In fact solid wood cabinets will opt for mdf doors.
Mdf vs solid wood french doors.
Of course solid wood like anything has its pros and cons.
Mdf is an abbreviation for medium density fiberboard.
Mdf vs solid wood.
They get them with wood stiles and even in a fire rated door to match for the garage to house passage door.
Traditional solid wood doors are prone to warping and shrinking joints.
There are several reasons for this.
It s actually recycled wood so it is also beneficial for the environment.
In layman terms solid wood is essentially the natural lumber while the mdf is categorized as engineered wood.
More often than not solid wood is primarily used for the construction of cabinets while mdf is used for specific components such as the door center panels.
Typically the most expensive choice but the only option to consider when not painting a door.
Most builders don t get the full mdf doors you see at the big box store.
Exterior doors made from wood typically use solid wood construction for strength and security.
With interior doors however you have other options.
As a matter of fact engineered wood is a mixture of redwood fibers veneers resin and adhesives.
To make mdf the manufacturers take the scraps of wood leftover from the production of wood boards and beams that might normally end up burned or in a landfill and turn it into mdf by adding glue and heat pressure.
People tend to look down on mdf and automatically assume solid wood is the better choice.
Mdf doors are actually quite simple to maintain and are cleaner than solid wood doors as they are free from rotting warping and other types of damage.
If this makes you conclude that mdf is inferior to solid wood hold your horses.
What the industry calls a wood door is not always a solid species wood door.
Several combinations of masonite door construction are more stable.
It s strong sturdy and features a beautiful natural look to it with grain patterns.
Many people come into our store wondering the difference between mdf vs solid wood.
Mdf vs solid wood.
Solid wood doors are made either from a solid wood slab or more commonly a frame and panel construction that uses natural wood whether a softwood like pine or a hardwood like oak or maple.
Mdf doors are all heavier doors and provide high levels of privacy and noise control.
In homes mdf wood is mostly used in constructing cabinet doors.
Additionally their sturdy fabrication means that maintenance is typically limited to a fresh coat of paint or finish along with occasional cleaning with a damp cloth.
But unlike wood mdf does not warp.
The benefits of solid wood.