Everything You Need to Know About HDF
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Everything You Need to Know About HDF
If you’re looking for economical and sustainable alternatives to using wood or plywood in your home, fiberboards are a popular option. HDF(high-density fiberboard) or MDF(medium-density fiberboard) are composite boards that are used in woodworking to make cabinetry, wall panels, shelving, and furniture. They can be pasted with veneers or laminates on one or both sides or can be finished with paint.
HDF is an engineered wood product that is manufactured by hot pressing wood fibers that are extracted from waste chips or wood pulp, and binding them into a board at very high pressure using synthetic resins and binders.
Features of High-Density Fiberboard HDF
- Like MDF, HDF also does not have any grains in cross-section, as it is a composite material with uniform density. However, it is more compact than MDF and is a correspondingly thinner and denser material.
- As the name indicates, HDF is highly dense which makes it very thin. It is, therefore, not suitable for making grooves or mouldings.
- Since it is manufactured using waste products like sawdust and wood fibers, it can be considered to be ‘green’ or environmentally friendly. But do watch out for toxic gas emissions due to the formaldehyde used in its binding material.
- HDF does not contract or expand with heat and is therefore dimensionally stable.
- It can be finished using veneers, laminates or paint.
- It will swell when exposed to water and should be finished by completely covering all exposed surfaces.
- HDF is much more economical than plywood or solid wood but is more expensive than MDF.
HDF vs MDF
Wondering how HDF differs from MDF? The following table compares and contrasts the two boards.
|
Features |
HDF |
MDF |
|
Density |
Over 800 kg/cubic m, and up to 900 kg/cubic m |
Standard grade MDF has a density of 600-800 kg/cubic m |
|
Hardness |
Harder than MDF |
Less hard than HDF but harder than particleboard |
|
Surface finishing |
Smooth and uniform surface |
Smooth and uniform surface |
|
Workability |
Not as easy to route and plane as MDF |
Easy to cut into shapes, smoother and plane |
|
Cost |
More expensive than MDF |
Cheaper than HDF |
|
Use |
Indoor furniture, floors, wall panelling, doors. Not suitable for exterior use. |
Furniture that has grooves and mouldings, cornices, cabinetry |
|
Thickness |
As it is denser, HDF is typically thinner than MDF. This makes it unsuitable for making mouldings and skirting boards. |
Available in various thicknesses. |
|
Nail holding capacity |
Better than MDF |
Does not have very good nail/screw holding capacity |
|
Resistance to water or humidity |
If finished on all sides with edging, can resist water or humidity. Never expose directly to water as it will swell up. Slightly more water-resistant than MDF. |
If finished on all sides with edging, can resist water or humidity. Never expose directly to water as it will swell up. |
|
Finishing |
Finish with veneer, laminate or paint |
Finish with veneer, laminate or paint |
|
Environmental aspects |
Contain formaldehyde and other resins and binders, and come with a risk of harmful out-gassing. |
Contain formaldehyde and other resins and binders, and come with a risk of harmful out-gassing. |
As you can see, the two boards are similar in composition, with the main difference being in their density and thickness.
HDF in Home Interiors: How is it Used?
Flooring substrate
HDF is the preferred substrate for laminated wood flooring as it is hard and strong. As we have already mentioned, all the surfaces of the board should be finished well and the core should never be left exposed, as even a little moisture that enters will cause it to swell, causing the flooring boards to pop out of alignment. This is why wooden laminate floors should never be mopped with too much water and should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Kitchen Cabinets
HDF, like MDF, is a good choice for the core of kitchen cabinets. When finished well with no exposed surfaces, it stands up well to changes in heat and is able to withstand humidity. Shutters are popularly finished with decorative membranes, matt or glossy laminate and edge band tape. A membrane is a very thin foil that is hot-pressed onto all the surfaces of the shutter, creating a completely sealed and seamless finish that is durable and aesthetic.
HDF is also a good choice for the framework, boxes, shutters and internal shelves of fitted wardrobes. Similar to kitchen cabinets, the shutters can be finished in many different ways to give a traditional, classic or contemporary appearance. HDF shutters can also be fitted with mirrors on the surface to visually enhance the space and make it look larger.
Wall Panelling
Veneered and grooved HDF panels can be used to create decorative wall panelling. They can be used as a backing for wall murals or in partition walls.
HDF is very dense and has acoustic soundproofing properties, making it the ideal choice of material for use in home theatres and music rooms.
HDF Wall Shelves
Open shelves in kitchens or living rooms, bookshelves in reading rooms or shelves in laundry and utility area can all be crafted out of HDF. As this board is stronger and denser than MDF, it has a significantly greater load-bearing capability.
As you can see, HDF can be used as a substitute for MDF, in places that require more strength and bearing capacity, and comparatively higher performance.
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