Medium Density Fiberboard vs Wood Trim
When you hear the anacronym MDF what is the first thing you think of? For me, it's Ikea furniture! That's not all bad though. Most of us have needed some inexpensive furnishings at one point in our lives! When it's not so good is when MDF is used unknowingly, like in your cabinets or in areas in your home where it's not the best material. One of these areas would be the trim in your home. This includes window and door trim and baseboards.
MDF is wood! It is wood particles leftover from the creation of other wood products like beams and lumber. The particles are heated and pressed together with glue and/or resin to make the board. Great use of what would otherwise be wasted! MDF has a very smooth surface vs the grain and sometimes knots found in solid wood products. For this same reason, MDF takes paint very well and will give a sleek modern look to the finished product.
Some less than wonderful things about MDF would be that it weighs quite a bit more than real wood, it damages easily and it can not support any significant weight. Exposed tops and ends of MDF can be extremely difficult to finish to an acceptable appearance. The biggest downfall of MDF would be its lack of ability to survive exposure to water! For this main reason, it is not a good choice for trim in your home! Any standing water where MDF is present will cause the MDF to split with no hope of repair.
Of course, the alternative for your trim is solid wood. Depending on the species and grade of the wood, the grain and knots will vary. Maple has very little grain and no knots and knotty alder will have extreme grain and a lot of deep knots. Pine is a soft wood with grain and knots and oak is hardwood with various grades that range from no grain and no knots to more of both. The available species are quite extensive and the range of cost is just as varied.
Solid wood will paint well and cut ends will not be an issue as long as a sharp blade is used. Solid wood will shrink and expand if the in-home environment fluctuates too much. This will result in seams in the wood separating and requiring wood putty to repair. Any damage to solid wood can be sanded and puttied to repaired when the wood is painted. Stained wood can be more difficult to repair but it's doable.
So in conclusion, MDF and solid wood both have their purpose. Simply important you know where to use each!
