In the last few years, Wood has received increasing attention in the construction and renovation market. With concerns raised about stability and the carbon footprint of the building, new construction techniques and ground-breaking possibilities in the use of timber have developed rapidly. This interest in Wood stems partly from its renewability, although this advantage depends on sustainable logging and the proper management of forests to be allowed to regenerate naturally.
However, it is the flexibility of Wood that serves as the primary impetus for its extensive use. Wood can be used in various stages of a single project and with different degrees of processing and finishing from boards, floors, beams, and even thermal and acoustic tiles and insulators.
In manufacturing ceilings, kitchen cabinets, floors, and even wall coverings, boards are a practical and economical way of incorporating Wood into buildings. There are various choices for wooden boards available on the market, and each uses a different manufacturing process involving particles, fibers, fragments, or sheets. In this blog, we let you know the difference between MDF, Plywood, and Solid Wood.
What is MDF?
Medium Density Fiberboard or MDF is an engineered wood product. It is readily available as sheets of thickness 0.1Inch to 1.5Inch. MDF is made by breaking wood residuals or sawdust into fine particles. Then, these particles are hard-pressed into a sheet with resin binders and wax at high pressure and temperature.
Strengths of MDF
- MDF is generally cheaper when compared to solid wood and Plywood.
- The surface of MDF is very smooth and makes for an excellent base for painting
- MDF is denser and more well-built than particleboard.
Weaknesses of MDF
- If not sealed well, it soaks up water and other liquids like a sponge and swells.
- As MDF is a dense material, it is very heavy and hard to deal with.
- It can easily suffer damages and sags if not installed with care.
What is Solid Wood?
Solid Wood is a natural wood obtained from trees. The trees are firstly decked, after which the timber logs are cut in sawmills to smaller sizes. These blocks of woos are directly used for making furniture and other wood products.
Strengths of Solid Wood
- Durable and will last you in the long term
- Simple beautiful look
- Solid Wood can come in various shapes and styles
Weaknesses of Solid Wood
- Moisture can be an issue if not properly sealed
- It is vulnerable to both cold and heat
- Solid Wood can become a victim of woodworms, termites, and other pest infestations
- Solid Wood can be a bit expensive
What is Plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood item made by pressing and binding wood veneer sheets together into a board. The sheet layers or plies are at 90 degrees to each other for dimensional stability.
Strengths of Plywood
- It is a rigid material to use at home because it is made up of multiple layers of veneer.
- Plywood does not soak up water and other liquids. Thus, it is less susceptible to damage.
- It can easily hold screws tightly since it is made up of layers, and each layer provides the screw more holding.
- Plywood comes in various designs and thicknesses.
Weaknesses of Plywood
- It is more expensive than MDF, and the higher the grade, the higher the price
- As it shows layers on the surface, it has to be finished well with timber or other decorative moldings
- Plywood should not be left exposed, and therefore hard to create designs with
- It can easily crack, and the edges that have layers may have voids when not cut accurately
