How to Paint MDF panels for Doors and Cabinets?

Paint Kitchen Cabinet Doors

MDF panels or Medium Density Fiberboards are suitable materials for producing home furniture, custom kitchen cabinets, and doors. These inexpensive wood products are engineered composite materials made from sawdust and resin, fused in considerably high pressure and heat. MDF panels come in various sizes and finishes. However, unlike other industrial wood substances, these fiberboards are free of knots, rings, and natural wood grain. Thus, cutting MDF doors with a CNC router is very easy, and as a result, they are often utilized for such applications as custom cutting and kitchen cabinets. Moreover, the hard and smooth surface of MDF doors takes paint and veneer with the highest quality.

MDF Doors and Panels Painting Process

Painting MDF doors or panels for kitchen cabinets requires a full understanding of the material. The smoothness of MDF panels comes from the factory sandings, and the face is already ready for further painting. However, the edges are often more porous and will need prep for a uniform, smooth finish. Additionally, the material’s porosity makes the MDF doors unsuited to water-based products for coating purposes. Follow the guidelines below, and you will achieve the best results.

Step No.1 of Paintig MDF Doors

Step one of painting MDF doors and cabinets starts with removing any additional hardware and setting them aside until thoroughly drying the paint. It is essential to protect the workpiece and area with extra clothes for making the cleanup easier. Doors and cabinets made from MDF panels will produce a considerable amount of dust when sanded, and the particles can irritate the lungs and eyes. Thus, using protective goggles and a dust mask is crucial.

Step No.2 is Cutting and Sealing the MDF Panels Edges

Whether the MDF doors or cabinets have a factory edge or feature custom cabinet cutting, the edges must involve sealing for accepting the paint and being matched with the smoother surface of the product. The painter should seal the areas by running a coat of drywall compound on the material with fingers. After the drying is completed, the product requires smooth sanding with sandpaper, and the scratches on the surface of the MDF panels should be filled with a special compound. Then the entire piece should be sanded with sandpaper. After sanding is completed, the carpenter should wipe the product down with a tack cloth for removing the fine dust and any remaining dirt.

Step No.3 is Mainly About Painting the MDF Doors

The third step of painting interior MDF doors or kitchen cabinets involves priming the MDF panel with solvent-based primers, which are available in various models in the market and online shops. It is crucial to avoid water-based primers as they cause swelling in the wood fibers, resulting in a surface that seems to have a raised grain even if there is a lot of effort put into the sanding process. It is practical to utilize a brush, roller, and spray gun to apply the suitable primer for the project.

Step No.4 is Applying the Primer

The fourth step of painting MDF doors and panels is the most critical stage and needs to be done with high precision. This step involves applying the paint and the preferred primer with applicators that can be brushes, roller, or spray gun, whichever is the best for the demanding project. After the first layer or coat of paint feels dry to the touch, apply a second layer of primer or paint if the work requires it. In case of spotting any patchiness, scratches, or other inaccurate finishes, the painter should cover the entire MDF door with another layer of paint. This will help the painter create a high-quality surface for the project, and it will also increase the durability of the MDF doors.

Step No.5 is Allowing the Paint to Dry

Step number five starts with allowing the paint to dry thoroughly on the MDF door surface. Then, this step involves applying the preferred sealer, including lacquer, polyurethane, wax, etc. If there is an expectation of the MDF panel project to have daily use in order to preserve the paint finish, the paint sealing must be done precisely. For instance, painted kitchen cabinet doors can benefit from an extra protective layer that protects the product from tear and wear. On the other hand, MDF panel crown molding will definitely be out of reach, and therefore it will not require a sealer.

Step No.6 is Assembling the Hardware

The last step of painting the MDF panel for doors and kitchen cabinets is to allow the paint to dry on the product’s surface. When the MDF door is dried thoroughly, the painter should replace the removed hardware and step back to compliment the work. After the paint finish is dried, the MDF paneled door will look similar to other painted wood. It is a fact that DIY people can create custom wainscoting, trim, or furniture partly with MDF panels and other practical wood materials. Once the product is painted, the final piece will blend seamlessly.

How We Make Drawer Box for Your Kitchen Cabinets (part 2)

making kitchen cabinets drawer box

The kitchen is the heart of any home, where occupants and guests gather around to enjoy their time and meal. Thus, interior designers focus on creating aesthetics and a warm feeling for the area with different elements. Kitchen cabinets are the essential factor when renewing and decorating the space equivalent to the house’s overall design. However, many people consider how manufacturers and carpenters make custom kitchen cabinets. One of the components of kitchen cabinets is their drawer box which should be functional while satisfying the aesthetic needs.

Manufacturers utilize various methods for making the drawer box for kitchen cabinets. In the first part of the article, we discussed the standard tools for making kitchen cabinets, materials used for the purpose, and measuring the width and height of the drawer box. This article provides more information about the production process.

Depth of Kitchen Cabinets Drawer Box

Determining the depth of the kitchen cabinets drawer box is more complicated than defining other dimensions. For getting the most practical use of the products, the primary driver for the depth is the size of the glides to use. Experts choose the depth for providing the occupants with the full advantage of the extension feature. However, the size of the slides should be equivalent to the cabinet construction and the size.

Carpenters measure the inside depth of the kitchen cabinets where the drawer box should be installed. They do the measurements by sizing the back of the cabinets to the front section. If the products have overlay sections, where the box front sits in the front of the cabinet’s body, it is essential to measure the depth of the products and look for slides that are slightly shorter than the measurements. The dimensions of the slides determine the length of the outside depth. If the kitchen cabinet design requires inset drawers, where the box’s fronts should be installed flush with the front of the cabinet, then carpenters account for the thickness of the drawer front.

Drawer Box Sides, Front, and Back Length

After determining the outside dimensions of the kitchen cabinets drawer box, it is time to figure out the length of each part that makes up the external perimeter of the product.

  • Drawer Box Sides: The drawer box sides’ length is simply the product’s overall external dimensions.
  • Box Front and Back: The front and back of the drawer box fit between the sides, so they need to be shorter than the outside width. For determining the front and back length, carpenters take the overall exterior width of the box and subtract two times the thickness of the side sections. This measurement will vary depending on the material used for the kitchen cabinets, whether it is plywood or MDF panels (medium density fiberboard). It is essential to verify the thickness of the MDF panels with special tools.

Layout and Cutting Sides, Fronts, and Backs

Manufacturers always mock up the wood cutting process and plan before starting the procedure to reduce waste as much as possible. Using one more minor MDF panel for creating raised panels or flat panel doors for kitchen cabinets and drawer boxes can reduce the cost. Most carpenters include the cut width in the plans and do not wind up short pieces.

Generally, kitchen cabinets drawer boxes look better when the length of the piece follows the wood’s grain which is why carpenter’s layout the side sections along the longer end of the MDF panel. It is better to make the rip cuts first and then trim them to length using cutting tools such as a miter saw or table saw. It is essential to make sure there are a few centimeters at the end of each ripped section if there is a need to extend the length of any components.

The bottom section of the kitchen cabinets drawer box fits into the groove or dado cut into the bottom of the side, back, and front pieces. It is essential to note that it does not get glued into the place but rather floats in the dado to allow the material’s expansion. The table saw is the most practical tool for doing the cutting accurately. Cutting MDF panels is also possible using a circular saw, and the cut should be guided with a router. For people who prefer doing the DIY job, using a circular saw and guide will be efficient.

Assembling Kitchen Cabinets Drawer Box

After doing all measurements and cutting, manufacturers start the assembling phase of the kitchen cabinets drawer box. This stage involves drilling four pocket holes on the back and front pieces using a suitable jig. The holes must be drilled on the opposite side of the dado cut. Drilling the holes over the dado will damage the box, and spots are required for larger drawers applying additional pockets. Once the holes are ready, the box must be screwed together. Then the bottom section is installed on the box with screws and glue. The assembly is finished by applying different coats for further protection.

How to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?

Reface Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets are the essential elements of every home’s kitchen and interior that affect the area’s overall appearance. Thus, interior designers and homeowners give special attention to their kitchen cabinets as they know it will change the feel and vibe of their applications. These particular area elements can get damaged, warp and scratch over time if they are not made from durable wood materials such as MDF panels. This is when homeowners should replace or reface kitchen cabinets.

Most people think they should replace their old or damaged kitchen cabinets with new ones, costing them a considerable amount of money. However, there is a sufficient explication for eliminating unwanted kitchen cabinets, refacing them with particular techniques. The method this article introduces is a DIY technique to reface kitchen cabinets with only simple tools, which are as followed:

  • Screwdriver (4-in-1 will be more helpful during the refacing process)
  • Brand nail gun for more stable fixture creation
  • Caulk gun
  • Circular saw (other says are also practical but may be challenging to reface kitchen cabinets with them)
  • Cordless drill
  • File
  • Different drill bits
  • Slitter (laminate can be functional)
  • Miter saw
  • Paper cutter
  • Other carpentry tools equivalent to different wood materials

Overview

Refacing kitchen cabinets is an easy, quick and straightforward way of changing the look of the interior without causing mess and expense of an entire remodeling project. The process primarily covers the cabinet face frame with different surfaces depending on the kitchen’s overall design. The new surface can feature raised panels kitchen cabinet doors as most modern designs utilize this door type. After choosing the best cover, replacing the old doors and drawer front with new products is essential. To reface kitchen cabinets, homeowners will spend about one-third of what new cabinet systems would cost. Giving attention to details and having some experience with tools is required to reface kitchen cabinets by yourself. However, it does not require master-level experience in carpentry. The only skill which is essential for having the best results is to measure and cut accurately.

Steps To Reface Kitchen Cabinets

The process of refacing kitchen cabinets involves doors and drawer removal and covering the front edges of the products with peel-and-stick wooden materials. Then it requires hanging the new doors with cup hinges which are easy to adjust and install. Attaching new kitchen cabinet surfaces to the existing drawers and finishing the process with molds, replacement, and new hardware installation is the last step. However, there are other things to do to reface kitchen cabinets with the best quality.

  1. Most original cabinets in the kitchen are basic and entry-level. It is essential to consider the uniqueness and the future design of the kitchen before starting the refacing process.
  2. Choose the color and the material, whether it should be MDF panel or plywood precisely. After choosing the materials for the cabinet refacing, be careful with finishes as they should match the kitchen’s appearance.
  3. The third step is the most critical stage in which measurement is done. Measure the dimensions of the kitchen cabinet precisely and write them down to remember.
  4. Choose a suitable cup hinge if an inset or lip door is converted into overlay doors for the refacing application.
  5. For sizing the door, defining the extending part past the face frame is required. This step is to overlay distance measurement. There are various practical hinges available to choose from for this step. However, the extra door width can cause issues. Thus, it is crucial to carefully measure inside corners and between the doors to ensure that there is enough space.
  6. Measuring inside corners with or without rotating shelves is often challenging. Use a scissors-hinged door, a pair of hinged doors that can be practical to reface kitchen cabinets. However, the easiest way to know the dimension of the inside corner is to ask the cabinet door supplier for help figuring the sizes and double-check the measurements or calculations before refacing the kitchen cabinets.
  7. Sand the corners of the cabinets for refacing preparation. Since this step can create dust, it is better to empty the cabinets and remove the doors by unscrewing the hinges that fix the opening to the face frame.
  8. After preparing and cleaning cabinets, it is time to transform the kitchen cabinets by installing the end MDF panels. If the face frame overhangs the existing panel, it is essential to add a filler for creating a flush surface.
  9. Measure and cut the end panel to size to fit the front edge with the surface of the face frame and then install the MDF panel with construction adhesive or few brads.
  10. Cut corners in the requiring sizes and bond them by pressing them with tools. The pressure direction must be from top to bottom at the edges, and it should be firm enough to make it stable.
  11. Hang the door by lining up the center of the hinge and drill a hole. Attach the bottom and top hinges by driving a screw through them into the stile.
  12. Align the drawer box with the previous measurements and drive screws through them into the front face. Check if the screws didn’t go through the face of the new refaced kitchen cabinet.
  13. Finish the procedure by installing cove molding along the MDF panel wall in the kitchen cabinets and cover the toe-kick with a thin strip of wood finished to match the rest of the cabinets.

What is the Trend for Kitchen Cabinets in 2021? (Part 1)

Trend for Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are essential elements of every home’s interior when creating a more appealing kitchen for occupants and guests. Most homeowners remodel their interior with beautiful and new tiles and vinyl floorings and then find out their kitchen cabinets look outdated in comparison. Thus, it is crucial not to leave out the kitchen cabinets and doors when considering having a renovation. Whether the plan is to paint or replace them, knowing the trend for kitchen cabinets in 2021 will help the homeowner create better aesthetics for the home. This article provides information about the tendency for kitchen cabinets in the current year. It will let you know which designs will rise and stick around for a more extended period.

The top trend for kitchen cabinets in 2021 is drama. Almost everyone tends to make their kitchen a statement as they see this area as the interior hub. Incorporating larger kitchen islands layouts is growing day by day, which is well known for its better storage and seating area. Most of the customers opt-out of traditional kitchen cabinets and prefer using open shelving to showcase the dinnerware. Additionally, interior designers mix and match different materials such as MDF and other woods for the same kitchen. In traditional designs, there was a limit in creating new styles due to the limited contrasting colors. However, in 2021, people are venturing into assorted door designs, including shaker and raised panel doors and wood tones or paint finishes.

Design Trend for Kitchen Cabinets

There are many trendy kitchen cabinets, and customers should not worry about the previous style limits. It used to be about hiding supplies and tools in the cupboards, but this is no longer the case. Light and bright hues are taking over the interior decoration trends as white color. More designers prefer to utilize sleeker and modern kitchen cabinets such as industrial looks and shelving. However, in 2021 it is common to find varied modern and traditional kitchen cabinets designs, creating aesthetics and a warm feel for the interior.

Slab Door Kitchen Cabinets

One of the most modern and sleek products is the Slab kitchen cabinet doors. Some of these trendiest designs do not feature handles or knobs, have frameless and flat fronts, and come with more glossy finishes. However, carpenters develop slab doors with wood finishes for customers who prefer more traditional looks for their interior. This design is considered minimal, and using them is a suitable way to modernize a kitchen or small portions of a house. Along with using slab doors for creating a modern appearance, it is recommended to complete the look with a backsplash or wood-look floor.

Transitional Cabinets

Transitional kitchen cabinet designs can be a subjective and confusing term, and the style mixes new and old looks that make these products very extraordinary. Manufacturers and carpenters modernize and update traditional kitchen cabinets by pairing them with modern components to produce a transitional design. However, this particular design for trendy kitchen cabinets features more conventional styles and consists of contemporary hardware. Additionally, they can accommodate shaker cabinets as well as open frame display products. Utilizing transitional products is the perfect way to have a more classic look in the kitchen without looking outdated. Many experts say these designs will be more prevalent in remodeling projects for 2021 than in newly built homes. The good thing about this type is that they can be made from MDF panels and other wood materials or even metal substances.

Reclaimed Trend for Kitchen Cabinets

Reclaimed Kitchen cabinets are the trend for homeowners who want to remodel their kitchens on a budget. For home remodeling plans, it is common to see the renovators redo the current products instead of springing for custom kitchen cabinets to save money, which is the primary reason for designing these particular systems. The concept is straightforward: revamping used products to make a more current look instead of purchasing a brand-new system. This will help homeowners to spend their money on other renovation parts such as floorings. Additionally, this inclination is considered eco-friendly as people are recycling cabinets with this method. As long as the trend for kitchen cabinets in 2021 needs a reclaimed system due to the current conditions, it will stay in the market for a longer time.

Open Frame Cabinets

Open frame cabinet doors are the middle-ground between traditional cabinets and open shelving. Most of these products feature glass panels to display items inside the cabinet. This design is suitable for kitchens with brighter and lighter colors as the illusion of open spaces can enhance the openness of more prominent and more luminous interiors. Depending on the overall design of the area, open frame kitchen cabinets can look modern or traditional.

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets (Part II)

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets is a popular carpentry process for creating practical products for the interior. These products have modern, functional, and European style designs that can improve the house’s aesthetics and interior decoration. However, their design’s main functionality is for the kitchen. Manufacturers and carpenters produce these modern works with various wood materials, including MDF panels and Plywood.

Constructing frameless kitchen cabinets requires years of practice and experience. However, many people want to create their kitchen cabinets with MDF of other wood materials without hiring professionals. Thus, we decided to provide the required information for constructing frameless kitchen cabinets for such people. In part 1 of producing frameless kitchen cabinets, we discussed the basics of the carcass of the cabinets and the base options that the product can have. Thus, this part will provide more information about the process, including the frameless kitchen cabinets back options, tools for making them, and precise steps to complete the production of these functional materials.

Kitchen Cabinets Back Options

When constructing frameless kitchen cabinets, the cabinetmaker has some practical options for creating the back section of the product. Each method and option have exceptional stability and functionality.

  • Full Back: Carpenter can choose to make a full back with the same MDF panels or Plywood used for the kitchen cabinet. This configuration will provide an enclosed product with excellent strength, which is essential when installing heavy countertops or supporting heavy appliances. However, this method can be costly, but the carpenter can lower the expenditure by precisely planning the cutting method with a CNC router.
  • Nailed Back: Some people don’t mind if their cabinets have a back part or not. The nailed back option is the best for saving more MDF panels and other materials. Instead of having a full back, this method features creating two nailing strips out of the MDF panels for the top and bottom of the back, so there is a point to affix the kitchen cabinet to the wall and provide strength and rigidity to the product.
  • Economic Nailed Back: In some cases, people prefer to have an enclosed back system, but they also want to save money. Thus, it is better to use nailery as the previous method and utilize a piece of MDF panel on the back of the kitchen cabinet to provide a finished look. In addition to the lower cost of this method, it also provides a lighter product.

Tools and Materials Needed for Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Like producing any other products, some essential tools and materials should be available for constructing frameless kitchen cabinets.

Tools: There are various tools available for making a cabinet that carpenters should have. However, the essential ones are table saw or circular saw while having a guide for making accurate cuts in the material. Other tools that can be practical are jig types and combination squares.

Materials: Experts always recommend using MDF panels or Plywood materials for both interior doors and kitchen cabinets. These materials come with different appearance grades and can accept various finishes. When using MDF panels, it is better to glue the joints and utilize appropriate pocket screws.

Steps of Constructing Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

Constructing frameless kitchen cabinets for different trendy layouts requires some essential steps. These steps will help cabinetmakers to achieve the best results for their kitchen cabinets.

  1. Calculating Kitchen Cabinet and Component Dimensions: The dimension that the cabinet maker needs for creating kitchen cabinets is the height, depth, width, component dimensions, bottom dimensions, shelf size, back and back dimensions, stretchers and sub toe kick measurements. The application determines the product’s height, and the depth has standard numbers, including the kitchen cabinets door. The cabinet depth is also equivalent to the preferences. The other dimensions are all depending on the first measurements. However, it is better to consult with professional cabinetmakers for better measures.
  2. Attaching Side To Back: This step starts with applying edge banding to the front of both kitchen cabinets sides. Then drilling pocket holes around the top and sides of the product’s back is necessary to attach it to one side.
  3. Attaching Bottom: Next step involves applying edge banding to the front of the bottom section and drilling pocket screw holes for connecting the bottom to the side and back section of the cabinet. Using a square is essential to make sure the alignments are appropriate.
  4. Fixing Other Side: Now it is time to settle and attach the other side to the cabinet assembly utilizing the previously drilled pocket holes.
  5. Stretchers Attachment: Attach the edge banding precisely to the front section of the two stretchers and then drill pockets holes for attaching them to the cabinet. For the first drawer, the bottom stretcher on the front is utilized.
  6. Installing Sub Toe Kick: The sub toe kick helps support the kitchen cabinet and adds rigidity to the finished kickboard after the installation process.
  7. Drilling Shelf Pin Holes: The last step is to drill holes with a jig in the back and front of each side of the kitchen cabinet for shelf pins. After drilling, install the shelf by applying edge banding to the front of the frame and inserting its hooks in the appropriate locations.

Introducing different types of MDF PVC, Letron and Melamine wood

Pre Laminated MDF

When it comes to home renovation and upgrading your interiors, you will want to consider your home’s kitchen cabinets, doors, furniture, flooring, etc. Most people prefer to upgrade their interiors with wood materials that can enhance their house’s appearance and aesthetics. However, choosing the best wood type can be a daunting task. But we are here to help you by introducing different kinds of MDF PVC, Letron, and Melamine woods, which are the best wood materials for interior applications. Before buying one, make sure to read this article thoroughly to choose the most suitable wood for your kitchen cabinets, interior doors, or floorings.

What is MDF?

The advancement of industry and the limited nature of natural resources have led us to produce and use artificial and man-made products. One of the things to note about this is the wood products. Wood has long been considered a raw material for the construction and manufacture of all kinds of equipment. But, as mentioned, the limited resources and other political-economic reasons led us to turn to other options. Also, the goal of producing processed products was to produce products that could bring together the features and benefits of previous products as much as possible in a new alternative product. Such composite products are final products that have better properties than their raw materials before blending. These include MDF fiberboard and other wood citrus, as well as artificial coatings.

The word “MDF” stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. This wood product is made of wood fibers and count therefore in the group of fiber boards. In this sense, MDF accompanies the word medium in its definition, which has a medium density or specific gravity. Any fiberboard that weighs more or less than this specific gravity falls into the category of HDFs and LDFs, respectively; Because they contain hard or tough words and low in their definition. MDF is one of the most popular wooden composite materials in terms of its extensive benefits and has been widely used in industry, equipment and construction. These benefits include reasonable and affordable prices, resistance to erosion and insects, high appearance diversity, acceptance of special coatings.

Advantages of MDF Panels 

MDF panels offer various advantages for interior applications, and some of these benefits are:

  • Medium Density Fiberboards are More-Cost Effective Materials than Solid Woods
  • MDF Panels do not Have Splinters or Voids
  • Painting MDF is Easy Since It Has a Smooth Surface
  • You Can Easily Cut These Boards With a Router and Different Types of Saws Without Any Burnings or Tear-Outs

Learn more about the advantages of MDF Kitchen cabinets.

Disadvantages of MDF Boards

Although MDF boards are valuable materials for your home’s cabinets and doors, they have their disadvantages that you need to know.

  • MDF is a Heavy Material
  • If Not Sealed Properly, It can Takes In Water and Other Liquids and Will Swell.
  • These Engineered Woods Do Not Feature Wood Grains for Aesthetics, and You Will Have to Paint Them 

Tips for Using MDF

 When installing your MDF panels for your cabinets or floorings, there are some essential precautions you need to have if you want to avoid damaging the boards. 

  • Do Not Use Hammer: Since MDF is a robust wood material, you cant use nails with a hammer. So, you should pre-drill a hole or use a trim nailer to shout nails into the board. We recommend you use a putty knife to scrape off the bumps.
  • Do Not Let MDF Get Wet: MDF panels will swell to twice their thickness when exposed to water. However, some moisture-resistant engineered woods can be used in areas with higher humidity, such as the bathroom or laundry rooms.
  • Utilize Solvent-Based Primer: You will want to avoid a sandpaper effect during the MDF painting process by priming the edges.
  • Protect Your Face When Cutting MDF: Cutting MDF can produce a sandstorm of fine, powdery dust that can be dangerous for our health. So, it is essential to cover your face with a tight-fitting mask or cut the panels outdoor.
  • Have Extra Saw Blade: When cutting MDF, you should expect your saw blades to get dull. Thus, it is better to have an extra saw blade during cutting MDF Panels.

Conculsion for MDF Boards

This visual diversity of MDF is created by coatings of different materials. Even natural wood veneers are used to cover MDF boards, but synthetic materials play a more prominent role in MDF, as there are a variety of veneers to enhance. Low resilience and MDF deficiencies are used. These properties are not found in natural wood, which is why we have basically turned to synthetic products such as MDF. Examples include waterproof, antifreeze, antifungal, fire retardant coatings and many others. In terms of veneers that only cover the appearance of MDF, a wide range of colors and visual diversity is available. MDF coatings are a layer of adhesive-coated coating that adheres to the board or raw MDF board due to heat and pressure from the press machine. As mentioned, each coating gives MDF both positive and different functional properties. In the following, we want to get acquainted with three artificial veneers that are placed on a special purpose as a cover on MDF.

mdf panels

Everything you should know about PVC

PVC is a polymer product that has unlimited application in a variety of fields and is therefore one of the most important polymer products. The original or scientific name of this product is Lee Vinyl Chloride, and PVC represents the same name (Polyvinyl chloride). In the construction of PVC, the logic of replacing another material was natural rubber, which was obtained with great difficulty and time. Chemists from all over the world were researching the material, but the hardness and fragility of PVC at the beginning of its construction made it difficult and perhaps impossible to work with. Finally, research and experiments in the 19th and 20th centuries yielded results, and with the addition of additives, a soft, flexible, workable polymer product was produced. Since then, with the advancement of PVC, this material has been proposed as an alternative to previous industrial and construction materials.

One of the advantages of PVC is that it is chemically stable, flexible, resistant to high temperatures, and easy to disinfect. Also, the resistance of PVC coating against scratches and abrasions is high.

PVC vast application in almost everywhere!

PVC, like MDF, is applied in many cases and is even more widely used than MDF. In addition to home application, it is also used extensively in the construction of land and water vehicles, false ceilings, partitions, tank coverings, protective coatings, furniture making, door and window construction, and the wood industry. At the same time, PVC is one of the coatings used on MDF to make a comprehensive cover on both sides of MDF. PVC coating is used on MDF to reinforce some of its properties and make it a superior product, or to give new properties to the final product as a composite product.

PVC itself is produced in white and comes out of the factory in the same color. But since it is applied for various purposes, its color and design are very important and should be changed from the original design and shape. Of course, PVC painting is a long and expensive process, and this prevents a large variety of colors and designs of PVC. For this reason, PVC sheet is coated, which is available in various designs and colors, and most of them use the same coatings. These sheets are available in a variety of designs, such as wood designs or a variety of matte, glossy, and high-glass designs. Various thicknesses are also considered for these PVC coatings.

These sheets, which are used as sheets, have the ability to cover any type of surface with any angle and ending and curvature. Especially on boards that have been machined or used, this coating can create a uniform surface as a cover and help clean the final product. For instance, when covering doors that have been machined and differ in surface and depth due to the original design, a continuous coating is required to cover all the ups and downs and dimensions. These doors are covered with PVC sheeting to form a uniform final appearance, as if they were immersed in a concentrated liquid.

Especially PVC coating in the form of thin strips as thick as MDF board is used to cover the cut part of the board. This strip makes the inner texture of the MDF indistinguishable, and the sharp cut corners become softer and the product looks more beautiful. In this PVC application, the coordination of the color of the strip with the color of the MDF board is very important.

Do you know what “Melamine coating” is?

Melamine is a polymeric material that is popular in the plastics industry due to its unique production processes. Low Pressure Melamine is just one type of coating that is placed on a wood product such as MDF to cover it. These coatings are used to protect MDF against moisture, scratches and heat, and many others. These thin sheets of adhesive are glued to wooden boards, especially MDF, by heat and pressure from the press machine. These veneers are one of the most popular veneers for MDF. Due to the complexity and difficulty of the melamine coating process, many MDF manufacturers also consider a separate melamine MDF production line.

Melamine is a type of laminate that is produced under low pressure. Artificial laminate flooring itself is classified into several categories: high-pressure or HPL laminates, low-pressure or LPM laminates, and compressed or CPL laminates.

The two groups of HPL and CPL laminates are used in different locations based on the level of safety and quality of construction. For instance, high pressure laminate is suitable for hospital and laboratory environments because it is highly resistant to external factors and cleaning them frequently does not harm it. Of course, the downside of high-pressure laminates is their high durability, low flexibility, hardness and fragility. Compressed laminates are also produced with more layers than the previous model and therefore have a longer life and durability than it.

In the meantime, working with low-pressure laminate flooring, or melamine, is easier than working with HPL and CPL. Melamine coating is used both for indoor and outdoor application. Furniture such as sofa, desks and bedside tables, toilets, kiosk cabinets, wall coverings and cupboards and shelves are just some examples. In fact, melamine can be considered as a coating with the widest range of consumption for wood products. This type of decorative paper has a high variety of appearance and does not limit the manufacturer in this regard, but it is not possible to have a glossy appearance with this veneer material.

Like PVC, melamine coating tape is used to cover the edges and diameters of MDF boards to soften both the sharp edge and the rough texture of the board.

Melamine decorative paper is resistant to heat, scratches, moisture and abrasion, but is not highly resistant to acidic and alkaline materials.

Advantages of Melamine Boards

Now that you know what melamine boards are, it is good to know their clear advantages for kitchen cabinets, floorings, or other furniture you want to upgrade.

Melamine Boards are Durable: These materials are highly durable, water-proof, stain resistance, scratch-resistant, and you can clean them easily.

Melamine Comes with Perfect Finishes: You will have limitless choices with melamine boards since they are available in a wide array of wood grain options textures while being cost-effective. Additionally, you can apply and add whatever color or textures you want to these durable wood panels.

Budget-Friendly Wood Panels: Melamine panels are budget-friendly options for cabinets that do not sacrifice durability and quality. Since they do not need to be finished or sanded like solid wood, they can save you time and money during the renovation application.

Disadvantages if Melamine Boards

Like every material in all industries, melamine boards also have disadvantages. For example, melamine itself is a waterproof material, but it can create warps on the melamine coating if the water finds its way to the surface beneath. Another potential disadvantage of these boards can be expected after an improper installation. Although melamine panels are durable and sturdy, the particleboard material can get damaged and cause chipping in the melamine coating if you install them incorrectly. Additionally, since these boards are not edge-finished, they will require edgebanding to cover up their edges.

Applications and Uses of Melamine

Although you can use melamine boards for interior or exterior doors, their primary usage is in the bathroom and kitchen cabinetry due to their durability. Additionally, you can use them for shelvings and counters, whiteboards, flooring, and office furniture.

Stylish Letron Decorative Paper

Letron paper cover is also known as Paper Foil or Finish Foil. Letron is also one of the coatings that adheres to the surface and edges of woodworking tools such as MDF. Due to its low structure and price, this coating is not very resistant to moisture, heat and scratches. But it is still one of the most popular coatings for MDF in safe and non-hazardous cases.

It is made and glued to the board in such a way that it is first produced in a certain weight and dimensions, impregnated with glue and sold in rolls. The roll of paper is then opened and placed on the desired surface and, as in previous methods, is pressed to the raw MDF board under pressure. In such methods, it is important that the surface of the MDF board is homogeneous as well as smooth and polished so that the coating sits well on the surface.

In some cases, this coating is used to make the final effect of the work, so its design, matte and gloss are important. But most of the time, this coating is used as a simple coating to cover the raw texture of MDF board, only as a substructure, and finally it is painted so that the board is painted. In these cases, the final appearance is determined not by the Letron coating but by the same coloring.