Have you been trying to figure out which engineered wood would be best for your next construction project? Fret not! By the end of this blog, you’ll know What’s better MDF or plywood, for your next project!
You’d think that with all the hype around wanting authentic, natural products, natural wood would also be deeply desired. However, this is not the case. Natural solid wood has run its course: we’re now in the age of engineered wood like plywoods and blockboards.
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In recent years, the popularity of engineered wood has skyrocketed and it seems like there are newer products on the market each year. If you need help navigating the various products, especially finding out What’s better MDF or plywood for your project, keep reading!
Overview: MDF and Plywood
Both these products are manufactured of wood but are heavily engineered, giving them peculiar properties. MDF (medium-density fibreboards) is made up of hardwood and softwood fibres that are bonded together with different resins, heated and pressed to produce panels. Plywood goes through a similar process the only difference being that it starts as very thin layers of wood obtained by peeling logs instead of wood fibres. Both these materials are offered in sheet form by plywood manufacturers across the country in various thicknesses and grades.
In the next section, we will be looking at a parallel comparison of the two boards to help you pick the right come based on your requirements and the properties displayed by the boards.
MDF vs Plywood: Price, Uses, Aesthetics and More!
Despite their similar appearances, these two wood products are not interchangeable. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
| Properties | MDF | Plywood |
| General | MDF is usually created from leftover wooden fibres that are combined with wax and resins, and heat pressed into dense, long-lasting sheets. A sheet of MDF will be hefty, smooth, and even, with a flat, paintable or sealable surface. | Plywood is a type of engineered wooden sheet made up of fine layers or fragile strands of wood veneers that are glued together at 90-degree angles to one another. Plywood can also be painted or stained |
| Appearance | MDF doesn’t have a grain pattern, isn’t as smooth as plywood, and appears as it is manufactured i.e., pressed wood fibres. | Since plywood is produced from wood strips, it has a greater solid-wood appearance than MDF and displays a grain pattern. |
| Strength | MDF is a softer material than plywood, and it sags or splits when put under pressure. | Plywood offers greater flexibility than MDF, allowing you to bend it into curved structures; it also resists expansion, compression, or warping, even when exposed to high temperatures. |
| Uses | Since it can’t tolerate a lot of moisture, it’s best used within a building and away from places where the fibres could absorb moisture over time. They’re frequently used to build cabinets, furniture, signboards, and decorations, among other things. | Plywood is a versatile material that can be used for partitions, floors, ceilings, and sheathing. It’s also used for decoration outdoors, such as cladding and doors, as well as indoors, like cupboards, shelves, and furniture. |
| Price | MDF board price is a lot cheaper when compared to plywood. | Plywood is expensive when compared to MDF. |
Conclusion
Hence, the question – What’s better MDF or plywood? – is left for you to answer based on your requirements and the features both these products offer.
MDF and plywood are both high-quality materials that can be used for a variety of projects. The goal is to figure out where and how each of them shines, and then put them to work in that capacity. If you’re still having trouble figuring out what’s the best option, you can always reach out to the representatives at AK group’s Apple Ply to help you make an informed decision.
AK Group’s Apple Ply is one of the best plywood and MDF manufacturers in India, offering the highest quality wood products to all their customers. Besides MDF and Plywood, Apply Ply also offers a variety of engineered wood products! Browse our product catalogue today!
