How to choose quality MDF panels
Even despite the fact that MDF wall panels are relatively inexpensive, however, the purchase of low-quality material can subsequently lead to disastrous results and repeated spending. To choose quality panels, follow the tips:
- Check the certificate of conformity of products to quality standards. When buying, be sure to request this document from the seller. Its presence indicates the absence of harmful elements that can be used to manufacture these panels, such as toxic resins or formaldehyde.
- Externally inspect the entire batch of goods that you plan to purchase. A large number of defective copies should be alarming. Any irregularities, cracks and other deviations from the norm are a sign of a poor-quality product. It is highly discouraged to buy it, even if its price is too attractive.
- Consider the colors carefully. In addition to the uniformity of the color scheme, you need to check such a parameter as the evenness of the layer overlay. If there are irregularities, this indicates a low quality product.
Popular manufacturers
Today, many companies around the world produce these products, however, not many can boast of good quality. Consider the rating of the best companies producing MDF panels:
- Swiss krono group. A large wood processing enterprise with representative offices and factories in many countries of the world. The products are of European quality at domestic prices.
- P&M Kaindl. Austrian company, one of the leaders in the production of MDF products. The plant has the most advanced equipment that allows it to produce only high-quality products that are sold all over the world, including in our country.
- Sonae Industria. The Portuguese company is also one of the largest in the world. It has been producing MDF boards for almost 30 years. During this time, it has established itself from the best side.
- LLC "Master and K". A domestic company that has existed for over 20 years. High-quality products of this plant are used and sold not only in Russia, but also in many countries of the world. The assortment of the company is constantly expanding.
Interior options
- You can add variety using different colors. In this option, a unifying direction has been chosen - all panels have a natural wood pattern, but the shades are different. This effect is similar to a mosaic, but it does not seem too intrusive, since a restrained range of brown tones is observed, including the molding, which is used to emphasize the decor. The material here goes well with the stone, which is used to trim the small wall on the side.
- The panels can only take up part of the space; it is not necessary to decorate the entire room with them. The combination of such products in the lower part with the wallpaper located above is a classic solution. If you like Victorian style and English classics, then you can choose this option and create a discreet but elegant interior using MDF.
In the next video, you will find the installation of MDF panels on the walls.
Beautiful examples
MDF wall products can be installed in a wide variety of rooms, from active halls and cafes to rooms in apartments or houses. For many builders, such a finishing material may be associated with "official" and boring decor, but in reality it is not - thanks to the chic choice of colors and textures, beautiful and stylish compositions can be created from such panels. At the same time, in the interior decoration of rooms, products look good not only with imitation of wood, but also other natural materials.
In addition, wall sheets can be perfectly combined with various inserts, so you can get a stunning effect in design.
When choosing panels for decorating a living room, it is important to consider what functions the room will perform, and how many spatial zones it consists of. Most often, the walls of the living room are decorated with products in a classic style.
They do this in such a way that they are a kind of continuation in the decor of the fireplace, doorways, stairs and other interior items. At the same time, it is recommended to alternate panels for light and dark wood, or to combine two shades at the same time. For example, the living room looks original, in which one wall is sheathed with light oak panels, and the other with dark wenge-like panels.
- In addition, in rooms that combine a recreation area and a dining room, you can make a combined paneling horizontally. From the bottom to the half of the wall, a dark material will be placed, and a light one will be placed on top. To hide the spaces between the color transitions, it is recommended to install additional decor from a wooden plank. It is also interesting to look in the living room walls, which are paneled vertically from floor to ceiling. Due to the fact that the material attached to the base acquires a plank structure, the surface is striped, as a result of which the space visually expands.
- Laminated MDF products will become a real decoration for the kitchen. As a rule, a material with imitation of wood and natural stone is chosen for this type of room. With the right design, such panels will help make a room modern and stylish, fill it with home coziness and comfort. Most often, veneered or laminated MDF boards are used for the kitchen - they are close to wood in their beauty and structure, so they are recommended to be placed in the dining area.
- In addition, MDF wall panels can completely replace ceramic tiles in the kitchen, as they have a great advantage over them. The dining area, decorated with such panels, will take on an interesting look. The choice of material colors depends on the size of the room. For small kitchens, it is recommended to use light panels, and for spacious rooms you can use your maximum imagination and combine wood-grain MDF sheets with panels of a different texture. Thus, you get an unusual interior that allows you to visually divide the kitchen into several zones.
- Partitions covered with wall panels also look good in the kitchen. In this case, it is best to give preference to expensive veneer sheets or lacquered tiles. Products with photo printing look unusual on such partitions.
- A common problem in kitchen design is the difficulty of choosing a finishing material for sheathing the working area, which is located between the lower and upper rows of furniture. Thanks to moisture-resistant MDF panels, these places can be turned into a real work of art. For this, tiles with a pattern are selected and additionally covered with glass. Thus, you get a beautiful apron that will harmoniously fit into any style.
- MDF panels are widely used in the design of hallways. Since this room is always furnished with furniture and is characterized by small dimensions, it is necessary to correctly select the shape, texture and color scheme of the finishing material to cover its walls. It is advisable to give preference to light shades - they will hide the lack of space in the room and visually expand the boundaries of its space.
The soft texture and unusual shades of the panels will not only radically change the look of the room, but also give it a harmonious look. Due to the fact that the material is characterized by high moisture resistance, it can be used to sheathe walls anywhere: near the shower stall, between the hanging furniture and near the washbasin. In addition, the products perform zoning of the room and add chic to the interior.
How to install MDF panels on the wall, see this video.
Tips & Tricks
In order for MDF products to decorate the surface of the walls in an original way and serve for many years, before purchasing and installing them, it is necessary to take into account not only the characteristics of the material, but also the design features of the room.
To speed up the installation process and avoid various mistakes during it, you must follow the following recommendations.
- Wall cladding panels can only be attached to well-prepared surfaces. To do this, the walls are thoroughly cleaned of old finishes, leveled, eliminated defects and primed. Since plastering or the use of drywall requires special tools and knowledge, the panels can be simply installed on a metal or wooden frame. At the same time, we must not forget that a plastic film should be placed between the frame and the panels, which will help to avoid dampness of the walls. In the event that there are large cracks and other flaws on the surface of the walls, they will have to be covered with alabaster or cement mortar.
- To avoid deformation of products, they must be installed only on dry surfaces, therefore, if the walls have been treated with plaster, they need to be given time to dry and only then carry out the installation.
The decorative finish will only be perfect if the wall panels are correctly joined. The material is characterized by the presence of special side edges, therefore, during installation, they must be connected in such a way that the grooves go into the ridges.
Cleanliness must be observed during assembly work. Otherwise, dust and dirt can compromise the integrity of the fasteners, and seams will be visible.
Before installing the finishing material, you must carefully consider the interior of the room and draw up a preliminary sketch. Thus, the installation will be completed much faster.
In addition, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the room where the panels will be placed.
MDF products on a plastic basis are easily exposed to mechanical stress and do not make it possible to beautifully implement design ideas, so they are best chosen for non-residential premises.
When buying a finishing material, you need to pay attention to the markings indicated on the labels. According to it, you can determine the indicator of toxicity, flammability and smoke formation.
As a rule, according to these characteristics, 4 classes of products are distinguished. Therefore, the higher the figure of the indicator, the worse the material is considered.
For rooms with high humidity, it is recommended to buy panels that have undergone special processing. Otherwise, such a finish will lose its attractiveness over time and undergo deformation.
Before purchasing wall panels, you should carefully check each package for defects.
It is also important to see that the products correspond to the same shade, since the material from different batches may slightly differ in pattern and color.
Locking joints on the panels must be solid. If flaws are noticed, then the product cannot be bought, since in the future there may be problems with its installation.
For large rooms, it is best to choose tiled or sheet panels.
As for small rooms, rack options are suitable for them, which will help to visually expand the space. In addition, it is necessary to clarify when buying whether painting of the material is possible.
Peculiarities
MDF wall panels are a unique building product that comes in the form of small narrow strips covered with a special decor. The panels are produced using a special technology, so they are in many ways superior to conventional finishing materials.
The main advantages of MDF panels include some positions.
- Aesthetics. Unlike natural wood, which can have cracks and knots, this coating is characterized by a homogeneous structure and a smooth surface.
- Huge selection of assortment.The products are constantly updated with new design options. In addition, the panels can be made to order, choosing the decor at your personal discretion. Most often, MDF is used for the interior with an embossed, smooth, glossy or matte surface.
- Affordable price. Finishing with such material will be inexpensive, since MDF panels are much cheaper than natural wood.
- Easy to install. To fix the strips of the product on the wall, you do not need to have special construction skills.
- Reliability and durability in operation.
The main feature of installing MDF sheets is that they need to start to be fastened from the corner of the room, observing the distance between the slats of 50 cm.This is necessary in order to avoid deformation of the slats, which can be caused by mechanical stress or temperature extremes.
During installation work, brackets must be used, regardless of whether the material imitates wood or stone. This is done for the reason in order to further strengthen the structure. Panels that imitate natural stone are much heavier than ordinary ones, therefore, during their installation, the base of the walls must be well prepared. It is also necessary to provide the material with internal ventilation, which will prolong the life of the finish and increase thermal insulation.
Color spectrum
MDF panels have different colors, so choosing the right shade when decorating the wall design will not be difficult. Before choosing the color and texture of this material, you need to take into account the general palette of the room. Therefore, at first, the main background of the interior is determined, after which it can be complemented by colored panels. As a rule, white, gray, olive and beige colors are recommended for decoration of rooms. An interesting option for decoration will be slabs imitating a tree such as oak or wenge.
Walls decorated with orange, red and yellow materials will visually expand the room and fill it not only with bright colors, but also with an unusual atmosphere. For the design of kitchens, it is recommended to choose green MDF, which helps relieve stress and has a positive effect on the nervous system.
Products of pink and purple colors look special: a decorated design in such a palette will acquire a certain mystery, but since such shades are bright, they cannot be used in large quantities. It is best to combine them with light colors. The most natural color is brown - it is most often used when decorating walls in the kitchen and in the corridor.
As for the white, gray and black shades, they are in perfect harmony in any interior. To brighten up the solidity of a room whose walls are decorated with panels of this color, it is recommended to use bright inserts and original decor items. In addition, many designers prefer to use beige MDF in the interior, since this shade combines chic and restraint at the same time.
Design
Modern production technologies make it possible to produce wall MDF panels with different textures and designs. The most popular type is veneered and laminated products imitating natural wood. Indoor decor can be adequately decorated with MDF sheets made for sakura, pine, mahogany, alder or maple. Their surface can have either a glossy or matte surface, or complemented with a 3D effect or photo printing.
Designers try to create different interpretations of the material
Particularly noteworthy are wall slabs, the surface of which is finished to look like glass or metal. Carved and openwork panels that can be combined with any finishing material also look unusual in the interior of rooms.
Application
Due to their advantages, the panels are widely used. Wall cladding is the most common use.With these plates, you can create almost any design in a classic or modern style, come up with an original decor. The materials are easy to clean, and the moisture resistant ones can be washed, so the slabs are suitable for finishing in the corridor or hallway.
They can also be used in the kitchen, and not only for wall cladding. A tabletop for a dining table can be made of a plate. If the kitchen furniture is intended for cooking, it is better to choose a sturdier material. MDF is used for the manufacture of furniture facades. During production, the slabs can be shaped into any shape, even curved. An apron made of MDF is an economical solution, it is quickly assembled, looks beautiful, and if necessary, some part can be quickly replaced. But traditional materials, such as ceramic tiles, MDF is inferior in durability, resistance to temperature and moisture, strength.
Some types of material are also suitable for use in the bathroom, at least this is what the manufacturers assure. However, this issue has its own nuances. Under prolonged exposure to high humidity, the plate can change shape, fungi and mold often grow behind the panels, and the products themselves can be damaged due to mechanical stress. Therefore, although they are conditionally suitable for a bathroom, it is better to use it in a room where the owners do not arrange long water procedures for several hours with steaming in hot water.
In the bedroom, you can use panels to trim the area at the head of the bed. It is not necessary to sheathe all the walls with them, but highlighting one part is an interesting solution, especially if the bedroom combines several functions, for example, there is a place for a workspace in it. Using accents in the form of panels will help demarcate the room.
Suitable for MDF and balcony. With the help of plates, you can not only beautifully sheathe the walls, but also additionally insulate, since the material has good thermal insulation. Sheathing can be used for walls and ceilings. In any other room, the ceiling can also be finished with MDF to create a flat surface or a designer multi-level structure.
Certain tools are required to cut the panels.
You can use one of the following options:
- a hacksaw for wood - preferably with the largest teeth, from small ones the material begins to actively crumble;
- jigsaw - with its help you can make accurate and even cuts without wasting a lot of time;
- the grinder is a noisy tool, when using it, waste remains in the form of sawdust, but in the absence of other options, you can use this one too;
- A hacksaw for metal is suitable when you need to cut with maximum precision, as it can create very neat cuts.
In order for the MDF coating to last longer, it is recommended to pre-prepare the surface. If there is a layer of plaster on the wall, then it should be removed - it can accumulate moisture over time and worsen the condition of the plates, as well as contribute to the appearance of mold. After cleaning, a flat surface should remain, which is treated with an antiseptic and primed.
Sheet-format panels are attached to the lathing, which can be metal or wood. In the latter case, it is necessary to take care of additional processing of the structure in order to protect it from moisture, fungi and mold.
During installation, one of the methods of joining the panels is used to ensure their snug fit to each other:
- the most common option is the thorn-groove connection;
- there can be a groove-groove fastening;
- for connection, profiles are used that hold the plates together;
- glue fixing is possible only on a flat surface and for lightweight panels.
During installation, an additional layer of heat-insulating material can be installed on the battens, if necessary.In the event that wiring will pass under the panels, it is worth using a fire-resistant corrugation in order to avoid ignition and fire in the event of a short circuit or other malfunctions.
Wooden panels
Wall panels made of natural wood are distinguished by exquisite aesthetics, their use allows you to add nobility, solidity and prestige to the interior. Most often, for the manufacture of wooden wall panels, an array of valuable species is used, and veneers of mahogany, rosewood, linden, walnut, cherry are used for decoration. To achieve a greater decorative effect, when creating them, a wide palette of natural wood shades, mirror inserts, colored varnish, gilding and intarsia carvings are actively used, therefore wood panels are an indispensable attribute of interiors in a classic style.
Wooden wall panels look very impressive
Wood wall panels will give your interior a rich look
Wooden panels have a rather limited scope - they cannot be installed in rooms with high humidity, even the use of special varnishes and impregnations cannot protect them from the negative effects of moisture. And in ordinary rooms, in order to protect the panels from cracking (occurs due to the alternation of the processes of moisture absorption by wood and its evaporation), it is necessary to maintain a constant humidity level of about 60%. Another significant disadvantage of wood panels is their high cost.
Wall decoration with wooden slatted panels
The wood-paneled room looks not only attractive and respectable, it is full of natural warmth and hospitality.
What are the types
Installation of MDF wall panels will help in creating a unique image of any room. All possible ways of finishing the front surface, the size and shape of this material will allow you to choose the right one for you from a variety of options.
MDF will help you create a unique design for your premises
According to the physical characteristics of the MDF panel are divided into the following types:
Rack - the most common type of material. Ease of installation lies in the presence of a ridge on each slatted panel on one side, a groove on the other. This makes it easy to do the installation with your own hands, without resorting to outside help.
Rack view of MDF panels
Sheet panels are sheets of various sizes, decorated in various ways.
MDF sheet panels will help you quickly finish the walls
Tiled MDF panels are similar to tiles, only they are larger. Installation in a tiled format is carried out according to the rack-and-pinion principle - "ridge in groove".
Wall decoration with white lacquered MDF panels to create sound insulation
Tiled view of MDF
Types of decorating the front surface of the panels:
Veneering. Such panels resemble natural wood as much as possible in texture and color. For their facing, a thin layer (less than 3 mm) of natural wood veneer is used.
Veneered MDF panels perfectly imitate natural wood
Veneered MDF panels
Panels, on the front surface of which a polyvinyl chloride film is applied, are called laminated. This type of wall decoration looks very stylish. A variety of patterns, shades and textures distinguish the material from other types. Finishing with a glossy PVC film gives the room a respectable look.
Laminated MDF panels look very attractive
- Wall panels MDF with photo printing - a new trend of fashion. Photo printing with all kinds of images is applied to the front surface. To protect the design, a layer of water-repellent acrylic varnish is applied on top.
- Decorative MDF panels with 3d effect - know-how in the construction market. This method consists in applying to the finishing material by painting in various colors to simulate waves, geometric volumetric figures, carvings, and relief.Decorating a room with such material helps to solve the most complex design ideas.
Decorative MDF panels with 3d effect
MDF panels with a 3D effect will help to translate interesting design ideas into reality
Panels painted with special paints are the traditional processing method. Spreading evenly over the canvas, the paint smooths out small irregularities. There are no restrictions on the shades of paint. Finishes with silver or mother-of-pearl effect match modern interior design styles.
MDF panels, painted with paints, have a huge range of shades
When choosing MDF panels, consider the place of their application. For example, laminated material is more resistant to abrasion or scratches. Painted products have a higher moisture resistance than veneered ones. But you will have to pay more for veneered products, because this is a natural material.
By its properties, MDF is in many ways superior to wood
Varieties of wall panels
Finishing types
Depending on the shape, panels of the following types are distinguished:
• slatted type-setting - are oblong planks made of wood, chipboard, PVC, fiberboard or MDF. These interior wall panels are 240 to 370 centimeters long, 12.5 to 30 centimeters wide and 0.8 to 1.2 centimeters thick. The panels have grooves and spikes to connect to each other. Installation of cladding in horizontal and vertical orientation is allowed;
• tiled typesetting - are squares with sides from 30 to 98 centimeters long. Such wall panels are great for creating mosaics, because each of them has its own color and texture. Coating material - MDF, fiberboard, PVC and chipboard. To connect the plates, grooves and inserts are used;
• sheet - better than others have proven themselves when decorating large walls. The dimensions of their sides can vary from 122 to 244 centimeters with a thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 centimeters. Unlike other materials, wall panels are made only of wood or resin-impregnated fiberboard.
Rack type panels of various widths
The methods of fixing the plates are different. So, slatted type-setting panels for wall decoration are fixed on the crate, tiled ones - with the help of clamps or adhesive. Glue is also used for fastening sheet panels, and the seams between the covering elements are masked with moldings. How to install PVC on the ceiling yourself? watch the video and read here.
Classic paneling solutions
When finishing with plastic panels with your own hands, you need to take into account not only the type of coating elements, but also the material of their manufacture.
Wooden products are considered reliable, they are made from such types of wood as alder, maple, oak or cedar.
Sometimes the finish has a wax coating, due to which it can be used in rooms with high levels of humidity. Since wood wall cladding panels are environmentally friendly, they are recommended for use in residential areas.
Popular products made of fiberboard - a material consisting of woody plant fibers. They are also safe for human health, resistant to high humidity, but deteriorate in direct contact with water. In turn, facing panels made of chipboard for interior wall decoration are similar in appearance and quality to wood. This is due to the fact that chipboard is a compressed waste from wood production. The disadvantage of this material is the poor tolerance of sudden changes in temperature and humidity conditions.
Panels made of MDF are highly resistant to almost any environmental factors. Fiber boards are produced by using the dry pressing method, so they are not afraid of moisture and mechanical stress.It is recommended to decorate the walls with MDF panels, such as those rooms where conventional materials are short-lived or ineffective.
All mentioned types of panels are recommended for use in residential premises. With proper care, their service life will be more than 10 years. Wooden wall panels for wall decoration have a particularly long service life: if they are made of high-quality wood, they will retain their original appearance for several decades.
Panels from new materials
The panels made from gypsum vinyl are renowned for their reliability and durability. The material of their manufacture is a modification of drywall, and is similar in properties. Plastic panels for walls for interior decoration, which are not demanding on operating conditions and are easy to maintain, also demonstrated their best side.
New products on the building materials market are glass panels and 3D panels. The former are intended for applying photographic drawings to the surface of the walls, the latter have an unusual texture with a hypertrophied relief. 3D panels are made from all of the above materials, as well as from aluminum.
Wall decoration with plastic panels is allowed in residential, commercial and public institutions. This coating is often used in schools and kindergartens because it is considered environmentally friendly. In turn, glass panels are as safe as plastic and are able to withstand significant mechanical stress, but are less common because they are more expensive. The same goes for the increasingly popular 3D panels.
3D panels create an unusual effect
Properties of MDF wall panels
This material should in no way be confused with chipboard or fiberboard. Fiberboard (MDF) has a much higher density and mass. This means that the strength is increased, due to which you can not worry about the condition of the walls for a very long period. Sufficient pressure must be applied to break or bend the slab.
MDF panels have a huge number of positive qualities.
Stylish garage with wall decoration from MDF panels
- MDF wall panel sheet shows itself from the best side regarding resistance to moisture and temperature extremes. The material does not shrink or swell when exposed to moisture. This property allows the boards to be used in rooms with high humidity.
- The material lends itself easily to mechanical processing: grinding, milling, gluing, drilling, fastening. They can be decorated with decorative cutting and any patterns can be cut into them. To do this, it is enough to have tools for wood and, of course, skills.
MDF is resistant to moisture and temperature extremes, and is also easy to process
- MDF tolerates any wood glue well. For this material, "liquid nails" have been developed - a special adhesive composition that allows not only to glue, but also to seal the gaps on the surface and between the panels.
- Various sizes of MDF wall panels allow to reduce the amount of waste in the process.
Bright MDF panels with 3D effect
MDF panels are perfect for an apron kitchen