MDF Doors: Entrance And Interior Doors, Their Varieties With A Description And Characteristics, Advantages And Disadvantages, As Well As Installation And Operation Features

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

MDF doors: the secret of popularity

Today's door market is filled with various models and types of door designs. All of them look attractive, but differ in the method and materials of manufacture. MDF doors are quite popular among buyers, as they are not too expensive and look decent.

Content

• 1 Features of MDF doors

  • 1.1 Video: what is MDF
  • 1.2 Construction of MDF doors
  • 1.3 Video: what is MDF doors
  • 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of MDF doors
  • 1.5 Choosing a quality MDF door

• 2 Varieties of MDF doors

  • 2.1 MDF entrance doors

    2.1.1 Video: metal door with MDF overlays

  • 2.2 Interior doors
  • 2.3 Photo gallery: MDF doors in the interior

• 3 Manufacturing and installation of MDF doors

  • 3.1 Stages of manufacturing an interior door from MDF boards

  • 3.2 Installation of an MDF door in the opening

    3.2.1 Video: do it yourself MDF door

• 4 Repair and restoration of MDF doors

  • 4.1 Sealing the hole in the door

  • 4.2 Eliminate other defects

    4.2.1 Video: how to replace glass in a non-separable door

• 5 Caring for MDF doors
• 6 Reviews about MDF doors

Features of MDF doors

MDF doors are made of coniferous timber, which is located along the contour of the door, forming a frame. Then MDF boards are attached to it, the inner cavity is filled with honeycomb cardboard or hardboard. From above, MDF boards are protected with various coatings.

MDF interior doors are currently the best alternative to solid wood structures

The abbreviation MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. These boards are made from dried wood fibers, which are pressed during the manufacturing process to form panels of the desired density. For a strong connection of the fibers, urea resins are used, gluing them to each other. To prevent the fibers from emitting harmful substances, melamines are added to the composition.

MDF board is a completely environmentally friendly and safe material

Video: what is MDF

MDF door construction

The general scheme for making MDF doors is always the same. However, the components may differ.

1. Frame - made of an array of coniferous wood (usually pine).
2. Filler - honeycomb cardboard or hardboard is used as it.
3. MDF boards.
4. Protective covering. It can be anything: PVC film, laminate, veneer, eco-veneer, etc.
5. Finish coating. It can be: varnish, paint, melamine film, etc.

The pricing principle for MDF products directly depends on their design features

The design of MDF doors also depends on their type:

1. Shield. The panel door leaf can be solid or decorated with various inserts (usually glass).

   

   Interior panel doors consist of 3 main parts: frame, filler and external decorative cladding

2. Paneled. The leaf of such a door has a frame, which is complemented by inserts - panels.

   

   The panel-type canvas has a very original appearance and is a completely collapsible structure

In addition to the difference in types, MDF doors also differ in the type of decorative coating. There are five main coatings:

1. PVC foil. The material is available in various colors, provides moisture resistance and fire resistance of the door leaf.

   

   PVC coating is moisture resistant, durable, safe and fire resistant

2. Veneer. The most expensive coating, as it consists of natural wood. Environmentally friendly and gives the door a unique natural wood grain. A door covered with natural veneer will not allow heat and extraneous sounds to pass through.

   

   Veneer doors have a wide range of colors and textures - choosing the right option for decorating any interior is not difficult

3. Eco-veneer. It is made by gluing thin layers of wood. The material is resistant to moisture, temperature extremes, sound and heat insulation.

   

   Eco-veneer doors are a popular substitute for expensive veneer products.

4. Laminate. One of the most popular door coatings among Russian buyers. The material has increased wear resistance, is not subject to deformation under the influence of moisture. Laminate is difficult to damage even with sharp objects.

   

   Decorative foil on the door surface acts as a protection against damage and imitates real wood

5. Enamel or paint. The coating has a huge color palette. It is applied to the door leaf in several layers and provides protection against moisture and temperature extremes.

   

   Enamel doors came into use in Soviet times, but to this day they have not lost their relevance

Each coating has its own pros and cons, therefore, when choosing, it is worth considering the characteristics of the room in which it is planned to install the door.

Video: what is MDF doors

Advantages and disadvantages of MDF doors

MDF doors are quite popular in the Russian market and this is no coincidence, because the material has a lot of positive qualities:

1. Durability. MDF is a fairly durable material, despite the fact that it is not made of solid wood. The MDF board is able to withstand even pinpoint impacts. The thicker the material, the higher its strength.
2. Moisture resistance. The material is moisture resistant due to special components added to the composition during manufacture. Such a door can be safely installed in the bathroom without fear that it will deform, swell or become covered with fungus and mold.
3. Long-term operation. Since MDF boards are not subject to decay, such a door can last up to 20 years, provided that the door block was initially correctly and efficiently installed.
4. Wear resistance. MDF boards are resistant to all kinds of external influences.
5. Soundproofed. MDF does not allow sounds to pass through, so such a door can be installed in a bedroom or children's room without the fear that extraneous sounds will interfere with restful sleep.
6. Heat resistance. The material does not change when exposed to very high or low temperatures. Therefore, MDF doors can also be installed as entrance doors.
7. Ease of construction. Due to the fact that the slabs are not made of solid wood, they are rather light in weight. This advantage allows you to use any door hinges and hang the door in narrow doorways.
8. Affordable cost. In terms of price - quality ratio, MDF doors are perhaps the leading ones among competitors. The cost of the door varies depending on the filler and the protective coating, but even the most expensive MDF door will cost several times cheaper than a similar construction made of solid wood.
9. Environmentally friendly. All details of MDF doors are made from environmentally friendly materials and quality standards.
10. Diverse designs. The variety of appearance of MDF doors is one of the largest on the Russian market. Even the most fastidious buyer will surely find a door that will meet all his requirements.

MDF doors can be installed even in rooms with high humidity

Among the disadvantages are:

• doors made of thin MDF boards can break from strong blows;
• easy flammability (PVC film coating can level this drawback).

Choosing a quality MDF door

When choosing a door, you need to pay special attention to some points. First, conduct a visual overview of the door covering. It must be free of abrasions, scratches and cracks. The edge of the door also requires careful inspection: make sure that it adheres firmly to the base material. The paper edge is of poor quality and unhealthy. It is better if the edge is made of plastic.

The edge should not go away from the door surface

If sound insulation is an important enough factor for you, then purchase a door with a sill and special rubber linings for the box, and pay attention to the thickness of the door leaf. Naturally, the thicker it is, the better the sound insulation.

The threshold will prevent extraneous sounds and odors from entering the room

You need to understand that the price of the product directly depends on the quality. Therefore, do not purchase too cheap designs: it is better to overpay a little than to get a non-functional door.

Varieties of MDF doors

MDF doors can be installed both indoors and at the entrance to it.

MDF entrance doors

The front door is the hallmark of every home. It must be reliable, durable and beautiful. An ordinary metal door, of course, is reliable, but not aesthetically pleasing enough. Therefore, metal doors with MDF plates are gaining more and more popularity. MDF panels not only make the door more respectable and graceful, but also improve its heat and sound insulation.

Doors with MDF overlays look prettier and more stylish than ordinary metal doors

Such doors are made using the following technology:

1. Profiled pipes measuring 5 * 2.5 cm are covered with a steel sheet with a thickness of 0.2 cm and more.
2. The necessary pattern or ornament is applied to the MDF board using a cutter.
3. Further, the canvas is covered with PVC film.
4. The panel with PVC foil is fixed to the steel frame using liquid nails or screws.
5. As a result, the door is finished.

MDF boards can be used not only for the exterior, but also for the interior decoration of the front door. The design of such a plate is selected, focusing on the stylistic direction of the entire apartment, or the hallway in particular. I must say that the variety of design solutions for entrance doors is so great that anyone who wants to find something to their liking.

In addition to all the advantages that are inherent in any MDF door, entrance doors are also more durable, due to the fact that they have a metal frame.

Video: metal door with MDF plates

Interior doors

The choice of interior doors must be approached no less scrupulously than the acquisition of the entrance door. After all, the doors dividing the rooms in the apartment must have good functionality and a beautiful appearance. MDF structures are a good option for installation in an interior opening.

When choosing interior doors, do not forget that their design should be in harmony with furniture, accessories and the general style of the room.

MDF doors are divided into several types, each of which has all of the above advantages.

By the type of opening MDF doors are divided into:

1. Swing. The traditional look of the door. The canvas opens to the left or right side and requires additional space in front of the door for this.

   

   Swing doors have a familiar appearance to everyone and are appropriate in any room style

2. Sliding. The opening is opened by sliding the door leaf to the side. In this case, the canvas can go into the wall or go onto it. This type of door saves space in front of the door, but has poorer sound insulation compared to swing doors.

   

   Sliding doors look interesting and save space around the doorway

Also MDF doors are divided into:

• single-leaf - having one canvas;

  

  The single-leaf door fits into standard openings and fits into any room

• one and a half - with two canvases of different sizes;

  

  One-and-a-half doors require a wider opening and are installed in the living room or at the entrance to the apartment

• bivalve - having two canvases of the same size.

  

  A fairly wide opening is required to install double-leaf doors; such doors are suitable for living rooms and other large areas

The door shape can be:

1. Rectangular is the standard shape of interior doors.

   

   Classic rectangular doors will be appropriate in absolutely any style: from Provence to Scandinavian

2. Arched - this door has a rounded top.

   

   Arched doors will be appropriate in classic styles, as well as in luxurious Art Deco or Baroque settings.

The filling type is presented in two options:

1. Deaf: the door leaf is entirely made of wood materials.

   

   Blind doors are installed in rooms in which silence and tranquility are needed

2. Glazed: the door structure includes glass or mirror elements, which can be of different shapes, colors and sizes.

   

   Doors with glass are suitable for installation in the kitchen, living room, bathroom

The type of interior door is selected in connection with which room and with which opening it is installed. If this is a bathroom, bedroom or nursery, then it is better to choose a hinged blind door. Any option is suitable for the living room, and in the kitchen you can install a door with partial glazing.

Photo gallery: MDF doors in the interior

White is a versatile color and allows doors to be used in any room and in any style

The color of interior doors in the interior can be matched to the color of the furniture, such a decision is justified and works well as an accent, this technique is used by designers when creating modern interiors

A canvas made according to an individual project not only fits perfectly into the parameters of the room, but can also become an interior decoration, its highlight

Red door color looks great in ethnic, oriental, Indian, English, rustic, colonial style, it is also suitable for safari and chalet style

To unite the whole room into a single design concept, it is enough to put the same doors in all rooms.

The classic technique is to combine flooring and doors, such a union always looks harmonious

If the rooms are of medium or even small sizes, the walls are simple, unobtrusive decoration, and the whole interior is designed in a modern style, then white doors are the best option.

Wenge-colored doors look rich, representative, creating a special atmosphere of success of the interior itself, and therefore of its owners.

A white door can also act as a contrasting element of the interior if it is located against the background of a dark or bright wall, while not only the door leaf, but also the so-called platbands, moldings are often used with snow-white

The design of interior doors in a classic style will suit fans of traditional interiors that have not gone out of fashion for years, such models have the correct geometric shape, can be decorated with carved strict lines

Neutral canvases are suitable for eco, country, contemporary, ethnic and many historical interior styles

White color will not "indicate" the small dimensions of the space, will act as an ideal background for other interior items, will not focus on possible architectural flaws

Doors can be made of different materials, but must have the same design to maintain harmony in the interior of the room

Glass inserts make the structure visually lighter, more transparent, and also allow some of the light to pass into other rooms

In apartments, the outer side of the doors is chosen so as not to draw too much attention to it, but inside it can be decorated with great chic

Dark door leaves help to bring clarity and constructiveness to the image of the room, create some drama, but at the same time emphasize the shapes and lines of space

Designers recommend using door leaves with a non-standard height, more than 2 meters, in order to visually raise the ceilings of the premises

An entrance door made of MDF, like a wooden one, looks stylish and elegant, but it will cost much less, and in quality it is almost in no way inferior to wood

Manufacturing and installation of MDF doors

The process of making doors from MDF is quite simple, but certain skills and ability to work with tools are required.

To make a door with your own hands, you need to purchase the following building materials:

• beams made of pine wood 2 * 4 cm, length - 2 meters;
• MDF panels;
• cardboard honeycomb;
• PVA glue;
• screws or self-tapping screws;
• putty;
• paints and varnishes or self-adhesive film.

Of the tools you will need:

• carpentry square;
• pencil;
• meter;
• joiner's hacksaw;
• drill, drill;
• screwdriver;
• awl;
• chisel;
• a hammer;
• bit;
• sanding paper.

Prepare tools in advance so as not to be distracted by searching for them while working

Before purchasing the necessary materials and starting to manufacture the door, it is necessary to measure the doorway and draw a drawing of the door with the exact dimensions

On the drawing it is necessary to apply the dimensions of the doorway, the door being made, and also outline its approximate design

After all preparations are completed, you can proceed to manufacturing.

Stages of manufacturing an interior door from MDF boards

We will make a panel door. To do this, follow the instructions below:

1. We saw the bars for making the frame. You should have two vertical posts and three horizontal beams.

2. We connect the bars into a frame using self-tapping screws. You can use a half-tree connection.

   

   A horizontal lintel is necessary to ensure the rigidity of the door frame

3. At the installation site of the door handle and lock, we make a seal from two short bars.

4. We fill the space between the beams with honeycomb cardboard, which we fasten with staples.

   

   The cardboard is laid over the entire cavity of the door and fixed to the frame

5. Next, we fix the MDF boards on both sides of the product. For this, self-tapping screws and a screwdriver are used. It is necessary that the heads of the screws go a little inside the plate.

   

   MDF sheets are fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws

6. We putty the recesses from the self-tapping screws and grind after drying.

7. Then we make recesses for the hinges at the end of the door: we apply the hinges to the canvas, draw around them with a pencil and make notches in these places using a chisel.

   

   The indentations must be exactly the same size as the hinges

8. We mark the place for the handle and the lock. We drill the necessary holes.

   

   The holes are drilled with a drill with a wide nozzle

9. At the last stage, we apply a finishing coat to the door. This can be paint, varnish or self-adhesive tape.

   

   The varnish is applied with a brush or spray gun

10. After all the work done, the handle, lock and hinges are screwed to the door.

On this, the process of making a door from MDF panels can be considered complete. You just have to wait for the paintwork to dry and hang the door in the opening.

Installation of MDF door in the opening

Installation of MDF doors is no different from the installation of other types of door structures. Any home craftsman who has ever encountered the installation of doors can cope with this.

If you are not sure of your capabilities, then it is better to entrust the installation of the door to professionals.

The following tools are required for installation:

• drill;
• screwdriver;
• building level;
• dowels and screws;
• wooden wedges and spacers;
• polyurethane foam;
• nails with small heads.

Installation process:

1. Install the finished box in the opening.

   

   A gap of 2-3 cm is required between the box and the wall for mounting foam

2. Secure the structure with wooden wedges.

   

   Wooden wedges can be made by yourself from unnecessary wood blocks

3. Check the levelness of the installation using a spirit level.

   

   Align the door frame horizontally and vertically by applying a level

4. If there are no problems with evenness, fix the box in the wall using dowels and self-tapping screws.

   

   There can be 6-8 fasteners on each side

5. Install the hinges on the frame and on the door leaf, if they are not installed.

   

   The hinges must be installed so that the door leaf can be put on the hinges from above

6. Hang the door onto the hinges in the door frame.

   

   The door should not open or close on its own - this is a sign of incorrect installation

7. Place spacers in the box to avoid deforming it during further steps.

8. Fix the box in the opening using polyurethane foam.

   

   Keep in mind that the foam will increase in size as it dries, so fill the vertical seam from below by one third of the total volume.

9. Check the structure for evenness again.
10. If everything is in order, then let the polyurethane foam dry (2-4 hours).
11. When the foam dries, remove the spacers.
12. Check if the door closes and opens easily.

13. After making sure everything is in order, secure the door trims. Use nails with invisible heads for this.

    

    It is important that the nail goes into the timber of the block to be faced with minimal damage.

Video: do it yourself MDF door

Repair and restoration of MDF doors

Even if you take good care of the door and take care of it properly, sooner or later, scratches, chips or even breakdowns may form on the canvas. There are two options for solving this problem: you can replace the door leaf with a new one, or try to restore the defects that have appeared. The second option seems to many to be less expensive, and therefore more attractive.

If a hole has formed in your door - do not despair, it can be repaired in a fairly affordable way

Sealing the hole in the door

A hole in the MDF door leaf can be formed by a strong blow with a fist or a heavy object. It is difficult to repair such a defect, but it is possible. For this you will need:

• paper;
• sandpaper;
• epoxy or polyester resin (available from your auto shop);
• putty for wood;
• putty knife;
• primer for wooden surfaces;
• polyurethane foam;
• varnish for coating;
• brush.

The restoration work proceeds as follows:

1. Cut out a rectangular or square hole at the breakdown site in the door.
2. Place paper inside the hole. Newspapers can be used.
3. Pour polyurethane foam into the hole and wait until it dries (2-3 hours). Next, cut off the excess foam.
4. Then cover the hole with resin to increase the surface strength.
5. After the resin has hardened, apply a layer of putty on it.
6. Grind the dried surface with sandpaper until it becomes even.
7. Apply several coats of primer.
8. After drying, cover the surface with varnish.

In order not to damage the skin of the hands, it is recommended to restore the door leaf with rubber gloves.

Eliminate other defects

Small scratches on the door spoil its appearance no less than holes. To eliminate them, you need to purchase a putty or wax crayon to match the color of the door leaf. Scratches should be covered with these products and wiped with a piece of felt.

To fix a scratch, it is very important to choose the right color.

If your door is decorated with glass inserts and one of them is broken, then it can be easily replaced. In this case, the restoration depends on how the glass is fixed in the door.

1. Glued glass. To replace it, you need to carefully remove the fragments, pick up a new glass of the required size and glue it into the opening using silicone glue.
2. Glass, fixed with slats or glazing beads. To install a new glass, we remove the slats and fragments, insert a new glass and fix it with the same slats, which are fixed either with glue or with small nails.
3. Glass inserted into the door leaf. If you are the owner of a paneled door, then the glass in it will be inserted directly into the canvas. To replace the glass surface, you will have to completely disassemble the door, replace the broken insert and put everything back together. During assembly, care must be taken to ensure that the door is not skewed, which will lead to loss of functionality. It is better to entrust the replacement of glass in a paneled door to professionals.

Glass can be accidentally shattered, impairing the appearance and making the door unsafe to operate

Video: how to replace glass in a non-separable door

Caring for MDF doors

Caring for MDF doors is quite simple. To remove dust and dirt, just wipe the door surface with a damp cloth and soapy water. After that, be sure to wipe the surface dry.

Do not clean the door with powder products, acetone or solvents. They damage and corrode the surface. In addition, such products can enter into chemical reactions with MDF, which leads to inevitable damage to the wood.

You can use dish detergent diluted with water to remove grease. Do not forget to wipe the surface with a dry cloth after removing any dirt.

To prevent streaks on the door, after washing it must be wiped with a dry cloth

Laminated MDF doors can be wiped with an alcohol solution: to prepare it, mix alcohol and water in a ratio of 1:10, respectively.

Glass inserts in the doors are cleaned of dirt with a cloth with special means for glass, while the cloth should be soft. You can also use wet wipes to clean glass surfaces.

Maintenance is required not only for the door leaf, but also for the door hardware. Timely lubrication of hinges and locks will significantly extend their service life. To process the hinges, you need to slightly raise the door leaf and pour machine oil into the pin of each hinge. The door is then returned to its place and opened and closed several times. This will allow the oil to spread evenly over the entire loop.

Hinges can be lubricated with WD-40

Door locks are lubricated with the same agent, but using a syringe or pipette. For the convenience of handling a door lock, you can buy a spray agent or a bottle with a special dispenser.

Locks need to be lubricated every 6-8 months

To keep the door handles looking new, they should also be cleaned of dirt. To do this, use a dry cloth or moistened with soapy water. Detergents and abrasive powders are best avoided.

MDF doors do not require special care and special products. This quality makes them even more attractive to buyers.

Reviews of MDF doors

Due to the positive characteristics and low cost, MDF panel doors are the sales leaders on the Russian market. Such doors can be installed in any room, and thanks to the huge selection of MDF doors, they will perfectly fit into any interior style and will delight the owners with excellent functionality and a decent appearance.