Particle Board vs. MDF

While particle board might have been the go-to substrate for furniture back in the 1970s, times have certainly changed. Despite the once-popular material’s reputation – there are several noteworthy issues associated with this engineered wood product. Overall, the material tends to absorb moisture, swell, expand and warps, none of which are positives. Fortunately, these issues can be easily avoided by choosing to work with a more durable, premium wood – MDF. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) has been around for 25 years, but despite having been an option for nearly three decades, most people still don’t recognize its superiority. 

For only a 10-15 percent increase in cost, consumers can acquire, “the best substrate to use for residential and commercial projects,” says Tom Choppin, Gator Millworks’s Chief Growth Officer. Unlike particle board and plywood (the biggest substitute to MDF), MDF has the ability to remain straight and un-warped when dealing with moisture. In addition to its sturdy structure, MDF is a tighter wood that works better with a machine and finishes better overall. These benefits give this wood a premium status – a status that makes it the only choice for AWI-Certified projects that require the highest grade of woodwork. 

At Gator Millworks, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality products and services to our customers. We are committed to you, and our knowledge and understanding of different materials in the market is only one way we show it.