For those of us considering a new kitchen renovation or buying a new development project, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) for cabinetry and décor design is clearly becoming a popular, affordable, and versatile option for home interiors.
Engineered out of softwood particles to create a dense, sustainable, and eco-friendly product, MDF is an attractive option thanks to its smooth surface which is perfect for decorative cabinetry. Read on to discover the various benefits of this wood-based product and why it’s an excellent solid wood alternative for modern interior design projects.
MDF as a solid wood alternative
Unlike solid wood, MDF does not expand or contract with natural weather conditions and temperatures. This issue is especially true with painted wood pieces and cabinetry that can bubble or crack over time. MDF is far more resilient to these conditions, especially within humid climates along Southern Africa’s eastern coastline.
Furthermore, MDF is resistant to pests because of the resin that keeps the wood fibres compressed, sealed, and solid. Beyond that, one of the biggest advantages to MDF is the stainless nature of this product. MDF is grainless, which means that it can absorb higher concentrates of moisture and will therefore not warp or stain.
Beyond that, MDF is designed for exceptional ease of maintenance and is a convenient material for creating bespoke cabinetry or inlays thanks to it being easy to cut to specific dimensions.
Sonae Arauco manufactures two distinct types of Medium Density Fibreboard:
- Novowood is our standard Medium Density Fibreboard substrate which is designed for general purpose interior use only and is not suitable for exterior use or interior areas where wetting or high humidity conditions are likely.
- Novolite is our standard Thin Medium Density Fibreboard substrate which is available in either an unsurfaced or surfaced option. Novolite has a fine homogeneous surface which makes it suitable for any coated application.
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Versatile applications and finishes
Because of its smooth and grainless surface, MDF is the perfect base for painting or printed decorative designs for cabinetry. Before any designs are added, MDF is treated and sealed properly to ensure it maintains a consistent structure and surface throughout.
Innovus Decorative Products by Sonae Arauco provides an almost limitless array of design categories to choose from. If you’re looking for a natural aesthetic then our Woodgrains category has over 25 exceptional designs and patterns to choose from. For the more industrious out there looking to make a statement in kitchen cabinetry then our Fantasies and Unicolour category is more than capable of matching any contemporary look and feel.
Finally, each decorative category comes with a specific finish which adds much-needed texture to the design. The addition of our exceptional finishes breathes life into these décors giving them the exact look and the feel of the material they’re trying to replicate. From real wood to the aesthetic of hard stones like marble and quartz is all achievable through the subtle reimagining of MDF base products.
Pointers on MDFs various sustainable attributes
One of the biggest challenges to manufacturers of wood-based products is to achieve as low formaldehyde emissions as possible. Much like other particleboard substrates, MDF uses binders and resin which keeps it together and traps formaldehyde within the product. While as a whole, MDF is yet to achieve a fully sustainable status. Our manufacturing methods work to keep these levels as low as possible through the use of carefully chosen resins.
MDF is developed using locally sourced and recycled materials such as wood chippings and waste from tree felling. This means that our MDF makes use of the byproduct as opposed to using an entire tree on its own. The good news is that research and development continue to grow, which means that there is future potential for MDF to achieve full recyclable status.
For us at Sonae Arauco, the key is in the method of producing the product. All of our base-board products are manufactured using recycled wood.
For more information on our wood-based decorative panels and services, visit us at https://www.sonae.projects.coppertable.co.za/