What Is MDF

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Here’s a thorough look at the good and bad to using this versatile sheet good.

Most woodworking projects are built using a combination of solid-wood boards and some type of sheet good, such as plywood, particleboard, or hardboard (a.k.a.: Masonite). Sheet goods come in large 4x8-ft. panels, so they’re ideal for making cabinet doors, wainscoting, tabletops, shelving units, drawer bottoms, cabinets, and other large, wide parts.

And while plywood—in its many variations—is by far the most popular sheet good, there’s a lesser-known panel that every DIY builder should know about: medium-density fiberboard, which is commonly referred to by its initials: MDF. But before taking a closer look at this versatile sheet good, here’s a brief explanation of exactly what is MDF.

MDF is composted of wood-mill byproducts, primarily sawdust and wood shavings, which are ground into a fine powder, dried to remove moisture, and then mixed with resins and wax before being pressed into flat, hard panels. Unlike plywood, MDF doesn’t have a wood-grain appearance; it has a consistent light-brown color with no discernible texture or pattern. MDF is also much harder, smoother and denser than plywood, and it doesn’t have any voids, knots, or splinters.

MDF is sold at most home centers and lumberyards in 4x8-ft. sheets in two thicknesses: ½ in. ($26) and 3/4 in. ($28); ¼-in.-thick MDF ($7) is available, too, but typically only in 2x4-ft. panels. And note that moisture-resistant MDF and fire-resistant MDF are also available, although they’re harder to find and must typically be special ordered.

Okay, now let’s take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks to MDF.

Joe is a former carpenter and cabinetmaker who writes extensively about remodeling, woodworking, and tool techniques. He has written eight books and is a contributing editor to Popular Mechanics. He also appears on the Today’s Homeowner TV show, and co-hosts the weekly Today’s Homeowner Radio Show. Joe writes from his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.

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