Can HDF withstand water?

If being used for furniture items that need to be frequently dismantled/reassembled, it may not be your best choice. MDF/HDF cannot come into contact with water, as it will make the fibers swell and damage is very hard to repair.

forestplywood.com - MDF vs HDF Wood: Differences and Uses - Forest Plywood California

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MDF and HDF – or medium-density fiberboard and high-density fiberboard – are two of the trendiest materials in woodworking these days. They’re both engineered by combining wood fiber and glue under immense pressure and heat, and are a suitable alternative to real wood. The recycled nature of their construction makes them environmentally friendly, and the pressure used to create them makes them highly durable. But they carry vastly different price tags, with HDF costing a good deal more than its less dense sibling. So what sets them apart?

What’s the Difference?

It’s tempting to assume that higher density means HDF is always the better choice, but the price isn’t the only thing that differentiates it from the much cheaper MDF. Due to its higher density, HDF is much thinner – and therefore not suitable for creating pieces such as interior moldings or skirting boards. While neither version does well around water, HDF is more water-resistant than MDF, and its density does also make it stronger. MDF, on the other hand, is much more suitable for furniture and decorative pieces. It’s highly affordable, and has a smooth surface that lends itself well to being painted. Using veneer on MDF can also create the illusion of solid wood. While it’s not as strong as HDF, it’s still a very durable material that won’t expand or contract with heat and humidity. There are various kinds of MDF, such as bendy or ultralite, and each are best suited to specific purposes.

Best Uses for MDF vs HDF

MDF, the lighter and more versatile of the two wood product options, is best used for:

Furniture

Flooring in bathrooms or washrooms

Cabinets or shelves

Decorative items

HDF, the stronger and more expensive option, should be reserved for projects such as:

High-use furniture

Laminate flooring

Door skins

Backing panels

Things to Note

Fiberboard has a number of benefits, such as being pest-resistant and easy to work with. There are a number of characteristics you should note, though, before choosing to purchase any amount of MDF or HDF for your project. MDF/HDF does not have good holding strength when compared to real wood. If being used for furniture items that need to be frequently dismantled/reassembled, it may not be your best choice. MDF/HDF cannot come into contact with water, as it will make the fibers swell and damage is very hard to repair. Do not use for outdoor projects. Because of the formaldehyde used in their construction, MDF and HDF are less child-friendly than real wood or other wood alternatives. While there are restrictions on formaldehyde amount and the risk of out-gassing is lower with HDF, it is still a risk.

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Is plywood stronger than HDF?

Even though, it would seem that a plywood core would be the better choice, the HDF core is harder, more stable and more moisture resistant, due to its Janka hardness rating of 1700.

woodwudy.com - HDF vs. Plywood Core- What is engineered hardwood

The flooring itself is beautiful. Mostly shorter pieces with lots of color variations. Goes in well. I ordered two stair nose pieces but they did not match AT ALL. I sent pictures to Woodwoody but the representatives said they could not offer me a refund or do anything to help me. I was stuck with a couple hundred dollars in stair nose pieces I was unable to use. My total order was $10,000 and they still would not refund me a couple hundred dollars. Luckily, my contractor found a couple bigger pieces and had them routered to use as stair nose. Hope this helps someone.

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