Out of the plethora of engineered wood products, let’s talk about the two most prominent ones and how they differ from one another 一MDF vs Particle board.
Any piece of furniture’s most significant component is wood. However, wood cannot be used in its original form due to various reasons: deforestation, susceptibility to moisture and other environmental elements, termite attacks, etc. Hence, engineered wood products that are chemically treated are used as alternatives.
In this blog, we will look at two of the most popular solid wood substitutes 一 MDF and particle board; their properties, individual differences and the best fit for your construction requirement. But before we get into the difference between MDF board and particle board, let’s take a quick overview of the composition of the two products.
Overview
Both of these indoor furniture materials, offered by most commercial plywood manufacturers, are created by blending different elements. These boards are also commonly used for manufacturing modern furniture. But what are the differences between them, and where do they work best?
What is MDF Sheet?
Medium-density fibreboard, or MDF, is a type of engineered wood manufactured from wood fibres. The wood fibres are glued together and then placed in a heated machine, which compresses the fibres into a board. It’s a sturdy and robust material that works well in interior design projects.
What is a Particle Board?
Particle board is also a wood product made from waste wood material. It’s made up of finely chopped wood chips that have been mixed with glue or synthetic resins and then hot pressed to make veneers. These veneers are then glued and thermally pressed together to form particle boards (also known as chipboard). They are frequently used to make low-cost furniture.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what MDF and particle boards are and how they’re made, let’s compare them to see where they fit best and who should use them.
A Side-by-Side Comparison: MDF vs Particle Board
Below is a parallel comparison of the two materials, based on some of the many properties considered when purchasing engineered wood products.
| Categories | MDF | Particle Board |
| Appearance | Since MDF is made out of wood grains of the same size, it has a smooth finish. | Since particle boards are made out of wood flakes and chips, they do not have a smooth surface. |
| Strength and durability | Fairly stronger and more durable than particle boards. | They aren’t very strong and are relatively less durable. |
| Nail/screw holding capacity | MDF will respond much better when you introduce screws because of its stronger composition. | Since particle boards aren’t dense the screws or nails don’t hold very well. |
| Weight | MDF weighs much more when compared to particle boards. | Particle boards are lightweight. |
| Cost | MDF plywood price ranges from Rs. 40-80/sq. ft. depending on interior or exterior grade. *These prices are subject to change depending on the market value |
Particle board price ranges from Rs. 15-50/sq. ft. *These prices are subject to change depending on the market value |
There you have it, MDF vs particle board! Although they have some similarities in their manufacturing and composition, MDF and Particle boards are two different products. At the end of the day, your choice depends on your specific requirements. If you want an inexpensive lightweight wood product, particle boards are perfect for you. But if you’re looking for something strong and dense, get MDF boards.
If you are getting into a new construction product and are looking for either of these products, check out AK Group’s Apple Ply! Besides MDF and Particle boards we also offer a wide range of products that are suited for various interior decor and exterior decor projects! From BWR grade plywood to Flexi ply 一 we’ve got them all. Get a free quotation now!
