The Features & Benefits of MDF

The Features & Benefits of MDF

Many Decor Systems products are made using an MDF substrate. Because of this, it’s important to address some questions about MDF's safety and sustainability as well as top-level facts that demonstrate why MDF is one of the safest and most sustainable wood products on the market today.

In this article, we'll address the following:

• What is MDF?
• How it is made
• Busting some myths around the safety of MDF
• Why it's important to buy quality MDF
• MDF and the environment
• How MDF is finished

What is MDF?

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product with a smooth surface and uniform-density core ideal for moulding, shaping, cutting, and routing. MDF board can be easily painted, cut, machined and cleanly drilled without splintering or chipping. MDF sheets come in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses.

In Common Speak, MDF is wood panels created essentially from wood shavings and sawdust. While that might make it sound like a cheap and low-grade product, it is far from this. MDF is extremely strong and stable and is free from wood grain and knots which makes it particularly useful where precise machining, detailed patterns, and smooth finishes are essential.

For classrooms, hospitals, sports halls, theatres, churches and more, MDF is a wonderful substrate that will ensure strength, durability, and accuracy when it comes to perforations.

How is MDF made?

MDF is traditionally made by breaking down wood fibres into residuals, then mixing them with wax and resins and heat pressing the mixture into dense and durable sheets. A sheet of MDF will be heavy, smooth, and even, with a flat surface that can be painted or sealed.

Is MDF dangerous?

Formaldehyde Emission

The main concern regarding the health risks of MDF is the use of urea-formaldehyde adhesives as the bonding agent during the creation of the panels. Formaldehyde has been thought to have cancer risks. However, studies linking cancer to formaldehyde have not been conclusive. In fact, formaldehyde is naturally produced by plants, humans, and animals as part of the metabolic process.

Furthermore, all Australian-made MDF is LFE - low formaldehyde emission - and meets the E1 classification as specified by the Australian Standard for these products. Unfortunately, some imported panels are stamped with low formaldehyde emission, but testing has shown that these products are six or seven times higher than the E1 Australian Standard. So, it is necessary to confirm Australian manufacture as well as LFE. Decor Systems will only ever supply Australian-manufactured LFE MDF.

Dust

Many people are concerned with the dust emitted when cutting MDF. However, fixed woodworking machinery will have dust extraction equipment fitted as part of the system (The Decor Systems machines sure do!).

Monitoring has shown that under these conditions and with normal ventilation, dust levels will stay well below the safe occupational limit of 1 mg/m3 for hardwood dust and 5 mg/m3 for softwood dust.

The good news is that Decor Systems panels are all prefabricated and delivered to the site ready for installation, so little or in most cases no cutting is required on-site!

Why is it important to buy quality MDF?

Inexpensive MDF panels are likely low-density. When low-density MDF is cut, there is a fuzzy fibrous finish exposed that requires numerous paint coats to create an even surface. Low-quality MDF that requires more coats of paint is actually far more costly than a good-quality MDF with a smooth finish and fewer coats of paint.

Low-grade MDF may swell or break when it meets water. If it’s not sealed correctly, it will warp and expand. Using low-grade MDF increases the risk of complaints from end-users and warranty replacements.

At Decor Systems, we offer standard MDF or Moisture-resistant and Fire Retardent MDF.

Our FR MDF comes with a Group 1 Fire Certificate which makes it suitable for use in most applications.

We can also supply black core MDF or another colour of your choice.

Is MDF Sustainable?

MDF is very sustainable and environmentally friendly!

Because MDF is constructed primarily from wood fibre, many wood shavings and other portions of the wood that might normally be discarded can instead be recycled into MDF production.

This both reduces waste and means a higher percentage of trees harvested are used to create valuable products, putting less strain on our forests, and creating sustainable construction practices for years to come. MDF panels are some of the greenest products available.

Our MDF is FSC and GECA certified, which means it is eligible for Green Star points.

How is MDF finished?

MDF is used as a substrate for our panels which means you can choose from any number of finishes. We have SmartLook laminate finishes for a cost-effective solution or natural timber veneer finishes for when a more organic look is desired. PTW Architects decided on a Canary Yellow finish for Penrith Public School. The options are truly endless!