Of everything around us, maybe 50-60 percent of things use wood. Woods is very important. It is very useful in everything around us whether it is the kitchen, entertainment, flow, etc.
Whenever we want to do woodwork in our home, we want to do our best work. Today two such wooden boards in the world are very prestigious, one is MDF, and the other is WPC.
Key Takeaways
- MDF is denser and stronger than WPC.
- WPC is more resistant to water and moisture than MDF.
- MDF is more cost-effective than WPC, but WPC is more durable.
MDF vs WPC
MDF, is made from wood fibers, resin, and wax, compressed under high pressure and temperature to create a smooth, uniform board. It is a material used in furniture, cabinetry, etc. WPC is a combination of wood fibers and plastic used in outdoor decking due to its resistance to moisture.
MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is considered to be much heavier than plywood. MDF is a product that is manufactured out of woods.
For manufacturing Medium Density Fiberboard, the breakdown of residuals of softwood and hardwood takes place which further converts into fibers of woods.
WPC stands for Wood Plastic Composites. Wood-Plastic Composites can be understood or defined as composite substances which are manufactured of wood flour/wood fiber and thermoplastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polythene (PE), or polylactic acid (PLA).
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | MDF | WPC |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | MDF boards are considered to be less efficient than WPC boards. | WPC boards are considered to be more efficient than MDF boards |
| Used in | MDF is extensively used in the making of furniture, kitchen cabinets, etc. | WPC is widely used in developing deck floors outside the house. |
| Lamination | In MDF, lamination is considered to be a crucial part. | In WPC, lamination is not a crucial part. |
| Types | MDF includes Ultralight MDF plate, fire radiant, and moisture-resistant board as its types. | WPC has no types. |
| Application of paint | Paint can be applied directly to the surface of MDF. | You need to apply putty first on the edges of WPCs and then apply the paint. |
What is MDF?
MDF is constituted by numerous fibers, however, can be utilized as construction material. It is considered to be much more powerful and heavier than particle board.
In the 1980s, in North America and Europe, the massive manufacturing of MDF took place. MDF is constituted of numerous substances such as fiber of woods, water, wax, etc.
In the process of cutting, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) does not accommodate rings or knots as it makes it more steady as compared to natural woods.
For any fiberboard which has been dry-processed a generic name has emerged over time and this is Medium Density Fiberboard. MDF can be damaged easily.
The surface of MDF is super smooth which makes it a great base for painting. Medium Density Fiberboard has smooth edges which makes the board easy to cut and sculpt designs from it easily.
MDF might soak liquids and swell, if not sealed well, which adds up to its disadvantages. MDF does not make a firm grip with screws as it is constituted with the finest fibers.
If not handled with care, MDF might sag. If MDF is put under pressure then it might break into pieces. MDF is fire resistant.
What is WPC?
Wood-Plastic Composites may also accommodate various inorganic filler substances or lingo-cellulose, in addition to wood plastic and wood fiber.
Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) are subdivisions of a huge classification of substances NFPC, also known as Natural Fiber Plastic Composites.
Cellulose-based fiber filler like pulp fiber, coffee husk, bamboo, straw, etc. may not be included. WPCs are also known as Composite Timber, whose history dates back to a long time back.
The WPCs are extensively used in making the deck floors in North America; however, the use of WPCs also takes place in fences, timbers, cladding, railings, sliding, etc. The first use of WPC came into name in the early 1990s.
It is claimed by the producers that WPCs are much more environmentally friendly and need minimal maintenance as compared to other solid woods.
The manufacturing of WPCs takes place by blending particles of groundwood and heated thermoplastic resin. The process of corroding does not take place in WPCs. WPCs are considered to be resistant to decay, rot, etc.
Standard tools can be utilized for shaping WPCs can be easily modified into new shapes.
Main Differences Between MDF and WPC
- MDF boards swell if water or any liquid seeps into them whereas WPC boards are waterproof.
- MDF boards can last up to 10 years whereas WPC boards can last up to 50 years.
- MDF boards cannot be effortlesly transformed into various shapes whereas WPC boards can be easily transformed into various shapes.
- Harmful chemicals and substances might be used in the manufacturing of MDF whereas no chemical and harmful substances are used in the manufacturing of WPCs.
- MDF boards are considerd to be less budget-friendly whereas WPC boards are considerd to be more budget-friendly.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669008000095
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/pubs/31179
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
