The first thing that is considered when choosing furniture for the kitchen is its functionality. But no less important is the attractive appearance. Yes, you need to consider the price of furniture. Many people want to get high-quality and beautiful furniture for little money. But which is better: MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?
Material for the facade of the kitchen
The materials for the arrangement are as follows:
- Chipboard;
- MDF;
- tree;
- framework;
- aluminum profile.
If everything is clear with wood or aluminum, then the abbreviations for chipboard and MDF are questionable for many. These materials are widely used in modern furniture manufacturing.
The creation of materials such as chipboard and MDF, allows you to develop a wide range of products for the home, including for the kitchen. Which is better: MDF or chipboard?
For the kitchen, the furniture must withstand temperature fluctuations and high humidity. The cabinet doors are constantly subject to mechanical stress, they are opened with wet hands. Therefore, the facade of a kitchen set is usually made of MDF, and the side walls and shelves are made of chipboard. This is due to the characteristics of the materials.
What is chipboard and MDF
Chipboard is a laminated chipboard. It is obtained by pressing sawdust. But first they are treated with formaldehyde resin. Then it is laminated - covered with a paper film impregnated with melamine resin. Water-resistant chipboard is made by paraffin or its emulsion.
Particleboard predecessor appeared in the 40s of the last century. For its decoration, not only lamination is used, but also plastic, veneer, acrylic and even artificial stone.
MDF is a wood fiber board obtained by pressing dried chips. Before this, paraffin is added to it. They make the material durable. Sawdust used for the production of MDF is very small. Therefore, the product obtained from it is much stronger and denser. There are not so many resins harmful to humans in such products. Such a plate appeared in the 60s of the last century.
So what is better, MDF or chipboard for the kitchen?
The advantages of waterproof chipboard
Perhaps its main advantage is the low cost of chipboard. The price of a sheet varies from 220 to 400 rubles. It depends on the thickness, which can be from 8 to 25 millimeters.
Products from this material well tolerate humidity and high temperatures, which are often found in the kitchen furniture made of chipboard.
The price also depends on the type of decor.
The color range of products from LDPS is quite wide. Often she repeats the colors of a tree of different species.
Disadvantages of chipboard
Firstly, it is rigidity, because of which it cannot be milled.
Due to the presence of various resins, the chipboard is a toxic material. This indicator depends on which resin was used in its manufacture. Least of all harmful substances is in plates of class E1.
Nevertheless, even countertops are created from chipboard. Chipboard is coated with HPL plastic, also called laminate, using postforming technology. Particular attention is paid to the quality of the seams. If it is bad, then moisture gets to the sawdust, the countertop board swells and loses all its qualities. LDSP worktops are often not very high quality.
MDF Benefits
The material is easy to process using milling tools. It turns out a patterned relief surface.
PVC film of various colors can give the furniture a modern and stylish look. She is not afraid of the effects of acids and household chemicals. Apply various enamels for furniture decoration.
MDF products are fire resistant. They do not swell from moisture. We can say that the material in its characteristics is much closer to wood than chipboard. The surface of the kitchen MDF (gloss) is beautiful and original. The use of special effects (mother of pearl, chameleon) makes it possible to obtain beautiful and original products. And if you take into account the presence of all kinds of colors, then the manufacturers have great opportunities to create beautiful and original products for the kitchen.
Disadvantages of MDF
Higher price than products made from chipboard.
The coating may peel off at temperatures above 75 degrees.
Frame facades
Frame facades are used. The frame from MDF profile is supplemented with inserts from chipboard, metal, glass. The frame is finished with PVC-film or veneer. Their advantage is the low price and the ability to create a large number of different design options.
Disadvantages - fragility, difficulty in care. Frames are sometimes loosely connected, which leads to shakiness of the product.
End processing
The postforming method consists in the fact that paper-laminated plastic is already bent at two ends. Others are treated with a decorative edge after they trim the desired size.
Most all four ends are treated with PVC, acrylic or aluminum rim. The color of the edging may contrast with the color of the furniture.
The softforming method consists in processing the edges of the workpiece with milling cutters with a rounding out. The decorative film at the place of cut is glued butt.
MDF with enamel
Very effective products can be obtained by decorating MDF products with enamel of various colors. First, the surface is primed, painted, dried, and ground. A subsequent coat is applied, then a few more.
After processing the last layer, the surface is varnished. After drying, polish again.
The advantage is a beautiful view, the disadvantage is the high cost in comparison with a plastic or film coating. Such furniture can fade in the sun, fingerprints remain on it. The back of the doors is usually white. In addition, from mechanical shock chips appear that are not repairable.
What's better
So which is better: MDF or chipboard? It would be nice for the kitchen to produce all the furniture from MDF, and not just the facades? Yes, she would be stronger. But much more expensive. Therefore, they often use just such a complete set.
MDF has a higher density. This will not only extend the life of the products, but also make it possible to decorate them with various carved patterns and decorative ornaments.
Furniture created in this way has a beautiful appearance, the facade is indestructible. Of course, this furniture is not as durable as wooden, but with normal care it will serve the owners faithfully for a couple of decades. And during this time, perhaps, new technologies will be created to produce better furniture. The kitchen from MDF reviews collects different. Mostly, consumers like the look, but are not satisfied with the quality of the countertops.