Kitchen cabinet doors – MDF??

[Anonymous]

I am in the middle of a big remodel, and need to sign off on my kitchen cabinet order. A few weeks back, we switched cabinet manufacturers to better fit the space (with the new manufacturer we were able to squeeze in an extra row of cabinets up to the high ceilings). The original manufacturer offered all plywood construction with birch cabinet fronts. I didn't realize it until I saw the final paperwork, but the new manufacturer has all plywood construction but the cabinet doors are MDF. I have read that MDF is actually very good for painted cabinets, which mine are, and also that they are less susceptible to bowing and warping over time. And these cabinets do have a 10-year warranty. (Although of course I want them to last much longer!)

I went into this project with my mind completely set on having sturdy, quality materials, and MDF was certainly not on my list. Advice? I have a bit of a decision fatigue from everything else with the house, and part of me wants to let go of my vision of wood here and go with the MDF because, when done well (and this manufacturer does seem to do it well), it does have good attributes. And when it's all painted up, perhaps it can be my dirty little secret.

I plan to stay in the house for a very long time, so resale is not front of mind, and I don't foresee wanting to paint them another color down the line. 

[Anonymous]

MDF is more dense than hardwood, and is smoother, too. It's a good choice when painting cabinet doors, often less expensive than solid wood. Polyester finishes are a good choice with MDF, as they are durable and look really good. You'd want solid wood if you were planning to stain the doors and wanted the wood grain to show, but MDF is a perfectly good choice when painting instead of staining. It is also relatively resistant to moisture and humidity, useful characteristics in a kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Sounds cheaply made

[Anonymous]

I have MdF cabinets and water dripped down from the sink (kids, what can you do?) made them bulge in places. Just trying to figure out how to repair that so we can put the house on the market.

[Anonymous]

Mdf is the way to go and is often more expensive than hardwood. My cabinet doors are wood frame and center panel is mdf. Mdf doesn’t expand and contract like wood. When getting painted cabinets you want .Mdf.

[Anonymous]

You only need plywood for the sink base. It’s an up sell.

[Anonymous]

MDF is pretty normal and I have it in my new kitchen, though I do have had a small bulge in an area that gets steamed regularly (by coffee maker). It’s not that noticeable. Most of the companies that do MDF offer wood as an option too. On the other hand, wood is inherently not that great in kitchens either.

[Anonymous]

Mdf is builder grade quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mdf is builder grade quality.

Nonsense. Like solid wood, it comes in different grades. It can be superior to solid wood in many applications, including when it will be painted, due to better moisture resistance. Solid wood is usually more expensive but price doesn't equate to superior function or aesthetic as a universal truth, except to people who know only the price of things, and not their worth. Solid wood is superior if it will be stained, but beyond that it all depends on where and how it will be used, and MDF may be superior for less $.

[Anonymous]

See if they will upgrade to Medex.

It’s MDF with a different glue that (supposedly) makes it waterproof.

For the door front panels you are going to have a hard time finding anyone that does not use MDF.