As you likely already know, a kitchen remodel is not cheap. In fact, they can be very expensive. Depending on the quality of product you use, you could be spending a lot on just your doors. One thing to consider if you are painting is MDF doors. MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is a cheap alternative to solid wood doors that you may want to consider if you are looking to save money. While the overall quality of product is less than a solid wood door, it may be harder to tell than you think. Before making your decision though, it is important to first have a good understanding of the product.
What Is MDF?
The process of creating an MDF door is actually quite complicated. This is an engineered product, not a real wood. Known as Medium Density Fiberboard, MDF is a wood product that is created by breaking down both hard and soft woods into tiny fibers. Pairing these fibers with wax, resin and applying heat and pressure helps to form the final product. Because of this, the product is softer than plywood but stronger than particle board. So now that we know how its made, how does it compare to a solid wood?
MDF Doors and Solid Wood…
A quick answer is, that it does not. MDF doors are not a real, solid wood product, so there is no natural wood grain. A product like this is meant for paint only and cannot be stained. Because it is not real wood, it is not nearly as strong as real wood. This does not necessarily mean your doors will fall apart, we just wouldn’t recommend throwing things at them. Warping is something that may occur as well (but to be fair, solid wood can warp too). Because of these things, it is a more inexpensive alternative to solid wood. Choosing MDF doors for your kitchen will save you a ton of money. If you are already planning on painting, it is definitely worth looking into, as the final product will look identical to a painted solid wood door.
Something to Consider
Another slight drawback is that you are going to be limited to the number of door styles you have to choose from. Because of the complicated process that goes into making these doors, only the less complicated styles are available. If you are going for a modern look with white shaker, MDF doors may just be exactly what you need. You can spend the money you save on doors, somewhere else in your kitchen remodel. It is a perfectly fine wood alternative that will save you a ton of money and look the same in the end. Be sure to check out the rest of our blogs and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more exciting things from the world of home remodeling!
