How to Build a Fitted Wardrobe Using MDF (Step-by-Step Guide)
- 1. Determine the Space You will first need to decide where you intend to place your wardrobe. ...
- 2. Set Your Dimensions Once you've measured up your space, you will then need to set out the overall dimensions of the wardrobe. ...
- 3. Get the Right Tools ...
- 4. Define Compartments ...
- 5. Shelves & Drawers ...
- 6. Materials & Finishing ...
- 7. Hardware & Handles ...
Full Answer
Can you use MDF for cabinet doors?
You can make cabinet doors out of MDF even if the cabinets are made of plywood, wood or some other material. MDF always has to be painted, but you can choose a color that blends with the cabinet material, even if it is stained or unstained wood.
What is the best way to cut MDF?
Cutting MDF: If you try to cut MDF with a utility blade, you'll chip the edges. Instead, use a blade with a minimum of 40 teeth. A carbide-tipped, 80-tooth plywood-cutting blade is best. Wear a dust mask and goggles because MDF creates copious amounts of dust. Fastening MDF: You can fasten MDF with finish nails, staples or screws.
How can I Make my Old MDF bookcase look like New?
Secure molding around the upper portion of a bookcase and the front of each shelf using wood glue, or miter the ends of the trim and create a paneling effect on doors or drawers. Find unique pulls and knobs and use them in place of the standard, often boring, MDF pieces: simply fill in the old holes and drill new ones to accommodate the updates.
What is the best way to connect MDF cases?
Screwed butt joints are the simplest way to connect case components. Glue is not very effective because the edges of MDF are porous. Drill pilot holes to prevent edges from splitting. Biscuits add moderate structural muscle. Biscuit joints can be cut quickly, and make pieces easy to align without mechanical fasteners.
Can you build cupboards with MDF?
MDF, with it's nearly perfect dimensions, is an ideal choice for cabinet construction. It cuts and assembles into pieces that, when built into a cabinet, provide a stable base for adjustable shelving.
How are MDF cabinets made?
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is a material manufactured by breaking down softwood and hardwood residuals into wood fibers. These wood fibers are compacted with wax and resin, formed into panels, and applied with high pressure and temperatures in order to create a durable, condensed board.
How do you join two pieces of MDF together?
Yellow glue and screws make solid joints in MDF, Bob, but not just any screws. Bear in mind that this material has less screw-holding power than solid wood or plywood, and tends to split. When joining 3⁄ 4 " MDF, we recommend using #8 deck screws (featuring straight shanks and deep threads) at least 1- 1⁄ 2 " long.
Is MDF strong enough for cabinets?
MDF has great strength, does not noticeably shrink or expand with temperature, and has a uniform surface without grain or knots. It is also less expensive than plywood. For these reasons it is commonly used by woodworkers in cabinetry and other projects.
How long will MDF cabinets last?
Around the 5-7 year point, an MDF kitchen will exhibit significant age and wear signs. Although an MDF kitchen may be a less expensive option for a quick refresh, read on if you want something that will last!
Is MDF stronger than plywood?
When it comes to strength, plywood is the winner. MDF is a softer material than plywood and tends to sag or split under pressure. That's why it's important to reinforce it if you're going to using it to build shelves or other weight-bearing furniture.
Can you screw directly into MDF?
Use straight-shanked screws. The “regular” tapered woodscrew is like a wedge that's specifically designed to split MDF apart.
What kind of screws do you use for MDF?
SPAX T-Star plus zinc trim head MDF/Fiberboard screws are specifically designed to prevent splitting in medium density fiberboard (MDF) and hardwoods without pre-drilling. Our T-Star trim head specialty screws are also effective for attaching lightweight, high-density polyurethane trim.
What glue is best for MDF?
Most PVA wood glues, plastic resins, and epoxies will do an excellent job of adhering MDF to MDF or even MDF to wood. But when it comes to adhering MDF to another surface (such as drywall), an all-purpose epoxy or plastic resin is the best way to go.
What are disadvantages of MDF?
What are the downsides of MDF?Engineered wood is easy to damage. One of the main differences between solid and engineered wood is the surface. ... MDF is heavier. ... MDF is vulnerable to extreme heat Remember that engineered wood is made out of wax and/or resin-like compounds. ... MDF can't support too much weight.
Does MDF sag over time?
MDF is commonly used for shelving in closets and cabinets because it's inexpensive and smooth. But MDF isn't as stiff as plywood and will sag over time.
How do you seal MDF?
Seal the MDF with PVA Glue: You can seal MDF surfaces with thin layers of PVA (white or carpenter's) glue. Most PVA-based carpentry glues require dilution with water to get a thin sealing layer on your MDF (which can cause the MDF to swell).
Are MDF kitchen cabinets good?
MDF not only looks good but is durable. Due to the make-up of MDF, it's a strong and durable material to be used in kitchens. MDF also lasts well. MDF comes in a variety of colours and finishes.
How do you make MDF?
The general steps used to produce MDF include mechanical pulping of wood chips to fibers (refining), drying, blending fibers with resin and sometimes wax, forming the resinated material into a mat, and hot pressing.
Do MDF cabinet doors hold up?
MDF, like wood, expands and contracts when there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity. But unlike Wood, MDF does not warp. This is because the board, thanks to its structure, moves as a unit. Even with extreme changes in humidity and temperature, you do not have to worry about any damage to the cabinet doors.
What's the difference between MDF and melamine?
So, what's the difference between melamine and MDF? Melamine and MDF are both engineered wood, but melamine is more like water-resistant particleboard that can be made from several types of manufactured wood, while MDF is made from fused wood fibers. This makes it stronger and more comparable to natural wood.
What Is MDF?from finewoodworking.com
MDF stands for Medium-Density Fiberboard. It is an inexpensive product made from sawdust and glue. This handy building material is excellent for building many furniture types, including shelves, cabinets, dressers, and more.
Who mended the Shaker chest of drawers?from finewoodworking.com
Years of experience mending antiques led to the methods Tom McLaughlin used on this Shaker chest of drawers to ensure that it will live to be an antique someday, too.
How many setups for dado grooves?from finewoodworking.com
Tongues and dadoed grooves require two setups. You have to mill matching shapes in mating pieces, but case assembly is a breeze.
Can you use MDF cores with plywood?from finewoodworking.com
MDF cores are not as strong as most lumber and plywood, but when joining together pieces of MDF, you can use just about any joint that you would use with plywood: butt joints with screws, biscuits, splines, fully rabbeted edges, and rabbeted tongues in dadoed grooves (see photos, right).
How to cut MDF?
Cutting MDF: If you try to cut MDF with a utility blade, you'll chip the edges . Instead, use a blade with a minimum of 40 teeth. A carbide-tipped, 80-tooth plywood-cutting blade is best. Wear a dust mask and goggles because MDF creates copious amounts of dust.
How to cut MDF with a utility blade?
Cutting MDF: If you try to cut MDF with a utility blade, you'll chip the edges. Instead, use a blade with a minimum of 40 teeth. A carbide-tipped, 80-tooth plywood-cutting blade is best. Wear a dust mask and goggles because MDF creates copious amounts of dust.
Why is MDF hard on router bits?
Because of the hardness of the resins that bind the fibers, MDF dulls saw blades quickly, so it is good to have an extra blade on hand. The dense material is also hard on router bits and drill bits.
What happens if you hit a cabinet door with a plate?
Remember that the edges of MDF are vulnerable to impacts. If you repeatedly strike the edge of a kitchen cabinet door with a plate or bowl, the MDF is bound to chip. Again, the only realistic fix is to replace the door.
What is the best material to use for cabinet doors?
If you're building cabinets, and you aren't familiar with medium-density fiberboard, then it's time to get acquainted. MDF is one of the best materials you can use to fashion cabinets and make cabinet doors, but if you're encountering it for the first time, you need to know a bit about it before you use it for a project.
Why is MDF so heavy?
Advertisement. The reason MDF is so heavy is that it consists of a densely packed mixture of resins and wood fibers. It's similar to particle board, but the pressure used to compress it is much higher.
How to make a finger grip on MDF?
Add a design touch by routing the edges of the panels, which works best if the doors overlap the openings. A common technique is to round the outside edges of the panels with a roundover or ogee bit and use a cove bit to create a finger grip on the inside bottom edge. Routing MDF board this way eliminates the need for handles.
What is MDF kitchen cabinets?
If you have a kitchen renovation with a small budget coming up, you've probably taken medium-density fiberboard (MDF) cabinets into consideration. MDF may be less durable than wood but it also comes at a much lower price tag.
What is MDF made of?
MDF is an engineered product made from soft and hardwood residuals ( such as sawdust) and is held together by glue or resins. The materials and production process make MDF much heavier than most woods but also give it a smooth surface that is perfect for painted cabinets.
What is shellac in MDF?
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug that is native to Thailand and India. Shellac doesn't just give your MDF cabinets a shiny finish, it also toughens up the material and prevents dents and other marks. 3.
What to use to seal MDF cabinets?
Use prime: When the MDF panels are sanded and cleaned, a coat of primer will help to seal the cabinet doors. It's important to use a solvent primer that is oil- or alcohol-based as the fibers will absorb water-based primer causing the cabinets to swell.
Why are MDF cabinets so resistant to pests?
The material is further resistant to pests and bugs because of the resins that hold the wood fibers together. The biggest advantage of MDF kitchen cabinets is that they come at a considerably lower price tag. Because the fiberboards are grainless and will absorb fluids, you can't stain them.
How much does MDF cost?
The average cost for MDF cabinets is $100 - $280 per linear square foot, the thicker the fiberboard, the higher the price. This makes MDF cheaper than most woods. It comes in at about a third of the price of maple wood which costs between $250 - $400 per linear foot. You can find a breakdown of kitchen cabinets cost in our guide. Although MDF cabinets are more affordable than solid wood, the material is quite strong and can last just as long if maintained properly.
What is the best alternative to wood cabinets?
If you're planning to paint your cabinets, MDF may be a better alternative than wood.
How to make a wardrobe?
It's fairly simple to build a wardrobe yourself by using affordable MDF boards . Just go through the following steps to see for yourself. 1. Determine the Space. You will first need to decide where you intend to place your wardrobe. Measure the space so as to plan it out.
What is the purpose of defining all the compartments in a wardrobe?
This is to make sure that you define all the compartments that there will be inside the wardrobe, as well as the various panels and parts you will have to have for each and every one of them.
Is it easier to make a drawer or a shelf?
Shelves are even easier to make than drawers!
Do you need to sand MDF?
MDF is smooth, so there is no need for sanding, other than at the edges where the cuts have been made.
Do you need drawer runners for drawers?
You will also need drawer runners for drawers. You will need knobs or handles for drawers and for the wardrobe doors. Corner brackets are recommended for more sturdiness, and you will also need brackets for the shelves. And that's practically it... you're virtually done! As you can see it is really easy.
What is MDF?
Screwed butt joints are the simplest way to connect case components. Glue is not very effective because the edges of MDF are porous. Drill pilot holes to prevent edges from splitting.
Who mended the Shaker chest of drawers?
Years of experience mending antiques led to the methods Tom McLaughlin used on this Shaker chest of drawers to ensure that it will live to be an antique someday, too.
How many setups for dado grooves?
Tongues and dadoed grooves require two setups. You have to mill matching shapes in mating pieces, but case assembly is a breeze.
Can you use MDF cores with plywood?
MDF cores are not as strong as most lumber and plywood, but when joining together pieces of MDF, you can use just about any joint that you would use with plywood: butt joints with screws, biscuits, splines, fully rabbeted edges, and rabbeted tongues in dadoed grooves (see photos, right).
What is MDF wood?
Medium density fiberboard, or MDF, is a highly versatile, inexpensive wood product that has many applications, including shelving, cabinetry, furniture and moulding. Made from heat-pressed recycled wood fibers and resin, it is available in laminate, veneer and paint finishes, is very strong, easy to work with, and is less likely to tear and chip.
Can you use polyurethane on MDF?
You can also create waterproof MDF by adding a high quality wood sealant, varnish or stain or moisture-resistant paint so that your project can withstand threats of moisture and humidity. Do not use waterborne polyurethane, as it may not bind readily to the MDF’s surface.
Is MDF a good material for sanding?
Compared to the standard MDF, moisture-resistant MDF is still easy to sand and mill, takes well to most adhesives, veneers and paints, but is made with a moisture-repellent resin.
Is MDF waterproof?
It should be noted that whichever method you use, MDF is moisture-resi stant, not water-resistant, nor waterproof, and is still prone to swelling and warping if in direct contact with the elements.
Can MDF be used outdoors?
While it should never be used outdoors or in an application where it’s regularly exposed to water, there are two approaches to “waterproofing” MDF so it can withstand moisture in high humidity areas: use ure Resistant (MR) MDF or make it water-resistant yourself.
How to paint MDF furniture?
If the MDF furniture is currently unfinished, sand the edges smooth and use a solvent-based primer rather than a water-based product to prevent bubbling. Choose an opaque finish in white, black or a bold color such as cherry red for modern or traditional spaces. If you prefer a more rustic look, prime and paint the furniture as usual and then dip a dry brush in white paint. Quickly brush the paint over the piece, leaving plenty of streaks. Go over everything with steel wool to blend, revealing a bit more of the base color underneath. This creates a distressed look without actually exposing the MDF below, and is often the best way to mimic a real wood piece.
How to make MDF look more expensive?
Make MDF furniture look more expensive by drawing the eye away from the overall look of the furniture and focusing it on a unique detail. For bookcases and dressers, this can be as simple as installing wallpaper, decals or other decorative materials on the area behind the shelving, along the top of the piece, or on the face of drawers or doors. This gives any item a more custom appearance and is extremely cheap to accomplish. Apply wallpaper samples with decoupage medium, or use temporary wallpaper, which is essentially sheets of printed, self-adhesive vinyl, to the MDF. You can also paint the area a different color, either solid or with stenciling, or add curtains across openings in armoires or bookcases to dress it up.
Can you put wood trim on MDF?
Wood trim, available in everything from small strips to elaborate, inches-thick molding, is easy to install on MD F and gives it an upgraded, expensive look. Secure molding around the upper portion of a bookcase and the front of each shelf using wood glue, or miter the ends of the trim and create a paneling effect on doors or drawers.
Is fiberboard furniture the same as wood?
Although medium-density fiberboard furniture isn’t of the same quality as solid wood furniture, it is cost-effective, often environmentally friendly, and incredibly durable. Perhaps MDF's biggest flaw is the fact that it can be plain in design, including the finish and hardware options. To make it look more expensive, dress it up with fresh trim, a new finish and creative accessories and upgrades.
Why won't MDF board warp?
Here’s why: 1. MDF Board Won’t Warp or Crack. When you expose solid wood to humidity or sudden temperature changes, you risk warping and cracking. This phenomenon occurs whenever the wood expands. Cracks are especially noticeable on painted surfaces. MDF, on the other hand, doesn’t warp or crack.
Why don't termites like MDF?
Bugs don’t like MDF. That’s because MDF boards have a high glue content, which insects don’t enjoy eating.
Can you paint solid wood cabinets?
Many homeowners prefer to paint their kitchen cabinets. Yes, you can easily paint solid wood cabinets, but you won’t be able to cover up the grain of the wood. Painted wood often looks splotchy as a result.
Is MDF good for bathroom renovation?
You don’t have to worry about wood rot, and the material will hold its shape in wet rooms. That’s why many contractors recommend MDF for both kitchen and bathroom renovations.
Does MDF crack or warp?
MDF, on the other hand, doesn’t warp or crack. Although the material still expands and contracts, it moves as a single unit. As a result, you don’t have to worry about uneven cabinet doors. 2. MDF Is Easier to Paint. Many homeowners prefer to paint their kitchen cabinets.
Is MDF water resistant?
If bugs make you queasy, MDF is the way to go. 4. Manufactured to Be Water-Resistant. Wood and water don’t mix well. Unfinished wood is prone to rot when exposed to moisture. Cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom are likely to get wet at some point.
