Anyone trying to get their home interiors done knows these terms, MDF and HDF. They become familiar with them and depending on who they speak with, they will either think this a good thing or a bad thing. So what exactly is MDF and HDF?

MDF means Medium Density Fiber board. HDF means high density Fiber board. As the names suggest, they are similar to each other with the difference being in how densely the fibers are packed inside. They are made using very fine particles of wood mixed with adhesives and then pressed and baked together to make boards. These boards come in various thicknesses and used as per requirements.

HDF is obviously more expensive compared to MDF. It is also stronger. Usually (not necessarily always), MDF is reddish in color while HDF is greenish in color. This helps in distinguishing between the two since there is no other way to figure out which one is denser.

As you might understand, engineered wood is manufactured in factories using normal wood which is processed in different ways. This makes both MDF and HDF called as engineered wood.

Even though MDF and HDF are made using material which is evenly spread out in the entire volume of the board, since they are pressed together, they have to be made in the form of boards. Hence, just like plywood and particle board, their sheets can also be cut and made into several boxes. This makes them very suitable as a replacement or as a complement to plywood. We will separately discuss the pros and cons of using MDF and HDF over Plywood and particle board.

MDF and HDF have very smooth surfaces. This is because they are made of fine grains. This makes them very suitable for several polish and paint finishes like PU, polyester etc. They are also evenly dense throughout their volume. This also helps in doing some amazing CNC work using them. This is not something possible with plywood. As far as strength is concerned, HDF is definitely as strong as good plywood though it might be a bit more expensive.

MDF and HDF have low gripping ability. If a screw is fixed inside, it stays good for some time but if there is lot of movement, the screw will start moving around a bit. For this reason, MDF and HDF may not be used for making carcass though they are very good for making doors and shutters. Thicker sheets of MDF can also be engraved and made into

The most common usage of MDF and HDF is in making PU or duco doors. CNC cut doors are usually made using these materials. If strength is not a requirement for that place, then MDF is a good option to go for these. Shutters made for European finish kitchens are also made in HDF or MDF. Nowadays, normal doors made in plywood are also being replaced by MDF and HDF by many companies. This is done primarily for own cost saving since the surface of MDF is smooth. Hence less adhesive is needed in factory to stick the laminates or acrylics.

As always, its important to know what the various material are before taking a decision. To compare what various brands are providing, you can connect with us and our comparison engine will help in your shortlisting process.