There is no better material for the production of interior doors than natural wood - many people think so. After all, products made from it have a presentable appearance, they are reliable and environmentally friendly - this is why connoisseurs of these criteria without hesitation purchase doors made of solid pine, beech, oak, ash, despite the high cost. Those who want to save money are wondering: is there a material for making door structures that has the same properties as natural wood, but at a lower cost?
MDF is such a material, and in some respects natural wood is even inferior to it. Is it really? Is MDF really that good for interior doors or are manufacturers trying to embellish its properties in order to maintain sales of wood waste? The pros and cons of MDF used for the production of door structures, as well as its features compared to other materials, will be discussed later in this article.
Doors finished with natural mahogany veneer with a frame made of MDF and pine timber
Structure of the material and its properties
Wood fiber has long been used in the production of boards. But traditional chipboards and fiberboards lack strength and resistance to environmental influences. There is a risk of moisture penetration into wood fibers and their premature destruction. In conditions of high humidity and temperature changes, these materials may lose their performance.
MDF and chipboard
The MDF board has a similar structure; it also consists of wood particles and components that hold them together and ensure solidity. But this material has certain differences. In its production, small wood elements are used; the adhesion of the fractions is ensured by urea resin. It contains melamine, which does not allow harmful ingredients to be released during heat treatment.
This structure gives MDF door panels:
- high density, strength;
- resistance to moisture and temperature changes;
- long service life;
- suitability for processing.
MDF boards have a high density
Small fractions and high-quality adhesive composition prevent the penetration of moisture into the structure and premature destruction. The plates can be embossed and bend perfectly without losing their properties. The material has high mechanical strength. The MDF panel on the front door provides reliable protection for the home.
Subtleties and nuances of the manufacturing process of interior door systems
Interior door systems are a mandatory piece of furniture, designed not only to delimit space, but also to isolate the room from noise, odors, etc. Naturally, high-quality designs cost a lot and this is not surprising, because the production of interior doors of this level is a complex technological process.
Of course, the production cycle of glass, wood, aluminum doors and PVC products differs fundamentally. There are differences in the manufacturing process of sliding and swing systems, standard and non-standard designs. All these points are taken into account by factories producing interior door systems.
Advantages of MDF doors
The modern range of entrance and interior doors includes designs made from different materials. Admirers of elite, high-quality products purchase models made from solid wood. Connoisseurs of maximum strength and reliability prefer metal products. If you need to save costs, you can buy structures made of chipboard and plastic. Finishing doors with MDF panels allows you to satisfy all these requirements at the same time.
Structures made from this material are covered with natural veneer, materials that accurately replicate wood, which provides ideal aesthetics. It is impossible to determine with the naked eye that these are MDF doors and not models made of natural wood. Moreover, unlike solid wood doors, these products:
- do not require the creation of an optimal regime;
- do not require regular varnishing;
- have less weight;
- are much cheaper.
MDF doors do not require regular varnishing
The strength of metal doors is not in doubt. But the aesthetic indicators of such structures are not too high. MDF panels for metal doors give them a solid, attractive appearance. The strength and durability of the material provides additional protection for the home from unauthorized access.
These models are more expensive than their chipboard counterparts. However, the costs are fully compensated by the long service life and reliability. Compared to products made from oak, beech, and other wood, interior models and entrance doors made from MDF are much cheaper. This allows you to give the interior and facade a solid look without extra costs.
MDF doors accurately replicate wood
An important advantage of these structures is their environmental safety. Products from leading brands are manufactured in strict compliance with technology and undergo standardization. Interior doors made of MDF can be installed without restrictions in residential buildings and children's institutions.
These products have one more advantage. The material has high heat and sound insulation properties. Even thin MDF panels for the front door guarantee a reduction in heat loss and comfortable silence in the house.
Standard dimensions of canvases
The Soviet standardization system encouraged production to use exclusively standard sizes when producing products. Despite the fact that these times are a thing of the past, and the GOST system is purely advisory in nature, developers of interior doors today still adhere to standardized dimensions when manufacturing:
- The width of a single-field canvas in a living room is 800 mm, a one-and-a-half panel is 1200–1500 mm, and a double-field panel is 1600–1900 mm.
- When installing the product from the hallway to the kitchen, the standard sash size is 700 mm.
- In the bathroom, given the small dimensions of the room, the door width is already 600 mm.
- When assigning the height of the product, each manufacturer adheres to the standard parameter, assembling the canvas with a long side size of 2000 mm. However, when using the product in a toilet or bathroom, taking into account the threshold that prevents water from spilling in the event of an accident, this height is reduced by 50 mm.
Rice. 10. Design for filling the opening to the bathroom with a threshold
When measuring a doorway before ordering and purchasing its filling, it is necessary to take into account the ratio of the door size to the elements of the supporting frame, as well as the installation gaps around the entire perimeter of the product.
Door designs
MDF boards are used in the production of various types of doors. The design depends on the purpose; it can be solid or paneled. There are three main elements in any door:
- frame,
- sheathing,
- internal filling.
This material can be used as cladding, decor, or internal filler.
In an interior door made of MDF, this material serves as a cladding. For such purposes, thin sheets are used. Their strength is quite sufficient to ensure reliability and high-quality insulation of the room. The frame of such models is created from pine bars. Door leaves can be monolithic or paneled with glass inserts.
Door trim with MDF board
MDF panels are often installed on metal entrance doors. The material simultaneously performs a decorative and practical function. High aesthetic indicators turn the panel into a worthy decoration. Covering with laminated film and veneer provides an exact imitation of a respectable solid wood door.
MDF panels on a metal entrance door
In addition, MDF panels for metal doors are a guarantee of comfort. They muffle sound, provide thermal protection, and prevent the appearance of icing in winter, which creates inconvenience and the risk of damage to the metal by rust.
Entrance doors made of MDF with internal filling made of the same material have high strength and durability. These models are heavy and reasonably priced. But they guarantee reliable, durable protection, not only from burglars, but also from cold and noise.
Entrance door with internal filling made of MDF
Paneled
The frame of paneled interior doors is located along the perimeter of the door leaf. It is possible to use horizontal or vertical solid wood inserts in the middle of the structure. These elements significantly increase the strength of the product. MDF boards are installed on top of the frame to make the canvas even. Internal voids are closed using panels made of glass or MDF.
This type of canvas has a very original appearance and is a completely collapsible structure.
Types of MDF door claddings
It is not the slab itself that provides decent aesthetic performance for doors. They depend on coatings that are fixed directly to the panel. The production uses MDF panels for doors, lined with:
- natural and artificial veneer;
- laminate;
- polyvinyl chloride film.
Veneer is a thin layer removed from natural wood. The shade and texture pattern are completely preserved. It is impossible to understand that these are MDF doors and not a solid product. Structures with such a coating are expensive. But if you want to create a presentable interior, they will be the optimal solution.
Natural wood veneer
A cheaper option is a model with artificial veneer. In terms of aesthetic indicators, it is identical to natural covering, since the upper part of the cladding is also a cut of natural wood. It is distinguished by its smaller thickness, the presence of a resin base and adhesive compositions. MDF panels for metal doors, lined with veneer, must be coated with a protective varnish that prevents destruction of the wood layer.
Artificial veneer
Door finishing with MDF panels lined with laminate is widely used. This material imitates wood with high quality, but is cheaper than veneer. Such models can be found in the middle, budget price category. The facing material includes two layers. Aesthetic indicators are provided by a paper coating on which a wood grain pattern is digitally printed. It is reliably protected from damage by a polymer film. Melamine has the greatest strength and durability. Doors with laminate covered with this material are more expensive.
Laminated MDF panels
The most economical option is cladding with polyvinyl chloride film. This material, despite its low price, has many significant advantages. PVC film: provides MDF panels with reliable protection from climatic and mechanical influences; guarantees ease of maintenance; Available in a wide range of colors, allowing you to make an excellent choice.
PVC film provides MDF panels
What to look for when purchasing
In order to purchase a doorway filling kit and not regret it after installation, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- A sash assembled on a factory slipway must have the correct dimensions, which can be easily checked with a tape measure - the length and width along the entire perimeter of the product must be the same, which indicates that all 4 corners are orthogonal.
- Considering that the raw materials for making a door must be prepared, assembled under normal temperature and humidity conditions, and stored in an indoor environment, the door must be level over the entire area of the door leaf. If this condition is not met, it is better to refuse the purchase, since after installation problems will inevitably arise with closing and opening.
- If the product is sold complete with a box and accessories, you need to check the operation of each part. If there is creaking, distortion or poor closure, we can safely speak of poor quality assembly.
Rice. 11. Factory defect
- One of the main reasons for defects in the sale of door structures is mechanical damage, which is especially true if we are talking not about solid wood, but about PVC coating. So, if damage to the decorative layer is detected on the surface of the door leaf, it is better to immediately choose another door.
When purchasing, you should also pay attention to the brand and manufacturer whose products are offered for sale. The fact is that companies with many years of experience in the market have long automated their production lines and eliminated numerous errors in production, assembling only high-quality products.
MDF doors for painting
Sometimes, even in a wide range of interior doors, it is difficult to find an option that exactly matches the specifics of the interior. This does not mean that you need to purchase the model that is most suitable for decoration. In this case, you can buy MDF interior doors for painting. Enamels fit perfectly on this material. The color range of dyes is extensive; it is possible to give the door the desired tone that exactly matches the overall design.
Paintable MDF interior doors are in high demand. These designs have several advantages:
- they can be painted in any color, decorated with artistic painting;
- the enamel coating has excellent aesthetic characteristics and does not require complex maintenance;
- painting guarantees the panels reliable protection and durability;
- purchasing and decorating does not require large expenditures, saving costs.
MDF doors can be painted in any color
The cost of such models is an order of magnitude lower than structures decorated with veneer or laminate. The price of paint is also quite affordable for every consumer. The painting process does not require qualifications; any owner can handle it. Fans of original designs can choose MDF interior doors for painting. They provide the opportunity to implement any creative ideas in decoration. The door will become the highlight of the interior, a guarantee of its uniqueness.
Paintable MDF doors will embody any creative ideas
Panels with anti-vandal plastic
This type of MDF panels is produced by joining with laminated plastic. This is a composite multilayer material made by pressing under high pressure. The material is durable and practical, and is recommended for use on outdoor doors. The advantages of these panels are:
- High strength and resistance to mechanical damage, moisture, abrasives and chemicals. For cleaning, acetone or a regular solvent can be used.
- Resistance to open flame, indifference to temperature changes and exposure to sunlight. The temperature range is from -90 to +300 degrees. They practically do not fade and do not change their proportions. Used for the production of fireproof structures.
- Relatively low cost.
- Possibility of combination with other types of finishing materials.
- Wide choice of colors.
Anti-vandal plastic is able to withstand heavy mechanical loads without destruction. It is used to cover metal doors in institutions with a large flow of people - schools, shops, stadiums, police stations. It is used in chemical laboratories and is well suited for doors to apartments where pets are kept - it scratches little.
MDF entrance doors
The main material for entrance doors now is metal. In our turbulent times, every owner considers it necessary to reliably protect his home. The main disadvantage of metal structures is a certain impersonality and low aesthetic values.
Using MDF panels for metal doors eliminates this problem. Coverings with veneer and laminated wood-like film give a solid, respectable appearance. It is difficult to understand that these are MDF doors, and not structures made of beech, oak, or cherry. These models can decorate a presentable cottage and become a worthy “business card” of a modern apartment.
An MDF front door will become a worthy “business card”
MDF panels for the front door are not only an attractive decor, but also an element that increases comfort, safety, and extends service life. These coatings:
- protect the home from external noise;
- prevent the penetration of cold;
- will increase the degree of resistance to burglary;
- protect the metal from moisture and corrosion.
MDF panels will protect the apartment from external noise
The use of MDF panels for the front door of a private house is especially relevant. During frosts, frost and ice form on metal surfaces. This significantly complicates operation and increases the risk of rust on the metal and its premature destruction. An MDF panel on the front door will prevent such phenomena, make the use of the structure comfortable, and increase its service life.
Laminated panels
The manufacturing process of such panels is described above. The pattern of PVC film most often imitates the surface of a tree of one species or another, often an expensive one.
Sometimes it is “real” marble, and sometimes it is malachite or mother-of-pearl. This is an economical option, but very attractive. It's inexpensive, but looks great. The products have the following advantages:
- Large selection of color and design solutions. Perhaps the biggest. The number of patterns can only be limited by the customer’s imagination.
- Increased sound insulation. The film transmits sound poorly.
- High wear resistance. Good quality PVC film is abrasion and puncture resistant.
- Easy to care for. Washing using household chemicals is allowed.
One of the disadvantages is the fact that laminated panels have low resistance to prolonged exposure to moisture and temperature changes. For this reason, they are recommended to be installed inside building entrances.
Interior models from MDF
Interior doors made of MDF now make up the bulk of the range in this category. Many consumers appreciated the obvious advantages of these designs:
- light weight that does not require a reinforced base;
- high resistance to external influences and durability;
- easy care;
- impeccable aesthetic indicators;
- affordable price.
An important role in the formation of high demand is played by an extensive assortment, which provides excellent opportunities for choosing a model. You can purchase a door with solid skin, with an original insert, paneled, embossed, etc. Unlike their wooden counterparts, these structures are lightweight and can even be mounted in frame walls made of plasterboard. At the same time, they have maximum attractiveness.
Interior doors made of MDF are lightweight
Finishing the doors with MDF panels guarantees long-term operation. High or low humidity, high or low temperatures do not have a negative effect on the structure. It is easy to care for such models. Contamination from polyvinyl chloride, painted surfaces can be removed using detergents.
Manufacturers produce various types of designs, allowing consumers to make a choice, taking into account the specifics of the interior and personal preferences. You can purchase swing, sliding, folding models. The material is used not only in creating traditional structures with a frame made of wooden blocks. MDF panels are installed on metal doors with an aluminum base. These are lightweight, durable sliding structures that fit perfectly into a modern interior.
Sliding doors fit perfectly into a modern interior
conclusions
The design of the interior door, as well as the type of materials used in its manufacture, speak about the quality and durability of the product. Before choosing a door, you need to prepare the opening and decide on the general style of the room. The most correct solution would be to create a design project indicating each decorative element so that the product installed in the wall gives the expected result.
When installing the structure, it is better to turn to professionals, since self-installation requires the home craftsman to have certain professional skills and a set of tools.
Basic criteria for choosing a door
Structures with MDF coatings can be found in different price categories. This allows most consumers to choose the best option. When purchasing a model, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
- panel thickness;
- type of filling;
- type of cladding;
- popularity of the manufacturer.
For interior products, strength is not the most important indicator. But the MDF panel on the front door must have a substantial thickness. The resistance of the structure to burglary and reliability depend on this parameter.
The quality of sound insulation depends on the type of filler. If the door must prevent the penetration of sounds from the outside, preference should be given to a product with cellular filling, a model consisting entirely of MDF.
The quality of sound insulation depends on the type of filler
The cladding directly affects the cost of the door. Consumers who want to install a presentable structure should choose products covered with veneer. If you need to save costs, you can buy a model that can be painted or coated with PVC.
MDF door covered with veneer
When choosing a design, preference should be given to products from well-known manufacturers. Low-quality MDF panels for doors, manufactured in violation of technology, may contain harmful components and release them into the atmosphere.
Specifics of product manufacturing
It is no secret that the production of plastic doors, wooden or glass products (no matter sliding or hinged) begins with the preparation of raw materials. Therefore, each plant specializing in the production of wooden door systems has developed its own internal standards that separate all the materials used by quality.
The list of equipment that the manufacturer uses when producing swing and sliding systems, standard and non-standard solutions includes the following:
- sawmill;
- drying chamber;
- tenon cutting machine;
- press;
- format cutting machine;
- milling machine, etc.
This list can be supplemented with additional equipment depending on the type of coating or the presence of inserts and decorative ornaments. So, for example, to produce veneered doors you will need one equipment, and to make glass inserts - another.
At the same time, it is difficult to say which production stage is the most important. They are all equal! So, for example, if the wood used for the manufacture of standard or non-standard structures is not completely dried, the doors will become askew, take on a terrible appearance and cease to function properly.
Naturally, this state of affairs will cause dissatisfaction among buyers. Or, for example, if you make a mistake while cutting out glass inserts (make the insert a couple of millimeters smaller in size), the glass will constantly rattle: this is, in fact, a manufacturing defect. As a result, a dissatisfied customer and loss of confidence in the manufacturer’s products.
Thus, any even the most insignificant mistake in the production of sliding and swing interior systems can be costly to the manufacturer. Therefore, factories that value their image control every technological process.
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