Standard sizes of MDF panels and boards. Tables. Characteristics. Weight.

What kind of material is this? Decoding the abbreviation

MDF is an abbreviation that comes from the English language. Literally translated, the name of the material sounds like MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD. The first letters of these words served as the basis for the creation of a familiar colloquial term. Translated into Russian, the name of the material stands for medium-density fiberboard.

Composition and Characteristics

In terms of its structure, MDF is a wood fiber board consisting of crushed sawdust. During the manufacturing process, the raw materials are cleared of sawdust and converted into a powder state. Then the resulting composition is treated with steam and an adhesive base is added: lignin and paraffin.

Among the main advantages of MDF are the following characteristics:

• Resistance to dynamic loads. To break an MDF panel, a force of 15 MPa must be applied. According to mechanical properties. The material is significantly superior to solid wood.
• Environmental Safety. The release of formaldehyde from the panels must meet the requirements:

  Test method	Release rate into air	Purpose of tests
  Chamber method according to GOST 30255-95	no more than 0.124 mg/m3 air	Qualification and control periodic tests
  Gas analysis method according to GOST 53867-2010	no more than 3.5 mg/m2 per hour	Production control

• Reliability. The material has increased moisture resistance, is absolutely neutral to temperature changes and direct sunlight.
• Easy to process. With high strength, MDF is easy to process; if desired, you can decorate the panel with decorative cuttings.
• Density. MDF from 600 to 850 kg/cub.m. Fiberboard is also produced in low density (LDF) from 200 to 600 kg/m3 and high density (HDF) over 800 kg/m3 .

It is worth noting that fungus and mold do not appear on the slabs.

MDF or PVC: which is better?

It’s worth clarifying right away that two finishing materials (MDF and PVC) are widely used in home construction and have no complaints about quality. Therefore, when choosing, you need to focus on the area of ​​application. For example: MDF is considered more environmentally friendly, so it will be suitable for decorating a nursery or living room without any problems. PVC is impervious to any aggressive influences, so it is often used to decorate bathrooms and kitchens.

It is worth noting that PVC has minimal weight, so when installing it is quite possible to do it yourself. However, this material is very susceptible to mechanical damage, so even a slight blow can damage the surface. MDF is more resistant to external influences, but it cannot remain in a humid environment for a long time.

Types of wood-fibrous material

There are many varieties of MDF on the domestic market, so problems with choosing a finishing option usually do not arise. The assortment of construction stores usually includes the following categories:

1. Laminated . A special film is applied to the surface, which gives standard panels different shades. The surface can be matte or glossy.
2. Veneered . This is quite expensive material. Here, veneer made from valuable wood species is glued to both sides of the panel.
3. For painting . This is a special type of MDF designed for self-painting. The surface is coated with a special compound that ensures adhesion to dyes.
4. Wall panels . Such products are very convenient in terms of installation for interior decoration. A “groove-lock” fastening system is used here, which ensures reliable adhesion of the elements to each other. It is worth noting that the wall panels are attached with a stapler or glue.
5. Moisture resistant . This material is impregnated with a special composition, so it can remain in high humidity conditions for a long time. In their properties, such panels are very similar to PVC.
6. Flexible . The material is resistant to dynamic loads, so it can bend without receiving mechanical damage. Typically, such panels are used when decorating arches.

MDF boards are used to make interior doors, decorative kitchen splashbacks and cabinet furniture facades. External parameters depend on the type of application.

Production

Lignocellulose fibers from coniferous trees or any hard wood are used to make panels. Using the “dry” method involves choosing a breed whose fiber moisture content is up to 20% when it is in the molding stage.

In order to obtain the finished product, wood fibers are subject to temperature and pressure. In this case, an adhesive substance is added that does not cause allergic reactions. What raw materials are suitable for producing MDF?

These are exclusively natural materials:

• sawdust;

Sawdust

• knots;
• lumber.

Lumber

To obtain the finished product, the raw materials must be refined, softened with the addition of hot steam and a special screw mechanism. Next, glue is added. The next step will be drying the material. This will take time and also adherence to technology.

In order for a dry mixture to form, it is necessary to lay the material on the plate and gradually compress it. After the product has taken shape, it must be processed using the required pressure and temperature.

In this state, the material is able to change colors from light to chocolate shades. When the slab has cooled to normal temperature, it must be cut to the required size. Next, the slab is trimmed.

dimensions

Depending on the area of ​​application of MDF, the dimensions of the facing material also change. Here you can derive the following standards:

• Wall panels. The standard length of the wall panel is 2.62 meters, however, some manufacturers produce products with lengths 2.44 and 2.8 m. Width may vary within 100-900 mm. Panels are divided into types depending on width P-1, P-2, P-3, P-4, P-5 (100, 125, 150, 175, 250). With panel thickness 3-30 mm. The thickness of veneered MDF can reach 60 mm.
  Compliance with quality requirements:

  Specific resistance during normal coating separation. MPa, not less	0,4
  Coating abrasion resistance, rpm, not less	30
  Hardness of protective and decorative coating, microns. no more	120
  Warping, µm/m, no more	1.5

• Plates . The length of the material is usually about 1.5 meters , width - 100-900 mm . The thickness of MDF boards varies between 6-24 mm .
• Facades . Considering the various options and dimensions of furniture, there are no strictly defined standards. The following parameters can be considered as a basis: thickness 16 mm , height 140-934 and width 296-596 mm .
• Aprons . For the manufacture of decorative aprons, furniture panels are usually used, which have the following characteristics: length - 3,000 , width - 600 and thickness 6-10 mm .
• Countertops . This element must be resistant to dynamic loads, so the following dimensions are used here: length - 1,000 , width - 600 and thickness 28-38 mm .
• Doors . MDF doors are usually made according to the following standard: thickness - 35-45 mm , height - 190-200 cm , width - 70-90 cm . Read more about door and opening dimensions >>>

It is worth noting that the dimensions given may vary depending on the manufacturer.

Table of parameters of polished sheets.

Table of parameters of laminated sheets.

Table of parameters of sheets laminated with paper film.

Varieties and characteristics

All panels of this type are made of plastic called polyvinyl chloride, which everyone is accustomed to abbreviating as PVC. The differences between all types of such planks are their size, coating and thickness. These are the main parameters in which they may differ from each other.

Standard sizes of PVC ceiling panels vary within fairly wide limits and are:

• Width – 25 centimeters
• Length – from 3 to 6 meters
• Thickness – from 5 to 12 millimeters

Non-standard dimensions are also manufactured, while the length of one part can reach 6 meters, and the width reaches 50 centimeters. But such solutions can be found very rarely. Basically, finishing is done in traditional sizes and the main difference is the thickness of the material and the finishing of its front side.

The last characteristic mainly influences the choice of one model or another. The main thing is the appearance of the resulting coating, and here another feature appears - the coating can be either with clearly visible boundaries between the parts used, or without seams.

This is influenced by the type of panels - they can be seamless or regular. Seamless design means that after installation, such planks are connected tightly, without any gaps, ensuring a continuous plane. These panel options cost a little more than regular ones.

On standard parts there are no gaps between them either, but the connection point is quite noticeable. You can see what a ceiling made from these and other types of PVC panels looks like in the photo below.

A classic example of the use of this material. The covering is installed in the bathroom. Its characteristics allow you not to worry about the safety of such a ceiling for many years. Such finishing is not afraid of moisture and various fungi or molds do not grow on them.

Here, seamless PVC panels are used to decorate the ceiling. They really create an almost continuous plane and the joints between the planks are almost invisible. This is greatly facilitated by the special pattern on the front side of the part.

MDF weight

The external dimensions and thickness of the panel play a key role. Weight according to dimensions is given in the tables above. Let's see how the weight of an MDF panel measuring 2,800*2,050 mm (the maximum value on the market) will change, depending on the thickness of the product:

• 3 mm – 16 kg.
• 6 mm – 31 kg.
• 12 mm – 60 kg.
• 22 mm – 106 kg.
• 28 mm – 142 kg.

It is worth noting that the weight of the decorated panels will vary slightly upward.

Length

The typical length of a wall panel is 2.62 m, while some manufacturers have launched products with lengths of 2.44 and 2.8 meters.

The parameters and sizes of the boards vary depending on the MDF manufacturer. So, for example, the popular brand Kronospan produces panels in sizes 2600X200 mm, 2600X325 mm, 2600X153 mm and 2600X200 mm.

The world-famous manufacturer HDM offers panels with parameters of 1300X198 mm and 2600X198 mm. Finally, the Russian one produces panels in a single size 2600X238.

Each manufacturer (within its size range) produces a wide variety of panels, differing in texture and color.

Standard panel colors. Texture

Thanks to modern technologies, you can choose the shade of MDF panels to suit any interior design. In particular, on the market there are textures like stone, natural wood, imitation metal surfaces, copper, silver and mother-of-pearl.

However, the most recognized are the standard MDF colors that imitate solid wood. Here you can select the following colors:

• Apple tree
• Nut
• Ash
• Cedar
• Bleached oak
• Cherry
• Ash

Such panels accurately imitate wood and are suitable for finishing any interior space.

Manufacturer HDM

The German company HDM produces moisture-resistant MDF panels used for finishing rooms with high humidity. Their products are also popular with customers due to a wide range of colors and textures: products imitate different types of wood, wild and noble finishing stone, etc.

The HDM company is one of the few that produces panels of different lengths: 130 and 260 cm. The thickness and width of the products are always standard: 0.6 cm and 19.8 cm, respectively. The size of the panels you choose determines the height at which they will be mounted. For example, to finish half a wall, you can buy products with a length of 130 cm, and if the surface is sheathed up to the ceiling, it is better to give preference to a product with a length of 260 cm.

In St. Petersburg and Moscow, MDF from Germany can be purchased at a price of 460 rubles per m2, but this is the average cost of HDM panels, and it can be significantly higher for products of improved quality and exclusive colors. Since the material is sold per m2, the height of the product does not affect the cost, the main thing is that when cutting them there are fewer scraps left.

How to paint?

If necessary, you can refresh your boring interior by repainting the surface in a different color. It is worth clarifying that the procedure is quite complicated, but quite doable on your own. Here are the following stages:

1. Prepare the dye. The best option for painting MDF would be to mix paint and hardener in a ratio of 1:9, respectively. To prevent the composition from hardening, regular stirring is required.
2. The basis. The panels must be sanded and primed. The thickness of the primer layer should vary between 100-140 microns. The primer usually dries within 2-6 hours.
3. Painting. At this stage, several layers of paint are applied, each thickness is about 80 microns. The finishing layer can be polished to give the surface a glossy finish.
4. Drying. For the dye to “adhere”, it is necessary to keep the painted panel for 8-12 hours at room temperature.

If we talk about paint, then the following emulsions are suitable for MDF:

• Alkyd or oil based.
• Contains polyurethane resins.
• Nitro paint of NC category.
• Aerosols on acrylic base.

In addition, special enamels for painting MDF are sold.

Accessories. Clamps for fastening panels

What is a gluer for MDF? Essentially, it is a small metal plate that is used during the installation process. The clamps are inserted into special grooves and screwed to the sheathing with self-tapping screws. The result is a reliable mount that remains hidden after installation work is completed.

The clamps are marked with numerical indices from 1 to 6. The marking is deciphered as follows: this is the distance from the base of the part to the locking tongue in millimeters. When installing wall panels, clamps with the index “2” are used, however, everything depends on the specific thickness of the material.

Price

As already mentioned, natural wood has a high cost, which makes such material unavailable for widespread use.

MDF wall panels, the sizes of which are characterized by variety, are more accessible, since their cost is cheaper.

The cost of the panels will be determined by several indicators:

• dimensions;
• processing technology.

In comparison with wood material, wall panels for interior decoration of MDF differ:

• ease of processing;
• affordable cost;
• naturalness of production;
• variety of design;
• ease of installation and operation.