beauty and structure, so it is recommended to place them in the dining area.

• In addition, MDF wall panels can completely replace ceramic tiles in the kitchen, as they have a great advantage over them. The dining area, decorated with such panels, will take on an interesting look. The choice of material colors depends on the size of the room. For small kitchens, it is recommended to use light panels, and for spacious rooms, you can use maximum imagination and combine MDF wood-like sheets with panels of a different texture. Thus, you will get an unusual interior that allows you to visually divide the kitchen into several zones.
• Partitions covered with wall panels also look good in the kitchen. In this case, it is best to give preference to expensive veneer sheets or lacquered tiles. Products with photo printing look unusual on such partitions.

• A common problem in kitchen design is the difficulty of choosing a finishing material for sheathing the working area, which is located between the lower and upper rows of furniture. Thanks to moisture-resistant MDF panels, these places can be turned into a real work of art. For this, tiles with a pattern are selected and additionally covered with glass. Thus, you get a beautiful apron that will harmoniously fit into any style.
• MDF panels are also widely used in the design of hallways. Since this room is always furnished with furniture and is characterized by its small size, it is necessary to correctly select the shape, texture and color scheme of the finishing material to cover its walls. It is advisable to give preference to light shades - they will hide the lack of space in the room and visually expand the boundaries of its space.

• As for the bathroom, it also deserves a decent design. Traditionally, the walls in this room are tiled, but the tiled finish fills the space with "cold" and clearly delineates the room. Therefore, MDF panels will be an excellent choice for the bathroom.To get a beautiful effect in design, it is enough to decorate one of the walls.

The soft texture and unusual shades of the panels will not only radically change the look of the room, but also give it a harmonious look. Due to the fact that the material is characterized by high moisture resistance, it can be used to sheathe walls anywhere: near the shower stall, between the hanging furniture and near the washbasin. In addition, the products perform zoning of the room and add chic to the interior.

How to install MDF panels on the wall, see this video.