Carpentry and Woodworking - Unpainted MDF Safe for Household Use?
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Unpainted MDF Safe for Household Use?
dani214
06-13-04, 04:32 PM
My husband and I are new to home improvement and have a dilemma about the use of MDF inside the house. We've replaced the floor of the kitchen sink cabinet with a sheet of MDF. Is it safe to leave it unpainted? I'm worried about it getting wet and disintegrating, the unpainted particle board was there 30 years until we had a leak and it collapsed. Thanks for your help.
Dani
Dani
Doug Aleshire
06-13-04, 05:45 PM
Dani,
MDF belongs to the hardboard family of products which are made from wood fibers glued under heat and pressure. Medium Density Fiberboard typically has densities between 33 and 50 pounds per cubic feet. It basically is a much better version of particle board!
MDF has many qualities that make it an ideal replacement for plywood or particle board. It is dense, flat, stiff, has no knots and is easily machined. Its fine particles provide dimensional stability without a predominant "grain" (as is the case with lumber). Unlike most plywoods, MDF contains no voids, and will deliver sharp edges with no tearout.
Anytime a WOOD product such as this that could possible be subjected to water, it is recommended that it be painted. As in your case, I would caulk the perimeter edges after painting to ensure that you avoid or at least minimize potential damage should something leak, including under cabinet storage of cleaning chemicals.
Hope this helps!
MDF belongs to the hardboard family of products which are made from wood fibers glued under heat and pressure. Medium Density Fiberboard typically has densities between 33 and 50 pounds per cubic feet. It basically is a much better version of particle board!
MDF has many qualities that make it an ideal replacement for plywood or particle board. It is dense, flat, stiff, has no knots and is easily machined. Its fine particles provide dimensional stability without a predominant "grain" (as is the case with lumber). Unlike most plywoods, MDF contains no voids, and will deliver sharp edges with no tearout.
Anytime a WOOD product such as this that could possible be subjected to water, it is recommended that it be painted. As in your case, I would caulk the perimeter edges after painting to ensure that you avoid or at least minimize potential damage should something leak, including under cabinet storage of cleaning chemicals.
Hope this helps!
dani214
06-13-04, 05:57 PM
Doug,
Thanks so much for your speedy reply and all the information. I'm so glad I fouund this site, as my house is 30 years old and starting to need some work. Thanks again.
Dani
Thanks so much for your speedy reply and all the information. I'm so glad I fouund this site, as my house is 30 years old and starting to need some work. Thanks again.
Dani
Doug Aleshire
06-13-04, 06:22 PM
Dani,
You're very welcome! If you need anything, DoItYourself.com has the resources to help. With all the members who share what they know, porfessional moderators who also can assist, you get the best and it's all free!
Good Luck and keep coming back!
You're very welcome! If you need anything, DoItYourself.com has the resources to help. With all the members who share what they know, porfessional moderators who also can assist, you get the best and it's all free!
Good Luck and keep coming back!