MDF / Moisture-Resistant MDF

1. WHAT IS MDF WOOD?

MDF wood (Medium Density Fiberboard), also known as medium-density fiberboard, is a type of engineered wood made from natural wood fibers pressed under high pressure. MDF boards have a uniform structure, smooth surface, and can be easily cut to required sizes and crafted into various designs.

This material is widely used in the interior field thanks to its outstanding advantages: durable, stable, easy to process, and much more affordable than natural wood.

At Phuc My Gia, MDF furniture is further coated with surface layers such as melamine, PET, PETG, etc., enhancing aesthetics while improving scratch resistance, moisture resistance, termite resistance, and easy cleaning. It fits a wide range of design styles, from modern to premium.

2. STRUCTURE OF MDF

MDF boards are formed from a combination of various raw materials and compounds, through multiple technical processes to ensure uniform quality, stable physical properties, and suitability for diverse interior applications, while also being safe for users’ health. The main components include:

• Refined wood fibers: The primary material of MDF comes from leftover wood, branches, sawdust… These are cut, ground, and cleaned to create fine wood fibers, ensuring uniformity and board durability.

• Adhesives (industrial resin): After cleaning, the fibers are mixed with specialized adhesives to form strong bonding. Low-formaldehyde resin is used, meeting the E1 standard according to international regulations. This minimizes formaldehyde emissions during usage, ensuring a safe indoor environment, which is especially important for closed spaces like homes, schools, offices, or healthcare facilities.

• Additives: To improve product quality, manufacturers may add specialized additives such as moisture-resistant and waterproofing agents, fire-retardant agents, anti-mold and antibacterial agents, and industrial dyes to adjust the color of moisture-resistant MDF.

All these components are treated and pressed under high temperature and pressure to create a finished MDF board with a smooth surface, easy processing, and meeting various standards in the furniture and construction industries.

3. TYPES OF MDF

MDF is one of the most widely used engineered wood materials in interior design and construction. Depending on technical properties and usage environments, MDF is divided into two main types: standard MDF and moisture-resistant MDF (green core).

STANDARD MDF

Standard MDF is made from wood fibers bonded with adhesives to form MDF core boards. Standard MDF usually has a light yellow or light brown core, smooth surface, and can be easily coated with decorative layers. It is highly appreciated for its durability, low production cost, easy processing, and suitability for diverse interior designs.

It is particularly popular in the production of cabinets, tables, chairs, or decorative interior details in dry environments such as living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Thanks to its stability and affordability, standard MDF is an ideal choice for projects not requiring high moisture resistance.

MOISTURE-RESISTANT MDF (GREEN CORE MDF)

Moisture-resistant MDF (also called green core MDF) is an upgraded version of standard MDF with added moisture-resistant additives. To distinguish it, manufacturers often add a green tint to the core of this type of MDF.

Its key advantages are better resistance to moisture, mold, and termites compared to standard MDF. It also has improved elasticity and stability, reducing cracking or warping under sudden temperature changes. Therefore, this type is commonly used in high-humidity areas such as kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, partitions in bathrooms, and even some semi-outdoor applications with roofing.

4. TYPES OF DECORATIVE SURFACES FOR MDF WOOD

Beyond its solid structure and versatile applications, MDF wood stands out thanks to its compatibility with a wide variety of decorative surface finishes. Depending on usage needs and design styles, each surface type delivers unique aesthetics—from modern, minimalist to luxurious and elegant.

MELAMINE – MODERN, COLORFUL

Melamine is a synthetic resin layer pressed directly onto the MDF surface, enhancing durability and aesthetics. It is a popular choice for home interiors, offices, and commercial projects.

• Rich patterns: from neutral solid colors, natural wood grains, luxurious stone veins to elegant fabric textures.

• Improved scratch resistance, moisture resistance, termite resistance, and easy cleaning.

• Widely applied in designs such as TV cabinets, wardrobes, bookshelves, work desks, beds…

• Safe for health and eco-friendly.

PET – GLOSSY, MATTE ELEGANCE & MODERN METALLIC

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a premium surface finish material, offering glossy mirror-like surfaces, refined matte effects, and luxurious metallic touches, strongly reflecting modern design. Suitable for styles like Minimalist, Scandinavian, high-tech, luxury, or industrial.

• Glossy PET: mirror-like reflection, high gloss, excellent light reflection, creating spacious and airy interiors.

• Matte PET: fingerprint-resistant, light scratch-resistant, pleasant touch.

• Metallic PET: luxurious metallic shimmer with glitter or brushed effects, showcasing a technological impression.

PET surfaces are widely applied to kitchen cabinet fronts, wardrobe doors, wall cladding, reception counters, partitions, etc., especially in high-end apartments, showrooms, or modern offices.

PETG – PREMIUM MARBLE EFFECT

PETG is an upgraded version of PET, featuring highly refined marble-like surfaces that are extremely realistic and luxurious, resembling natural stone but much lighter and easier to install. It is an ideal choice for luxury interiors, blending modern and classic styles.

• Premium glossy surface with vivid stone veins such as cloud veins, lightning veins, wave patterns…

• Scratch-resistant, yellowing-proof, non-fading over time.

• High flexibility, easy bending without cracking.

• Lightweight, quick installation.

• Perfect for luxurious spaces such as living rooms, showrooms, spas… or modern-classic villas.

5. MDF E1 STANDARD – A SAFE SOLUTION FOR LIVING SPACES

When choosing interior materials, health safety is always the top priority, especially for daily living and working environments. MDF boards meeting the E1 standard have low formaldehyde emissions, within safe limits set by European health and environmental organizations, ensuring safety for users, especially children and the elderly.

The E1 standard is a European regulation (EN 717-1) on formaldehyde emission levels in engineered wood products:

• E1: Formaldehyde emission ≤ 0.124 mg/m³ – considered safe for indoor air quality.

• This level is permitted for use in home interiors, schools, hospitals, and offices without affecting health.

Compared to conventional MDF boards, E1 standard MDF undergoes stricter production processes, using low-formaldehyde or bio-based adhesives, minimizing toxic emissions during usage.

6. APPLICATIONS OF MDF WOOD

Thanks to its stability, easy surface treatment, and reasonable cost, MDF is increasingly popular in modern interior design. Common applications include:

HOME INTERIORS

In home interiors, MDF is favored for its flexibility between standard MDF and moisture-resistant MDF depending on the usage area.

• Kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets: Moisture-resistant MDF is commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms thanks to its moisture-proof and mold-resistant properties.

• Storage systems: Standard MDF with diverse colors and patterns makes wardrobes, TV cabinets, wine cabinets… standout features in apartments.

• Tables and chairs: MDF is used to make dining tables, desks, sofas, TV stands…

• Beds: With solid structure and decorative surface options, MDF is widely used for modern bedroom designs such as beds, headboards, and bedside tables.

OFFICE INTERIORS

With advantages in mass production, cost efficiency, and flexible styles, MDF is highly popular in office furniture:

• Storage systems: MDF ensures uniformity in style and color, suitable for shelves, display cabinets, filing cabinets…

• Desks: MDF combined with premium surface finishes enhances desks, meeting tables, executive desks… adding professionalism and aesthetics to workspaces.

COMMERCIAL INTERIORS

For commercial projects, MDF furniture helps reduce costs while maintaining necessary durability and aesthetics:

• Restaurants and hotels: MDF is used for dining tables, bars, display cabinets… thanks to its diverse surface finishes, creating a unique brand identity.

• Stores and showrooms: MDF is used for display racks, cashier counters… lightweight and easily adjustable for seasonal layouts or new collections.

7. PHUC MY GIA – SUPPLIER OF MDF FURNITURE MEETING E1 STANDARD

At Phuc My Gia, we are committed to providing MDF furniture products that meet the E1 standard, ensuring durability, aesthetics, and health safety. From kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, tables, chairs to decorative panels, all use high-quality MDF materials with certified low formaldehyde emissions according to European standards.

With years of experience in interior design and a professional construction team, Phuc My Gia not only delivers optimal design solutions but also ensures every completed product is durable – safe – eco-friendly.

👉 Contact Phuc My Gia now for free consultation, the best price quotes, and free MDF furniture design!