MDF wall panels - decorative panels and features of their use in interior design

Unusual methods of interior decoration are becoming increasingly popular. The number of people interested in learning the basics of repair work on their own is only growing. You can create a perfectly flat surface in different ways, but using MDF panels for finishing a building is much simpler and more time-efficient.

Diversity of assortment on the finishing building materials market

Decorative MDF panels

A special place in the section of finishing materials is occupied by 3D wall panels made of MDF. Translated from English, the abbreviation MDF sounds like fiberboard. Among the advantages of 3D MDF panels, the following should be highlighted:

1. Low cost finishing material on MDF panels for interior decoration. Depending on the scale of purchase, the price per unit of product varies between 6-10 dollars (in wholesale the price for wood fiber boards is even lower, depending on the parameters of the product);
2. Speed ​​of installation work. Installing 3D MDF panels does not require a long installation period. Another thing is that you will have to tinker with installing the frame under the 3D panels, since everything depends on the material of the surface on which the frame will be installed under the wall panels;
3. Lightness of finishing material. Installation work can be handled alone;
4. Additional layer of sound insulation. This is especially true if the windows face a busy street;
5. Thermal insulation layer. When attaching wall panels to a surface without a frame, the overall thermal insulation rate increases by 10-15%. To increase it, it is enough to install a frame and lay an additional layer between the wall surface and the decorative panel.

Despite the wide range of advantages, the material has a number of nuances that overshadow the overall positive impression:

1. Design limitations. Despite the large assortment and choice of colors (from all kinds of brown shades to bright ones, with printed patterns and embossing), the variety in the relief of 3D natural panels is depressing. Considering mass production, the pattern is applied in the same type, which creates an optical illusion out of the blue;
2. Low fire resistance threshold. It is not recommended to install wood fiber wall panels in areas in close proximity to electricity and fire;
3. Low level of moisture resistance. Install MDF panels for interior decoration of loggias and balconies with caution, since condensation often forms in such rooms. With prolonged contact with moist air or water directly, the MDF board begins to deform. Therefore, it is not recommended to use this material for finishing rooms with high levels of air humidity: indoor swimming pools, baths, saunas, bathrooms. Use with caution in kitchens, balconies and loggias. It is safe to use in office and warehouse spaces, sleeping and rest rooms, as well as for finishing the corridor.

Instability to moisture

Selection criteria and types of MDF panels

Today, manufacturers offer a huge selection of samples of this material, which differ from each other.

Depending on the production method, MDF boards can be:

• whole pressed. Medium-density products, which are mainly used in furniture production, and are also used to line the walls of office premises. They have a smooth surface on both sides and are attached with clips;
• laminated. Due to the special coating, they have a characteristic shine; they are excellent at resisting moisture, which significantly extends their service life. But they are unlikely to be suitable for tiling a bathroom; it is better to use this material to finish doorways;
• moisture resistant. Such panels are generally not afraid of the negative effects of a humid environment and are intended for finishing rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, laundry rooms, etc.

Based on size and shape, the following types can be found on sale:

• slatted panels in the form of lining have a wide color palette and are ideal for finishing any premises, especially small ones and with many corners, for example, balconies, loggias, country cottages, etc.;
• tiled. They are distinguished by a locking connection and allow you to create a unique design due to volumetric structures and relief images. Often they are used to cover certain sections of walls in order to create a certain accent, for example, a fireplace area or a guest corner;
• leafy. Designed for quick finishing of walls over large areas, they are attached not to the sheathing, but directly to the wall using glue.

Depending on the type of external treatment, there are veneered products, MDF panels with a glossy surface, painted or made in the form of a 3D pattern. Here the choice depends on the personal tastes and desires of the owners of the home or office, as well as their financial capabilities.

When purchasing, experts recommend paying attention to the manufacturer, the quality of the product, its operating conditions, design and repair budget. When transporting panels, pay special attention to maintaining the integrity of the edges (locking part). You should also take a responsible approach to choosing the thickness of the panels. Thin panels are not intended for further construction work; they will only perform a decorative function. Panels larger than 12 mm perform additional functions, such as heat preservation and neutralize extraneous sounds.

Volumetric 3D panels

Volumetric panels 3 d are among the most expensive materials for interior wall decoration. Their creation takes many times longer than gypsum, bamboo or plastic ones, since craftsmen have to apply about 15-20 layers to achieve a better transfer of the relief. Panels with wood-like relief look especially natural and aesthetically pleasing. This technique allows you to most effectively convey the texture of natural materials, visually indistinguishable from the original.

Bamboo panels

Unlike bulk panels made from other materials, MDF boards are significantly heavier. Additional weight is given by multi-colored veneer, which covers the front surface of the slab to achieve maximum quality and brightness of the design.

Note. For those who strive for high environmental friendliness, 3D panels are made exclusively from natural materials. The thickness of one layer of wood sheet varies between 0.1-1 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages

Cork panels for walls

Recently, the production of volumetric MDF panels has been established, and the material is used by designers everywhere.

How do the panels look in the interior?

Taking into account all the difficulties that may arise when using wood material as cladding from the inside of a room, experts tried to get rid of the shortcomings of the building material, turning them into advantages:

1. Considering the low level of moisture resistance of conventional wood fiber boards, manufacturers have solved the problem by using special impregnations and coatings that can minimize or completely eliminate the damage from moist air;
2. Life time. Considering the use of various types of protective compounds that cover wood fiber sheets, the average service life reaches 1 century;
3. Installation. The slabs are fastened using liquid nails or special wood glue;
4. Hiding wall surface defects. Of course, to attach the panels to a bare wall, without using a frame base, you will have to suffer and more or less level the wall. However, you won’t have to study the wall with a level and look for flaws - small chips and cracks of the 3D MDF panel will be easily hidden;
5. Variety of colors and relief patterns. When ordering slabs for an individual project, together with designers, you can create your own pattern and relief.

Note. Despite the fact that MDF is a building material that acts as a good sound and heat barrier, due to its natural composition the material allows the walls covered underneath to breathe.

The main advantages of MDF wall panels

In addition to the aesthetic component, MDF panels have many other advantages, namely:

• strength and durability. Due to its structure, such a material is not afraid of almost any mechanical loads and has good density indicators;
• environmental friendliness. MDF panels are absolutely safe, they do not contain harmful and toxic substances, and paraffin acts as a binding component for wood chips;
• moisture resistance. On sale you can find special moisture-resistant MDF boards covered with a protective film or veneer. They are designed for wall cladding in damp areas, for example, in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc. In addition, ordinary MDF wall panels can withstand moisture quite well, provided that the cut areas are reliably protected by a plinth, otherwise they may swell in a humid environment;
• high levels of thermal insulation and soundproofing. If you pre-insulate the walls before installing MDF panels, you can achieve an even greater sound absorption effect and the lowest heat loss;
• ease of care. To clean the surface of such material, you can use any non-abrasive detergents and ordinary wipes;
• the ability to hide any unevenness and imperfections in the surface of the walls, as well as cables and other utilities;
• versatility of application. MDF facade panels are suitable not only for cladding walls, they can also be used to finish ceilings, balconies, and sheathe the inside of various structures, garages, etc.;
• ease of processing and installation, the ability to quickly replace damaged parts due to the presence of a special locking mechanism for fastening the panels to each other;
• affordable price. Compared to natural materials that imitate MDF panels, they have a lower cost.

Types of 3D panels

Stone effect wall panels

After deciding on the choice of material for a decorative panel in 3D format, the buyer faces a new dilemma, since MDF boards are also divided into:

• laminated;
• whole pressed;
• moisture resistant.

The latter option is suitable for rooms that require a coating with increased resistance to moisture. This could be a loggia or balcony, a kitchen, a bathroom or a toilet. Of the three options, moisture-resistant 3D finishing is the most durable. The acrylic coating protects against water getting inside the stove, and the easiest way to care for such a surface is just to wipe it with a dry piece of cloth.

Laminated panels are used for cladding walls and ceilings in rooms with normal or low humidity levels. Despite the fact that manufacturers indicate resistance to humidity, they cannot compare with moisture-resistant laminated boards.

Laminated MDF sheets with a three-dimensional pattern are used as decoration for door and window openings inside the building, as well as arched passages

Solid pressed MDF sheets are used for cladding office premises. In terms of cost and quality, they are inferior to the previous options, but they impress with their ease of installation and the speed of assembly of the panels.

Taking into account the initial parameters and purpose of the room, as well as knowing the features of each type of MDF sheet, choosing the necessary material for covering will not be difficult.

No. 6. The best manufacturers of MDF panels

SWISS KRONO GROUP

Once upon a time in 1897, it was a small sawmill located in Austria. Today, the group of companies includes a lot of factories located around the world , its products are in demand all over the world, and the company’s name has become a kind of quality mark. A company plant was also opened in Russia in 2002 , which today is well known as Kronostar. This enterprise is today considered the country's largest manufacturer of wood-based panels.

In the country, MDF boards from Kronostar are very popular, because their quality is European and their prices are domestic. The company offers a huge selection of such panels; they have a lot of advantages; they are used for cladding walls and, if desired, ceilings; they can be laid horizontally, vertically or at an angle.

P&M Kaindl

This Austrian company with more than a century of history is today considered the world leader in the production of MDF panels. They use only the highest quality raw materials, modern high-tech equipment and constantly introduce innovations, as a result of which the products constantly receive prestigious awards. The company specializes in the production of laminate and MDF panels, each time striking with new developments. Products are exported all over the world and are also represented in Russia.

Sonae Industry

The Portuguese company , whose factories are today located in 12 countries around the world, is not far behind the giant in terms of sales The company has existed since 1959, first producing plastic products, then producing chipboard, and since 1990 it has been producing MDF panels. Today the company is one of the world's three largest manufacturers of MDF panels. Such high results were achieved thanks to a strict approach to quality control, constant improvement of technology and expansion of the range.

KASTAMONU

The company has been operating since 1969 and today combines production facilities in Turkey, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina , and recently a plant was opened in Russia , so the company’s products are actively entering the domestic market and have a fairly low price. High production turnover allowed the company to enter the top five woodworking companies in Europe. The company's factories use modern technology, and new technologies are constantly being introduced. The company's assortment includes MDF panels with a wide variety of coatings and different sizes, and there are so many decor options that everyone will definitely find an option for themselves.

CJSC "Plitspichprom"

A large domestic enterprise, which includes several factories. The production of MDF panels is carried out by JSC Lesplitinvest, which uses the best and most advanced European technologies, adapted to domestic operating conditions. Today, 35 types of different panels are produced here, and equipment from Italian, German and Swiss production is used. The assortment includes veneered, painted and laminated panels; there are a lot of design options. Prices vary: there are both budget options and quite expensive ones.

"Zheshart plywood mill"

The company has been operating since 1946, and today is one of the main domestic manufacturers of MDF boards. The products are used not only in Russia, but are also actively exported to neighboring countries. Modern equipment is used, new advanced technologies are constantly being introduced, and production volumes are increasing.

LLC "Master and K"

This group of companies has been the flagship in the domestic market for the production of MDF panels for several years in a row. The manufacturer appeared in 1995, began with the production of chipboards, and today its range is very extensive and also includes MDF panels. They are presented in several collections, which are constantly updated and replenished with new types, so the buyer will certainly be able to find an option with the necessary technical characteristics and design.

"Latat"

Another responsible manufacturer of MDF boards with a full production cycle. The company carries out its own logging, produces low-toxic resins used as a binder, and produces boards using modern German equipment. The company's specialists control all stages of production, which allows us to achieve high quality products.

Design projects with MDF boards

Depending on the complexity of the work, most interior design studios are ready to take on design projects with a unique panel with voluminous relief. A number of them cooperate with a certain manufacturer of wood fiber panels, others are engaged in the independent production of finishing building materials. Particularly relevant are painted or veneered aprons for kitchens, as well as walls dividing into several zones, which are a frame covered on both sides with volumetric slabs fixed to it.

Installation Tips

MDF panels can be mounted in two ways:

• install tiles with glue;
• attach to the frame base.

Both options have the right to life, since there are many nuances that can affect the choice of fastening method:

1. slab thickness;
2. material of the original wall (on which it is planned to install 3D slabs);
3. purpose of the premises;
4. initial parameters of the room;
5. the need for an additional layer of insulation.

Note. The dimensions of the room should be taken into account, since volumetric slabs can steal about 18-20 cm from the width of the room, not counting the frame.

When using frame technology for attaching finishing materials, you should decide what to make the frame from. So, for rooms with high humidity, it is better to replace the wooden frame with a metal frame, moreover, made of galvanized steel. Firstly, due to its resistance to corrosion, and secondly, due to the comparative lightness of the material.

Therefore, before purchasing materials for redecorating a room, you should approach the issue seriously and devote attention and time to studying the features of the interaction between MDF panels and the material from which the wall is made. Don’t forget about the final purpose of the 3D panels and the room in which you plan to place such a panel.