Cabinets, as the main element of the kitchen, play an important role in determining the decoration of the kitchen. Cabinets are made in different designs and models so that we can choose the most suitable type according to the taste and decoration of our home. Today, most of the cabinets are made of MDF, because MDF has a reasonable price due to the good quality it offers. Also, MDF sheets are produced in various designs and colors, so you won't have to worry about coordinating the cabinets with your home decoration.
What is the MDF sheet?
MDF is a wood product made from wood fibers. After crushing, the wood fibers are mixed with wax and resin and turned into dense and durable sheets with thermal pressure. The appearance of an MDF sheet is smooth and uniform, and it can be sealed and painted. MDF sheets can be divided into three categories: light MDF (particle board), standard MDF (fiber board) and high density MDF (laminate board).
Due to its high resistance and reasonable price, standard MDF is the most common type of MDF sheet for wooden structures such as shelving and cabinet making. The noteworthy point here is that the MDF sheet is also excellent for implementing decorative projects.
The benefits of MDF cabinet
1- The first advantage of the MDF cabinet is that it is made from recycled wood chips and does not harm the nature. 2- The material of the MDF sheet and its manufacturing process make this The sheet should have a good resistance to moisture and pressure, so it does not wear out quickly. Of course, this does not mean that the MDF sheet is completely waterproof or that it is the most resistant wooden product in the market. Of course, the three-layer board has a higher resistance than the MDF sheet. 3- MDF boards have a lower price than natural wood. These boards are completely accessible and can be easily obtained.
4- Painting and sealing MDF sheet is easier than wood sheet.
5- Sheet MDF is resistant to some insects, because some chemicals are used for its processing.
6- MDF is not a natural product and does not have knots or grains in its texture For this reason, it is easy to cut and can be pierced without damage.
MDF cabinet sheets in Iran
Letron coating
Letron coating is a paper-like coating that has a very low resistance to moisture, heat, impact and scratches. Letron coating is usually used for edge banding and profile coating, and it is not recommended for making cabinets. A common question that is asked about Letron sheet is, is Letron sheet the same as chipboard? Answer: No, Letron is a type of coating that can be applied to MDF sheet, plywood or chipboard sheet. to be But chipboard is a type of processed sheet that has less density and lighter weight than MDF and is much less resistant to deformation, humidity and insect damage. Since Letron coating is widely used on chipboard sheet, some people mistakenly consider Letron as chipboard sheet.
Melamine coating
Melamine coating is a type of coating. It is anti-scratch and has a matte appearance. This covering easily sticks to the MDF sheet without the need for glue, because resin, which is considered a type of glue, has been used in its construction. Previously, it was used as a common coating for making cabinets and wardrobes and other light wooden structures, but today, despite the fact that it has a reasonable and affordable price, it is not used much anymore, because Other DFs, such as glass covers and PVC covers, have more variety and beauty.
Highglass coating
Highglass sheet is one of the most popular MDF sheets, which is widely used in cabinet making and interior decoration industry. In this type of sheet, one side of MDF is covered with a plastic coating called polyglass, which creates a glass-like transparency on the sheet and is completely waterproof. The back of the sheet is also covered with a PVC coating that has a melamine or paper look and offers different resistances depending on the material of the coating.
Glass coatings reflect light well due to its transparency. and makes the kitchen brighter and bigger; For this reason, it is a very suitable option for dimly lit kitchens. Also, this type of coating is easy to clean and has a relatively reasonable price. PVC coating (vacuum-membrane) is one of the most famous and The most popular types of MDF cabinets are membrane or classic cabinets, which have a unique beauty. In this model, MDF boards cut by CNC machine are designed in different roles; Then, using a press machine, a PVC cover is stretched over them. And it does not rot. However, it is necessary to be careful not to scratch the surface of the cabinets when working with sharp objects.
Natural wood finish
Wooden cabinets They have a special and beautiful design and match with almost all decorations; But the high price of wood makes people abandon the implementation of wooden cabinets in their kitchen. However, if you are interested in wooden model cabinets, using MDF cabinets with natural wood veneer is an excellent and affordable choice. The paper used to make these types of cabinets is The MDF sheet is covered with a natural wood veneer, and its appearance is completely similar to the appearance of natural wood. And it gives a traditional and natural air to the kitchen. But taking care of this type of cabinet is a little more difficult than other cabinets. Since wood does not inherently have a high resistance to moisture and heat, to increase the life and beauty of the wood veneer cabinet, it must be well and carefully maintained.
UV coating
UV coating is one of the newest MDF sheet coatings. The most important advantage of UV coating over other coatings is its high resistance to sunlight. This cover is 9 layers and the process of making it is long, also this cover is one of the most expensive covers in terms of price and it is not economical to use it for making cabinets.
Polished cover >
Polish cabinet is the newest type of cabinet which is used in neoclassical cabinet style. 25 mil raw MDF sheet is used to create this cover. After cutting, raw MDF is machined and engraved by CNC machine, then the desired sheets are painted in several steps and finally the work surface is polished. The polished cabinet has a glossy finish and is completely resistant to moisture and scratches; Also, the polishing coating does not change color against sunlight. This coating can be repaired if scratched and is stronger than other coatings. Currently, the polishing coating is produced only in white color and its use involves spending a lot of money.
What is the best MDF sheet for making cabinets?
Better and best are relative concepts and they are different for everyone according to taste style, financial budget, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to answer the question "Which is the best MDF sheet for the cabinet?" Consider things such as: the style of decoration, the amount of budget and the geographical conditions of your place of residence.
But in general, considering that the kitchen is a relatively humid environment and often cleaning is done, different types of MDF sheets can be examined in terms of moisture absorption, resistance to scratches and color changes, weight bearing capacity, ease of cleaning, and overall useful life of the sheet.