How to use MDF panels for walls in the interior
More and more people every day, choose mdf for wall decoration in their apartment or house. There are two main criteria: a relatively low price and a decorative component.
Of course, there are still a number of advantages of this material, but this is a topic for a separate article, and today we will talk about how varied this finishing material can be, including, what we will tell about what MDF sheet panels for walls are.
The content of the article
What is mdf
We consider it necessary to start our article with the answer to this particular question. Many have heard about MDF, but not many know what it is and what it is made of.
So, MDF is a special way compressed wood sawdust mixed with glue. A reasonable question arises: how then do MDF panels for wall decoration differ from the good old chipboard. We will answer. Here the main technological difference is that the material is pressed at an extremely high temperature, which makes it possible to make the sheet very thin, but at the same time strong and resistant to all kinds of influences.
Of the main advantages of MDF, we have already identified its cost, but the decorative side of the issue is no less important, since very often a consumer compares with pvc panels. Indeed, they are much more stable, and they are cheaper, but not so simple.
On PVC panels, the drawing is applied in the most primitive way, and therefore, they can be distinguished at a glance. MDF is a completely different conversation, here the drawing is applied by large format printing, so that it turns out to be very reliable, and distinguishing imitation from the original can be very difficult.
If this is not enough for you, then modern manufacturers are ready to offer you MDF sheets for wall decoration in a completely different design. Of course they will cost more, but they will also have the appearance, as they say, at the highest level.
MDF and its variety
MDF panels for wall decoration - the concept is very extensible and generalized. They can differ in many criteria, and now I would like to say a few words about their external coverage.
Just note that such a wide variety appeared on the market relatively recently, and about ten years ago mdf existed in only one version, and it could be used only in rooms with a stable temperature and minimal humidity.
Today, you can find doge mdf for the walls of the bathroom, and this became possible thanks to the improvement of production technology and the introduction of new decorative overlays:
- Conventional MDF panels. The cheapest material, not very resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. Such finishing panels can only be used in dry rooms, where there are no sudden changes in temperature, for example, in a bedroom or living room. The main disadvantage of such panels is their low mechanical stability. Any contact with sharp or hard objects leaves indelible scars on their surface.
- MDFV, or MDF panels for walls moisture resistant; their main difference is in a special protective layer, due to which the walls can be washed fearlessly. Moisture-resistant panels can be used in the bathroom (seeBathroom paneling: advantage and installation) or the kitchen, but do not forget that they are resistant only to a small amount of moisture, so you should not wash them under running water, for sure.
- MDF panels for walls laminated. A relatively new material on the market, the surface of which is “sealed” with a thin layer of a laminating film. Such panels, although they are more expensive, but can be used in any room, and besides, they are resistant to mechanical stress.
- Veneered MDF. Such panels are perfect for followers of eco styles. The main difference here is precisely in the decorative pattern. If it is applied to other panels by printing on high-quality paper, then here its role is played by a thin section of natural veneer. Of course, there is no need to talk about mechanical stability, but it is a truly environmentally friendly and natural finishing material.
- Cork MDF. In general, cork panels are a separate material for decoration with their own characteristics, and a significant disadvantage is the high price. Here, the manufacturers went for a little trick and developed mdf panels, but with a thin layer of cork on the surface. Such a finish is slightly cheaper than natural, and visually distinguishing it from the original is only possible for a professional.
Important! Many unscrupulous manufacturers intend to put on their products a special marking “panels for mdf walls are moisture resistant”, although in fact, this is ordinary mdf without any frills. It is almost impossible to determine a fake by eye, so either give preference to the choice to trusted manufacturers only, or ask the seller for certificates of conformity, which he must provide at your first request.
As you can see, MDF panels are a very generalized concept, and they should be selected based on the purpose of the room in which the repair is made, and, of course, from their financial capabilities, since the final cost of the product for different models can differ several times.
Difference of MDF by laying method
Today we will not talk about installation methods, and talk about how this is done. Detailed instructions have already been published on our website, and you can always read them if you wish, but for now, we suggest you watch the video in this article, which tells about the whole variety of finishes from MDF and briefly mentions how to install them yourself.
In the meantime, we’ll talk about what types of mdf finishes are and how they differ in the way they are laid.
MDF lining
Under the word lining, as a rule, is meant a special form of finishing material and the method of its fastening, which is made using the tongue-and-groove technology. That is, first the first panel is attached, and the next is already inserted into it and so on around the entire perimeter of the room.
Such installation is carried out on a specially constructed crate of wooden bars or metal profiles. The empty space between the finish and the wall serves for the natural circulation of air, so that the condensate does not go outside, but completely evaporates.
Also, this space can be used for additional insulation of the wall, which is especially important if it faces the street, or is built of light material. MDF panels are moisture-resistant for walls, they can also be made in the form of lining, but here it is important to understand that the back side does not have protection, which means that it is better to refuse to wash and clean it abundantly.
MDF sheet
MDF sheet panels for walls - this is a completely different finishing material, radically different from lining. It has no connecting grooves, and is mounted directly on the wall, pre-aligned and treated with antiseptics.
Sheet MDF costs much more, but as a bonus, when ordering such panels directly from the manufacturer, you can choose any picture from a huge catalog. Also, when ordering, you can choose the optimal panel size for your design concept. Due to their relatively high cost, sheet panels rarely suture all the walls as a whole, and make them into decorative inserts, and the choice of size here would be most welcome.
MDF tile
Another material that is mounted, as well as sheet panels, but unlike them has a strict shape and texture pattern. Such panels are perfect for decorating any room, and thanks to the overall dimensions, it is much easier to calculate the required amount for your repair.
Advice! When calculating and buying a tiled MDF, always take a small margin, about 10 percent. It will come in handy in the event of a marriage occurring during the installation process, or in case you need to replace one or several segments after a while, and in stores in your collection it may no longer be.
It should also be noted that MDF tiles do not have to be square; today you can find both a rectangular shape and even a triangular shape, which gives even more space for the manifestation of your imagination.
And in conclusion
As you can see, mdf panels for wall decoration can be very, very diverse, and which one to choose depends only on your personal preferences and financial capabilities.
And the main advice that I would like to give in the end to everyone who plans to repair using MDF is not to save on the quality of the material. Simple panels installed in the kitchen, for example, will become unusable in the shortest time, and you will have to redo everything, and this is already a dubious saving, and moreover, additional costs.
