MDF is a man-made engineered product with minimal natural timber features that cause surface imperfections. 

MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is an engineered composite of sawdust, wood shavings, small wood chips and resin that is compressed together to form lengths suitable for manufacturing into skirting boards, architraves and other timber mouldings. 

Primed MDF Mouldings is factory pre-primed with two coats of a specially developed water-based primer.  To seal the entire surface to give it the best protection from moisture absorption possible. 

Advantages: 

• Cheaper option 
• High face strength gives it more strength against surface damage 
• MDF has a smooth surface finish giving a flawless look once sanded and painted and less chance of visible voids or splinters 

Disadvantages:  

• Its high strength can make it difficult to nail by hand 
• Edge strength is lower, so outside mitre cuts must be handled with care both during installation and when installed as tends to split if fixed through the edge. 
• As MDF is a manmade product with no natural timber grain, nails can find it difficult to ‘grab’ and screws can easily strip, making it easier to remove from a wall surface. For best installation results, it is important to use an MDF adhesive. 
• Heavy and ‘floppy’, making large lengths difficult for one person to handle during installation. 
• Long lengths are more prone to breaking than finger-jointed pieces due to the larger ‘flex’ in the material 
• Will swell creating warping and bubbling if it absorbs moisture, which is likely to happen over time. It is important to have the entire moulding pre-primed (including the back face) and to ensure it is not used in wet areas or those which may be exposed to moisture through floor mopping or steam cleaning. It is also not recommended for use in tropical and high humidity climates for this reason. 
• If you’re looking for a natural timber look, it cannot be stained 
• Although MDF is stronger, if dents or marks are made, it is more difficult to repair 

MDF has its advantages including high face strength that helps it stand up to surface damage. The smooth surface finish gives it a flawless look once sanded and painted.  

No MDF should never be used outside.  

No, It is a fairly stable material. Minimum grain structure to it compared to pine.  

Yes MDF is safe to use in-house and meets MDF product guidelines. However, would not recommend breathing in sawdust but that goes for all timber. Day-to-day use in-house for customers is perfectly fine as long as it isn’t damaged. Our MDF is one of the safest on the market, but as it is a man-made product, it still comes with some risks. 

Our supplier notes on their ‘Material Safety Data Sheet’ that their MDF product: 

• Has a low to moderate toxicity. 
• Eye and skin contact, as well as inhalation, needs to be avoided as this may cause irritation, particularly from dust generated when sanding, cutting or drilling the MDF. 
• The bond used is formaldehyde-based (classified and confirmed as an IARC Group 1 human carcinogen) and may be released during machining and cutting. 
• Wood dust is also classified as a confirmed human carcinogen (IARC Group 1). 
• Small quantities of formaldehyde may be released in gaseous form over time. 

• If heated, over-exposure to fumes may result in irritation of the nose and throat, nausea and/or headache. 
• Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure the product does not enter the environment. 

Our FR MDF skirting board meets the AS1530.4-2014 standard and is considered fire-rated meeting the requirements for BCA fire compliance. 

Yes. MDF swells if it absorbs moisture; therefore it is not recommended for use in tropical and high humidity climates.  

We understand that you’re rarely going to be in the situation where your floor will be covered with water but think about the amount of water that may run under your skirting boards from your mop or steamer over the course of a year, how much water gets splashed over the floor in a bathroom (if you have skirting in your wet areas). The effects won’t happen as quickly as in our video, but over time the result will be the same. 

Paint will protect your MDF and significantly reduce the incident of moisture absorption, but this needs to be on all surfaces, including the ones you can’t see! This is why we ALWAYS recommend having your MDF mouldings primed to protect all surfaces from water absorption and humidity, or offer FJ pine timber as the ultimate protection against moisture damage to your mouldings. 

No.

Without a doubt, finger-jointed pine is a superior material for timber mouldings profiles. It is always our top pick and typically the tradesman’s choice. You may not have an immediate saving on your initial purchase when choosing finger jointed pine mouldings, but their ease of installation and longevity and durability, will reduce your risk of early replacement and save you money in the long term. 

Interior trim, mouldings, furniture, kitchen cabinets etc.  

Generally speaking MDF raw is cheaper than FJ Pine raw but MDF primed is more expensive than primed FJ pine but it depends on the material. Look at the price guide.