Stylish furniture made from natural MDF furniture board is known for its reliability and high strength. Thanks to the properties of the board, furniture facades can be decorated with milling. A huge number of colors and textures provide fashionable aesthetics to furniture sets. The material has universal characteristics, moderate cost and minimal maintenance, which is why it is popular among buyers.
To protect the surface and obtain different decor options, plastic and special films are used.
How to choose materials?
When choosing furnishings, most people start with design and quality. The appearance of the furniture continues the theme of the interior and pushes other characteristics into second place. The next issue is the durability of materials and fittings, thanks to which the furniture retains its current, fresh decor for many years.
Modern production uses solid wood, plastic, furniture boards made from natural raw materials with various coatings. The quality of furniture products and the price depend on the materials. High cost does not always automatically mean that a headset is better than others. The installation location is of great importance. Kitchen furniture requires completely different priorities in order to maintain an excellent appearance during intensive use:
- Resistant to thermal shocks.
- Reliability of the design.
- Resistant to water and active food ingredients.
- Adaptability to layout.
- Stable under high weight loads.
- Design functionality.
- Easy care.
All consumer requirements are met by MDF furniture board made from pressed crushed wood. Depending on the surface finish, the material has different characteristics and decorative capabilities.
What is MDF?
Composite materials are made from shredded wood fibers that are bonded with wax and resins under high pressure and heat to form uniform sheets of varying thicknesses. MDF or medium density fiberboard has various decorative finishes - monochrome colors, imitation stone patterns, different types of wood. Due to the beauty of their decor and excellent combination of properties, sheets are widely used in the production of cabinet furniture:
- Budget savings and ecology
The main component of MDF is sawdust, shavings of different types of wood, which are crushed to a homogeneous mass. Despite the complexity of the processes, the slabs are noticeably cheaper than natural solids, but at the same time retain their natural origin and meet environmental safety requirements. The uniform rigidity and density of the board is widely used to create cabinet furniture.
- Easy installation
The modular furnishings can be easily arranged in the available space. Products are delivered ready-made or assembled on site. Excellent fittings ensure comfortable operation and long-term use without repair.
- Durable decorative surface
The homogeneous composition of the slabs with high density allows you to create original shapes, three-dimensional patterns, and perforations. The furniture is produced at the factory, so the finishing is done using innovative equipment.
What MDF coatings are used for kitchen furniture?
Decorative coatings for composite panels are applied using different technologies and materials:
- Postforming is a relatively new method of cladding kitchen facades from MDF. The slabs are protected by a layer of plastic, which is firmly glued to the base and provides protection from external factors. Plastic is resistant to abrasion and chemical compounds. An important difference between postforming and other lining options is the continuous surface.
- Acrylic is another plastic coating option. This decor is always glossy and bright. Minor damage can be easily removed by simple sanding.
- PVC film is an inexpensive, durable coating with wide design possibilities.
- Softforming is the decoration of a furniture board with a laminating film in several layers together with polymer resins.
Due to the peculiarities of the kitchen atmosphere, temperature fluctuations, and high humidity, the main materials for the kitchen are plastic and film.
Comparative analysis
Furniture facades MDF PVC and facades coated with paint have certain features that it is advisable to analyze and compare in order to make the right choice. Let's make a comparison:
- Film is cheaper than paint. Consequently, film-coated facades will cost less.
- The film is more resistant to mechanical stress. It is not as easy to scratch as it seems. It can withstand relatively high temperatures. Not afraid of moderate exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A surface coated with paint is easier to damage as a result of mechanical stress.
- You can clean the film surface without paying special attention to the choice of cleaning product. A painted façade can only be cleaned of dirt using special products.
- MDF PVC kitchen facades are somewhat less moisture resistant. Read the rules for using facades!
- When covering a facade with enamel, you can combine colors and create different effects. When using film, this is more difficult to do.
Here are just a few comparisons that already show that paint and film are completely different coatings with different properties.
Film is more practical and costs less. Therefore, you need to proceed from what is more important for a person who wants to purchase a kitchen with MDF facades. To dispel doubts about the quality of film facades, we wrote an article MDF facades: myths and misconceptions!
MDF White wood + gold patina
Kitchen facade patina silver
MDF facade with “Wave” milling
MDF film facade patina
MDF film facades
The main advantages of film finishes are affordability and modern aesthetics. The dominance of sales of such furniture is explained by the variety of bright designs with voluminous texture on the facades, which cannot be obtained on other surfaces.
Visually, the finish on the surface of finished furniture is difficult to distinguish, but laminate has some features:
- The technology allows you to reproduce subtle shades of any color, imitate complex textures of different types of wood, metal or stone.
- The film fits tightly to the slab and adds strength to the material.
- The thin coating easily copes with the protection of relief patterns or milling, accurately repeating the shape.
Modern technology has almost completely eliminated problems in thermally unstable environments. Factory production and laboratory quality confirmation eliminates delamination in a home kitchen. The only drawback is fading when exposed to direct sunlight for 3-5 years. Laminated facades fit perfectly into stylish interiors within a moderate budget and stand out.
About plastic
MDF material for the kitchen is an excellent solution, especially when there is such a choice. However, it is worth considering kitchens made of plastic to make a final decision. First, pay attention to the positive points:
- Kitchens made of plastic have high wear resistance.
- The coatings are durable, they do not fade or lose color in the sun. Not afraid of moisture and steam.
- Any detergents are used for cleaning, because plastic kitchens are unpretentious.
- Suitable for different budgets. With an MDF base, this is a more expensive option. With chipboard - budget.
- Matte surfaces require special care.
- The plastic facade is easily soiled. Fingerprints remain on the surface.
- The inner sides of the walls are white.
- Sometimes the design in the center of the facade is distorted. This happens due to the fault of production technology.
Plastic facades for the kitchen are made in three main stylistic directions:
- Classic style. To implement this design idea, simple and uncomplicated shapes, neutral shades and a minimum of details are used.
- Empire style This style is characterized by various patterns and decorations. The color scheme is light and delicate. The shapes are thin and smooth.
- High tech. Popular style today. It uses many elements not only made of plastic, but also metal or glass. The choice of colors is organic - black, white or red. Sometimes metallic shades are used.
It is important to take this nuance into account when choosing which is better, MDF or plastic for the kitchen. However, plastic will limit you a little when creating an unusual design.
As you can see, a kitchen made of plastic-MDF will turn out to be almost identical in its characteristics, so making a choice is problematic. When choosing which kitchen is better, plastic or MDF, proceed primarily from your personal preferences or consult a professional designer. An experienced specialist, taking into account all the nuances, will help you decide.
Plastic covering MDF
The popular MDF kitchen with a plastic surface has a discreet elegance and offers ideal consumer characteristics:
- Resistant to water and sunlight.
- Hygienic and environmental safety.
- Use of curved complex contours of façade elements.
- Moderate prices.
- Glossy and matte decors.
- Stability in the presence of aggressive substances and detergents.
- Simple sanitary treatment to remove grease and stains.
In addition to its advantages, the plastic plate has minor disadvantages:
- The monochrome gloss shows fingerprints, splashes, and scratches form over time.
- Matte facades are difficult to clean without streaks.
- Low impact resistance.
If you weigh the pros and cons of plastic finishing and its durability, the demand for such furniture for the kitchen becomes clear.
Laminated chipboard in aluminum profile
We produce laminated chipboards in aluminum profiles in serial economy furniture. The price of the material is cheaper than MDF in plastic. Accordingly, this furniture was created for those who want to save a lot in the kitchen and get closer to the reliability of plastic facades.
Style: modern
Pros: Very low price, very resistant to temperature changes, protected ends of the facade with aluminum, resistant to moisture changes
Cons: small number of colors, many do not like the presence of an aluminum profile for beauty reasons, lack of radius facades.
How to choose a kitchen environment?
The fashion for minimalism in the interior does not require lush decorations and bright colors. Natural textures and colors look great on facades with any surface. But the features of the materials add comfort and help balance the space:
- Gloss visually enlarges the room, but the matte effect contributes to coziness. The combination of such decors is universal.
- The edges of doors, tabletops, and drawers are of great importance in the use of furniture. Maximum durability is ensured by postforming with a rounded end.
- Frame structures made of aluminum or MDF are practical, especially in the film version.
The question of choosing between film and plastic is only a matter of design possibilities and a small difference in cost. Therefore, it is better to pay attention to the parameters, stylistic correspondence, design features and modern fittings.
