Decorating walls with MDF panels has recently become increasingly popular, due to the fact that with their help you can quickly tidy up surfaces of a fairly large area. In addition, installation of the panels will not take much time, since you will not have to wait for numerous layers to dry, as, for example, in the case of plastering work. It also helps that the surface leveled by them does not require any additional finishing, as is the case with drywall. Another advantage of this material can be called quite affordable price on him.
Do-it-yourself MDF wall panels, which can be carried out even if there is absolutely no experience in this work, are installed quite simply. The main thing is to understand the principle of carrying out such cladding, prepare the surfaces and pay attention to Special attention accurate calculations and markings.
The abbreviation “MDF” stands for finely dispersed fraction, from which this finishing material is produced, including wall panels. The production of MDF involves the process of dry pressing a finely dispersed mass of sawdust and chips, using high temperatures and pressure. To bind the mass, urea resins modified with melamine are added to it, which prevents the evaporation of formaldehyde by chemically binding it (formaldehyde emission class - E1). MDF panels are considered an environmentally friendly material, so they are not prohibited from being used for interior decoration. The principle of installing panels is similar to installing natural wood, but they have more low price than the last one.
Installation of MDF wall panels can be carried out in two ways - by fixing them to a frame sheathing or fixing them to the wall surface using adhesive composition type "liquid nails". This glue is used not only for installing wood products and its products, but also for sealing cracks, since it contains sawdust filler. If filling of defects will be carried out on the remaining visible areas of the wall, then the adhesive mass should be selected according to color so that the repaired areas do not stand out against the general background.
MDF panels are produced in a wide variety of shades and can have a textured micro-relief pattern that imitates various types of wood or stone, so they can be matched to any interior design. In addition, the panels are easily combined with each other and can be installed vertically or horizontally, depending on what effect the owners want to achieve.
For example, if the ceiling is too high and makes the room uncomfortable, you can install the panels horizontally, using different shades alternately. If you need to visually raise the wall, then the panels are installed vertically.
The panels are produced in different lengths and widths, so before choosing the color and shape of the material, you need to think about what effect you will need to achieve.
To make your work comfortable, you need to prepare tools in advance that will speed up installation. finishing material, making it as simple as possible. So, the tools you will need are:
For MDF installation Certain auxiliary materials will be required. Moreover, the purchase of some of them will depend on the choice of mounting method.
Installation of panels on walls can be done in two ways:
Both methods can be used to install panels both in a private house and in an apartment, but for adhesive installation the basic condition must be met - the wall must be perfectly flat. Therefore, if the panels will stick to the surface, then it must first be leveled with plasterboard or the plaster-putty method.
To install the panels with glue, you will need very few auxiliary materials - this is a composition of “liquid nails” and fittings.
If you need to level an uneven wall using MDF panels, while hiding communications behind it or installing insulation and sound insulation, you will first have to install a frame that will bring the entire future surface into one plane.
The frame for installing panels can be made of wooden beam or metal profile. It must be said that MDF fastening It is easier to carry out on wooden material, since nails or even staplers are suitable for this. When installing panels on a metal profile, metal screws will be needed, and in this case it will no longer be possible to do without them.
When using a frame, a gap will inevitably form between the main wall and the cladding, in which there will be no ventilation air circulation - such conditions are very “attractive” for mold and mildew. Therefore, before installing the sheathing, it is necessary to inspect the wall. If it is wet, it will first need to be dried and then treated with special antiseptic compounds. It is still better not to install such cladding on external thin walls at all, as it will quickly become unusable, and in addition, an unfavorable microclimate will be created in the room over time, which can cause allergic reactions in residents.
To install the facing panels on the frame, you will need the following materials:
Surface preparation can only be carried out if it is dry. If you find signs of high humidity on it, you must first determine the cause of this phenomenon and then try to eliminate it. There is no way to cover a damp wall with any panels.
If there are no such obstacles to the installation of MDF panels, then how to frame system, and for gluing, approximately the same preparation of the wall surface is carried out. It consists of several operations:
If the wall is covered with wallpaper, then it must be completely removed, otherwise in a closed space it can become a breeding ground for mold or even insects. High-quality wallpaper that is difficult to remove must first be wetted with water or steamed with an iron, and then scraped off with a spatula. Sometimes you have to resort to using special compounds for.
If the wall is plastered and whitewashed, or well-painted water-based paint, then cleaning it is not necessary.
In the case where there are mold stains on the wall, the surface must be “treated” - treated with a special “Anti-Mold” compound or with a regular concentrated laundry bleaching agent “Whiteness”. Before treatment, it is recommended to clean the surface to the maximum possible depth with a spatula. When the applied composition is absorbed and dried, the wall must be cleaned again with a spatula, and then the treatment must be repeated. It is advisable to clean the area affected by the fungus down to the base, that is, remove the plaster in this place completely and thoroughly treat the main wall itself.
“Treatment” of affected areas of the wall with antiseptic compounds This work should be carried out in compliance with mandatory safety measures, wearing a respirator or a special mask, in order to avoid inhaling particles of fungus-affected plaster.
If, after removing wallpaper or “weak” plaster, cracks are found on the wall, it is recommended to repair them, especially when planning to place heat- and sound-insulating materials under MDF panels. Cracks must be sealed so that they do not become bridges of cold, and also a place where dampness accumulates, various insects or even mold can find shelter.
The cracks are first cut in breadth and depth, ... In order for the putty or plaster solution to adhere well to the gap in the crack, it needs to be slightly widened and deepened. Then it is cleaned of the remnants of old plaster and processed using a brush.
... and then tightly filled with repair mortar After the primer has dried, the cracks are sealed with putty mixture or plaster mortar. In this case, it is necessary to try to ensure that the expanded gap is filled to its entire depth.
The next step is priming the entire surface of the walls. Moreover, it is necessary to choose a primer composition containing antiseptic components that will resist the occurrence and development of mold, as well as other manifestations harmful to humans.
Mandatory operation - thorough priming of the entire surface of the wall If you plan to sheathe wooden walls, it is recommended to choose a primer that contains not only antiseptics, but also fire retardants - they will increase the fire resistance of the wood.
The primer is applied to the wall using a roller in two or three layers, each of which must dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Next, if the panels will be attached to the sheathing, you can proceed to gluing the insulating material. Penofol, which is glued to a primed surface, is well suited for this purpose.
The most convenient to use is penofol with a self-adhesive base. Today you can find self-adhesive “penofol” on sale - you can very easily fix it on the wall with foil towards the room by removing the protective film backing. If such material is not found, then ordinary “penofol” is purchased. It is cut to the height of the wall and glued to Teploflex glue, applied in an even layer to the wall surface or directly to the insulation. The “penofol” sheets are pressed to the surface, and the air is expelled from under it using a rubber spatula.
Gluing the joints of adjacent penofol strips with tape The sheets of material are mounted end-to-end, and then the glue must be allowed to dry, after which the joints are sealed with special foil tape.
If you decide to install MDF panels on a frame, you first need to decide how the elements will be installed, vertically or horizontally, since the location of the sheathing guides depends on this factor. For horizontal orientation of the panels, the guide battens are mounted vertically. And vice versa, if the panels are mounted vertically, the frame elements are installed perpendicular to them, horizontally.
The frame is fixed on top of the insulating material. The pitch between the sheathing guides is usually selected within 500÷600 mm from each other, and they must be installed perfectly evenly.
To find the ideal vertical, you need to use a plumb line with a colored cord, with which you can mark straight lines on the wall. If lines are marked on a foil surface, then immediately after marking, each of them is additionally highlighted with a black marker using a ruler.
To determine the horizontal I resort to the help of a level. The most accurate result will be given by laser or water. If there are no such tools, then you can use a regular construction tool, pushing the bubble into the middle with special care. Having outlined the currents, they are also connected by lines using a colored cord.
Based on the markings, it will be quite easy to correctly secure the guide battens.
When marking, you need to take into account that the first frame guide is installed at the junction of two surfaces, that is, in the corner of the room or along the floor surface. The first racks will serve as a reference line for the remaining elements, maintaining the established step.
Wooden blocks, despite the marking lines, are still checked when installed on the wall building level for evenness. Then, they are attached to the wall with dowels, for which holes are drilled directly through the beams into which plastic dowels are driven, after which self-tapping screws are screwed into them (or driven dowel-nails are used). Fastening elements are installed at a distance of 350÷400 mm from each other. The length of the dowels or self-tapping screws is selected so that they extend into the thickness of the wall by at least 50÷60 mm, and the thickness of the sheathing beam is added to this parameter, taking into account that the head of the self-tapping screw is completely recessed into the wood.
It is more difficult to bring all the posts of the sheathing to the same level if the wall requires leveling with sheathing, and the bars themselves will have to be secured to hangers. In this case, the installation of the frame is carried out in the same way for wooden bars and metal profiles.
First, hangers are attached to the wall along the marking lines. I fix them on the wall with two dowels, maintaining a spacing between adjacent ones of 350÷400 mm from each other. The shelves of the hangers are bent perpendicular to the wall surface.
Then the two outermost beams on the wall are installed, leveled and relative to the wall. They are attached on both sides with self-tapping screws to the shelves of the suspensions. The protruding parts of the shelves are bent back towards the wall.
The installed outer guides are connected along the outer edge by stretched cords at the top and bottom (or right and left - if the frame is horizontally oriented) - this will become reference lines (beacons) for the correct installation of the remaining guides in a single plane.
Metal profiles prepared to size are fixed to the wall according to the same principle as wooden blocks, but sometimes, for structural rigidity, timber inserts are made in them. To secure the profile, hangers must be used, even if the wall is perfectly flat and the racks will fit closely to it.
If the frame is mounted on a wooden wall, then the hangers for attaching the sheathing guides are fixed to the wall using wood screws. If installation on another wall base is necessary, then the hangers are best secured with driven dowel-nails.
If the trim is attached to a wall that has a window or doorway, then appropriate guides must be installed along its edge, on which the cladding will first be attached, and subsequently the slopes and trims.
Before installing the cladding, all electrical or other cable communications are carried out and secured under the frame, immediately determining the installation locations of sockets and switches, if they are provided on the wall being finished.
Installation begins with the preparation of MDF panels - they need to be cut to the height or length of the wall. The panels are marked using a tape measure and a construction angle, the corresponding lines are drawn along which the cut is made using a jigsaw, a manual vertical circular saw, or even an ordinary hacksaw.
Horizontal installation of panels is carried out in the direction from floor to ceiling, and the first panel must also be perfectly level. Fastening to the sheathing follows exactly the same principle as with a vertical arrangement.
The socket must be securely fastened and not bend when inserting the plug of electrical appliances. To ensure rigid support against the wall, it is recommended to additionally secure wooden fragments of suitable thickness on the back side. The front part of the socket and switch is screwed onto the facing panels or to the corresponding sockets of the socket box.
It is somewhat easier to install MDF panels with glue than with lathing, but using this method, it will not be possible to install insulation.
When gluing, the position of the panel must be checked by level.
— The glue must remain sufficiently plastic even after its initial hardening, otherwise there is a risk of deformation of the panels. A composition must be selected that will not be affected by humidity and temperature changes.
— The glue must have a sufficiently thick consistency so that it can be applied in a thick or thin layer, depending on the circumstances, and also be evenly distributed over the surface to be glued.
The best option- “liquid nails” glue The “Liquid Nails” composition precisely meets these requirements in terms of basic parameters. The primer with which the walls are treated in advance will create good adhesion for the glue on their surface, so the panels will adhere securely to it.
The adhesive can be applied to the back side of the panels pointwise or in a “snake” pattern. Therefore, in order to speed up the gluing process, the composition is applied immediately to 8 ÷ 10 canvases, which are pressed against the wall and then torn off. Having spread, applied and torn off the last of the 10 panels, they glue the first, second and so on until it comes to the last. When installing the canvases, they need to be pressed very well against the wall surface, and for better fixation, you can even grab each of them with self-tapping screws in two places. They are screwed into the groove of the panel, and then the self-tapping screw is closed with the installed tenon of the next one.
They can be mounted in different ways, depending on the chosen design - glued with the same glue, installed on special fasteners, or screwed with self-tapping screws to the wall surface. Attaching skirting boards to the floor would be a very serious mistake.
Find out how to produce by reading step by step instructions in an article on our portal.
Having become familiar with the technological process of installing MDF panels, we can, summing up, formulate their main positive and negative qualities.
So to merits Such finishing material includes the following qualities:
Disadvantages similar panels The following points can be mentioned:
However, it can be noted that despite the above disadvantages, MDF panels are only gaining popularity and fully compete with. Installation of such cladding can be easily carried out even by one person without outside help, moreover, having absolutely no experience in such work, unless, of course, he follows all technological recommendations.
And in conclusion, a small “visual aid” in the form of a video about the installation of MDF panels:
According to experienced builders, decorating the surface of walls indoors can be done using MDF panels. From the material in our article we will learn what this building material is, get acquainted with its positive and negative qualities, as well as the technology of installing panel structures on an adhesive mixture or a pre-prepared frame.
Among the huge number of building materials, many are interested in wall products. The catalog is literally overflowing with such designs, but MDF wall panels occupy a special place in it. Such products are used as a decorative element when finishing the surface of walls and ceilings. In terms of design features, the described material resembles plastic, which is familiar to many, although the composition of such products includes natural raw materials from waste from the woodworking industry.
MDF panels are very popular precisely because of their similarity to natural and more noble finishing materials. At the same time, the cost of such panels is much lower.
The term MDF itself is literally translated from English as the usual abbreviation of chipboard or chipboard, but differs from its Soviet counterpart in improved technical characteristics. In this case, harmful resins containing phenol are not used to connect raw materials. The binder here is lignin, and in some cases paraffin.
The basic composition of the panel contains wood dust, which was obtained after grinding and processing sawdust. This material is heated in special ovens until the binding substance lignin is released from it. It is with the help of such a component that the raw material mass is glued together. The pressing process gives the product even greater strength. The cooled workpiece needs additional processing; first, the released slab is cut into the required parts, then a melamine film is glued to the surface, which imitates the structure of wood.
In structure, MDF lining resembles an intermediate material between cardboard and plywood sheets. Thanks to these properties, the product can be given the required dimensions using a regular hacksaw for this purpose. The material in question has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, but it also has a drawback - the possibility of damage to the melamine film during operation. After mechanical impact, cracks and scratches appear on the surface of the material, but defective areas can be easily masked using ordinary paint.
A great advantage is the wide choice of shade and texture of panel patterns. In most cases, the pattern imitates different types of wood.
MDF wall panels are manufactured using the same technology, but the surface of such products may have different finishes. In this regard, the materials under consideration can be divided into several varieties:
The products in question can be used for cladding any of the rooms of the apartment with the exception of the bathroom. The surface of such products differs significantly from the unnatural appearance of plastic. The end consumer can choose an acceptable design and size of the product for himself, paying relatively little money for building materials.
Now let’s pay attention to the dimensions of the product:
When choosing decorating elements, you must remember that the thinnest parts have minimal strength indicators, so they are used to decorate walls. Materials with a thickness of more than 1.2 centimeters are often used as additional heat-insulating layer. In terms of properties, such insulation replaces brick wall 15 centimeters thick.
When choosing any building material, users take into account its strengths and weaknesses. First, let's get acquainted with the advantages that wall panels have. These include:
Flaws:
Many homeowners don't know how to attach MDF panels to the wall. In practice, two popular methods are used: securing products to a pre-aligned frame and installing the material on liquid nails or another composition. When choosing one method or another, you need to pay attention to the following:
Now let’s take a closer look at the method of laying MDF boards on a frame. First, you need to make a sheathing for the walls; usually this design is made from a metal profile or a wooden beam of a certain cross-section. When using wood, choose timber square section with a side length of 3 centimeters. Such a product should have a humidity of no more than 15%. The material is additionally treated with an antiseptic and fire retardants, which prevents the process of burning and rotting.
Next, measure the walls with a construction tape. In this case, the length of the bars should be slightly less than the calculated values. When the panels are positioned horizontally, the sheathing is installed in the vertical direction and vice versa. After marking work, the dimensions are transferred to wooden crafts and carry out sawing of the bars. During such operations, the hacksaw should be positioned strictly perpendicular to the surface of the wood, which will prevent the formation of crooked ends.
The guide rails are fixed to the surface using dowels (if the base is brick or concrete) or self-tapping screws (if there is a base wooden surface). After this, insulation boards are laid in the spaces between the sheathing elements, for example, mineral wool. To attach the finishing layer, you can use clamps for MDF panels, as well as self-tapping screws with dimensions of 3 * 20 millimeters, which are screwed into the grooves of products or special nails having a thin cap. At the final stage of work, the connecting strips and external as well as internal corners are secured.
The installation of a metal frame made of profiles is almost no different from the installation of wooden sheathing. To begin with, wall guide elements are installed along the perimeter at the top and bottom of the building. Then the main profile is placed at a distance of 40-50 centimeters from each other. All guide parts are fixed to the wall surface using self-tapping screws and hangers, after which they begin laying the finishing coating.
As we have already said, gluing MDF panels to the base surface is most often used for finishing small rooms with smooth walls. On initial stage works, conduct a thorough examination of the base, identify defective areas and take measures to repair cracks and chips. Sometimes the leveling process takes longer than finishing the wall.
After the surface is leveled and the solution has completely hardened, the surface must be treated with a deep penetration primer. This solution will help increase the strength of the base and increase adhesion to the adhesive mixture. A similar composition is applied to the wall using a paint brush or roller, avoiding smudges. Now you need to cut the MDF panels with a jigsaw or hacksaw into pieces of the required size.
At the next stage of work, mix the required amount of glue and apply the prepared solution to the back surface of the panels. This substance is placed pointwise, and there should be as many places covered with glue as possible. Laying begins from the bottom of the wall.
At this stage, each element must be carefully pressed against the wall and held in this state for several seconds. Similar work continues until the surface is completely covered. At the very end, connecting strips and corners are attached, which are fixed to the surface using the same liquid nails or special glue.
For many developers, the question of the cost of panels remains relevant. The price of the products in question will depend on the popularity of the manufacturer, as well as the overall dimensions of the stove. One of the most popular varieties is considered to be a decorative panel with dimensions of 2.6 * 0.2 meters. The price of such a product in construction stores ranges from 100 to 150 rubles per piece.
Most people are accustomed to the fact that MDF panels are an attribute of decoration for various office premises. And all because they are familiar with almost one of their varieties - lining - slatted panels.
Moreover, not so much with the appearance of the panels themselves, as with the way they are laid: vertically or horizontally, less often - at an angle. Such MDF panels often do not differ in the variety of textures: they are mainly imitation different varieties wood And this is unlikely to be appropriate in most living rooms or bedrooms. Therefore, in our houses and apartments, MDF panels are either used extremely rarely, or are used in hallways and on stairs.
Meanwhile, such discrimination most likely occurs from a lack of information or imagination and design abilities among potential consumers. The video we bring to your attention can radically change the situation.
Options MDF applications panels
Non-trivial approaches to the use of the mentioned slatted MDF panels, plus the use of other forms of this material, can radically change both your attitude towards it and the interior of your home.
We will not describe the material itself much, and we are doing this generally for those who were inspired by the video at the beginning of the article to become more familiar with the material. MDF is wood dust (waste from the woodworking industry) compressed under high pressure. Absolutely harmless materials, most often wax, are used as a binder. This distinguishes the MDF panel from chipboard, OSB, laminate and other products similar in scope, in the manufacture of which phenol-containing adhesive compositions are used.
In appearance and production method, MDF resembles chipboard (chipboard), but has a higher density. Of course, without a decorative coating, this material is unattractive. It is in the types of coatings that the main difference between MDF panels lies. The cheapest varieties have a paper coating with a pattern applied to it, the more expensive ones are covered with wood veneer of various types of wood or laminated, coated with various kinds of polymer compounds, etc.
Slat panels, as a rule, have locks along both sides for mutual joining. Some types of panels are also equipped with a locking part at the ends - for merging panels along the length, but this is rather exclusive.
MDF panels are also produced in the form of square or rectangular tiles. When laid, they resemble tiles.
They look impressive with a successful combination of colors or decorative seams. As a rule, such tiles have a decent thickness. It is the combination of thicknesses, along with color, that will help create a certain 3D effect, which is especially fashionable now.
MDF panels for walls are also available in the form of thin sheet coverings large sizes, resembling laminated fiberboard, but often having a texture that provides a complete visual, and sometimes tactile, imitation of natural materials used in the construction or decoration of walls.
In general, MDF is such a malleable material in terms of texture formation that when using it, you can imitate almost any shape - just remember furniture MDF facades. Paradoxically, they can also be used in wall decoration, imitating their cladding with expensive type-setting panels made of valuable wood. In addition, there is now a great variety of 3D MDF panels on the construction market.
Sometimes, even observing various options for finishing rooms for various purposes, you do not realize that these unusual and beautiful things are made of MDF.
Recently, entire interior elements with special, initially specified characteristics have begun to be made from MDF. For example, such as kitchen aprons. It is clear that these coatings are used under special conditions:
And this is not a complete list of conditions that such a specific MDF panel must meet. But modern polymer materials make it possible to easily implement these requirements.
Installing an MDF apron
Sheet MDF with imitation tiles should also be listed in a separate line. It is clear that such panels have water-repellent properties so that they can be installed in places where natural tiles are usually laid - in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, etc.
With all this, the MDF panel is relatively inexpensive material, in any case, significantly cheaper than those coatings that it imitates so successfully that sometimes even a very picky viewer will not notice the difference.
There are a great many varieties of MDF panels, and there are also a lot of ways to install them on the wall. Let’s begin our consideration and analysis with the most traditional one – laying over wooden (or metal) sheathing.
This method is more often used when the walls are very uneven or the room needs to be soundproofed. Most of the so-called finishers who do not delve into the physical features of the proposed type of work, in the desire for easy additional income, loudly declare the simultaneous insulation of walls with this installation method, but we want to warn you against this rash step. Lay warmly - soundproofing materials under MDF panels it is possible only on interior walls. By insulating the exterior from the inside, you move the dew point inside the room, which often leads to moisture condensation on the inner surface of the wall, with all the ensuing negative consequences for the wall itself, and for the same MDF panels (if they are not moisture resistant), and for insulation, and for your health in the long run.
As for the installation itself on the lathing, it is important to follow a few simple rules:
Despite the versatility of MDF corners that come with MDF slatted systems, we recommend using plastic ones, which are attached to the same liquid nails. Remember that the “native” corners are the most vulnerable element of the entire MDF slatted system in terms of damage.
Review of MDF panels and corners
An interesting option for installing MDF panels would be the use of quick-installation plastic guides for PVC panels.
You can also use accessories from plastic wall panels of appropriate thicknesses and colors or special aluminum profiles.
The use of such accessories will be especially interesting when decorating walls with MDF tiles.
The abundance of colors and textures produced today plastic skirting boards, also allows you to simply and tastefully decorate walls made of MDF panels. The use of wooden accessories in the design of joints between planes of MDF panels is also quite interesting.
We don’t see any particular need to separately describe the process of installing ceilings from MDF panels - it is no different from installing these panels on walls using lathing.
Tip: MDF panels are coated with paper; after installation, they can be painted with some colorless polymer varnish. This will radically increase their service life, because even a mark from a marker can be wiped off with a damp cloth from such a coating. Also, after this treatment, the coating becomes washable.
We would still recommend gluing MDF systems to smooth walls. Modern adhesives make this process simple and even fun. We will show how this happens using the example of a video about polyurethane foam balloon adhesive Penosil. It must be said that most well-known manufacturers of polyurethane foam have similar adhesives. They differ from ordinary foam in the absence of secondary expansion, which makes them convenient to use for such purposes.
Pasting walls with MDF panels
In addition, no one has canceled the use of any other adhesives intended for the corresponding surfaces. There are also special compositions for MDF. The choice of one glue or another depends, among other things, on your habits and preferences in working with various tools.
It must be said that installing MDF panels with glue is practically the only way to create complex combined interiors, coverings that fit tightly to the wall, or install large-sized MDF products without the use of through fasteners.
You can combine these two types of installation and get voluminous finishing options, which always enlivens the interior. Before gluing the panels directly to the walls, they must be dust-free and primed with a deep penetration primer.
The sufficient flexibility of MDF panels allows them to bend around rounded walls, form arcs of arches, etc.
If you have uneven walls, but you still don’t want to make lathing for installing MDF panels, and even more so to level the wall with continuous plastering, then there is an option to install protruding beacons made of gypsum or cement mortars. After drying, you can apply glue like “liquid nails” or any glue, incl. from polyurethane balloon adhesives. Further – it’s clear.
Quick finishing of a bathroom with panels
It is better to apply the glue continuously, but it is allowed to apply it in spots in increments of no more than 200 x 200 mm. The method of forming corners and junctions using sealant shown in the video is, in our opinion, the most interesting. You can read in detail about the properties of such sealants in
Also, we cannot fail to mention another important point related to giving exclusivity and individuality to your interior - painting MDF panels. Of course, 3D MDF panels are best suited for this.
Painting 3D MDF panels
Applying paint with a spray gun at different angles will significantly enhance the 3D effect. And there are plenty of options for your individual creativity. Chips, glitters, flocks, various fluorescent paints are just a small list of what you can use. In addition, such coating with appropriate compounds can turn regular panel moisture-resistant, with the possibility of using it even in bathrooms. And the absence of a compressor is not a problem if you are a regular reader of our site.
MDF wall panels today are one of the most convenient materials to use, allowing you to make your home or apartment an example of design art at low financial and labor costs. And the most important thing is that you can work with it without the involvement of finishing specialists.
Dear readers, if you have any questions, please ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)
MDF panels for walls are an inexpensive and easy-to-work material that allows you to cover a room in a short time and with minimal time and labor. We will talk about the types, advantages and methods of working with MDF panels in this article.
The main raw material for the production of MDF panels is chips and other wood waste, which are mixed with certain compounds and compressed under high pressure. This whole process can be described step by step:
The advantages of MDF panels include the following features:
In addition to the advantages, MDF panels also have a number of negative qualities:
Depending on the manufacturing method and features of use, there are 3 main types of MDF panels:
MDF panels are also classified according to appearance and type of design:
Even the cheapest and simplest MDF panels are considered a higher quality material compared to chipboard. Here are their main advantages:
MDF is considered more environmentally friendly material compared to chipboard, so MDF panels can be used in interior decoration without any fear for your health. 
To find out the required amount of material, you should measure the width of the walls. MDF panels are produced in several sizes and to calculate the required number of fragments, divide the width of the surface by the width of 1 element. Please note that during the installation process there may be a risk of damage to the material, it is worth purchasing products with a small margin. Note that finished MDF panels must be connected to each other evenly and without gaps, since poor-quality joints are almost impossible to hide.
When finishing walls with MDF panels, you will also have to use finishing corners. These parts take the form of strips made of fiberboard and connected to each other using a textured film. Finishing corners are easy to install and are suitable for mounting on straight, sharp and obtuse corners. Such details will help give the finish a beautiful and complete look.
MDF panels are installed on a pre-prepared frame. This design is made from thin wooden slats 4 cm wide and 2 cm thick. It makes no sense to make a frame from more massive and heavier materials, since the panels themselves do not have significant weight. Laths of the indicated size are considered standard and are sold on any construction market and in specialized stores.
In addition to slats and MDF panels for wall cladding, you will need additional materials:
Before installing MDF panels on the walls, it is necessary to make a frame from wooden slats. Such work consists of the following stages:
Tip: after securing the frame, you can draw its diagram on paper. If you ever decide to hang pictures or lamps on the wall, you will know where to drive the nails.
The process of wall cladding can be described in stages:
After the final cladding of the wall, it is necessary to install the corners. In this case, you need to follow some recommendations:
MDF panels for walls, photo:
Decorative finishing of walls and ceilings is the final stage of renovation of premises in a house or apartment. The range of building materials for decorating surfaces is huge - from bulk mixtures for plastering to sheets, panels, roll and tile materials. Among this diversity mdf panels stand out for their extraordinary characteristics, which attracts consumers.
Decorative wall cladding with MDF panels is fundamentally different from other methods of working with finishing coatings:
The basis of MDF is wood, and the structure of the panel resembles a sandwich of several layers - load-bearing, protective, decorative and structural. Despite complex composition, production from wood processing industry waste (wood dust) makes products cheap and accessible, and the use of modern technologies makes them strong and durable. The initial and final material differ in their characteristics in favor of the panel - the products become durable, flexible, moisture-proof, have good sound insulation properties, are light in weight and at the same time are easy to cut, saw, drill, etc. Compared to similar materials - chipboard, fibreboard, OSB - the panels are made without the addition of phenol and other synthetic resins, so they can be used to decorate any premises, including children's and medical rooms.
Pressed wood dust mixed with paraffin and lignin is pressed under high pressure and at high temperature, and the resulting semi-finished product is covered with melamine coatings with different textures and different colors, which not only diversifies the design, but also makes the panels durable and protected from mechanical damage - scratches, impacts, etc. 
All existing panel options differ from each other only in design, color, texture and size: the manufacturing technology remains the same. Design can be divided into several classes that define what MDF panels are and what they are made of:
The final choice of MDF design depends on the room in which the decorative finishing of the panels will work. Laminated products are suitable for domestic premises of any purpose, veneered ones are suitable for premises with high traffic, so that the walls are protected from accidental damage. 
The standard size of MDF of any structure and design is 260 mm length and 200 mm width. If you have accurately calculated the required number of MDF boards according to the height of the room, then they can be cut to size for you in the store. If you prefer personal control, you can cut panels at home different ways: hacksaw, hand or electric jigsaw, grinder, on a special machine such as a tile cutter. Also in the store they can immediately collect for you monolithic slab from MDF of any sizes.
| Panel thickness, mm | Product length, mm | Panel width, mm |
| 10,0 | 2800,0 | 2070,0 |
| 10,0 | 2620,0 | 2070,0 |
| 12,0 | 2800,0 | 2070,0 |
| 12,0 | 2620,0 | 2070,0 |
| 16,0 | 2800,0 | 2070,0 |
| 16,0 | 2620,0 | 2070,0 |
| 18,0 | 2800,0 | 2070,0 |
| 18,0 | 2620,0 | 2070,0 |
You can often see panels on sale custom size, which depends on the manufacturer’s equipment. Therefore, when choosing a particular room design and panel texture, do not forget to check the dimensions of the products so as not to make a mistake when calculating their quantity:
The easiest thing after wallpapering is installing MDF panels, and this is another plus that persuades consumers in favor of this finishing material. Working with panels is a pleasure, it is a very simple and fast process. We have already listed the tools for cutting and installation, and every home has it. With a length of just over 2 m, MDF is easy to transport home, and shop cutting makes transportation even easier. 
Choose your tool based on cutting capabilities and results:
A little about how the installation is done: the panels are connected to each other by a tongue-and-groove system, and for fastening to the wall, either special fastenings are used - clamps, or clips, or even simpler - small shoe nails or self-tapping screws. The clamps are spaced 30-40 cm apart from each other if the panel is attached directly to the wall, and at a distance corresponding to the width of the sheathing. This covering allows, if necessary, to easily disassemble the desired section of the coating.
The sheathing is made of wooden slats with a section of 1.5 x 4 cm or 2 x 4 cm, and is used if the wall is very uneven. MDF can be attached to a flat surface with liquid nails, or (if the wall is made of foam concrete, wood or other soft materials) straight to the wall. 
https://youtu.be/qzZWWa7gayE
There are often areas with curved surfaces, and such places need to be decorated with curved panels. How to bend them? There are bent products on sale, but the bending radius of the finished product does not always fit a specific place in the room. Therefore, they bend panels at home, and very successfully. True, for bending you need to take the thinnest slabs, always for painting (other panels may crack), but the difficulty will be the same - to choose the same color.
To bend correctly decorative panels, you need to make a template with the required bending radius. Any available materials are suitable for this - metal profile, plywood, plastic, etc. The main thing is to give the products the desired radius of the circle, which should correspond to the radius of the surface to be decorated. 
MDF softens before bending, but not with steam or water, as is done with plywood or cardboard, but by impregnation with alcohol compounds - glue, solution, just alcohol. Aqueous solutions will cause the MDF to swell, and it will no longer take its previous shape in terms of thickness and cross-sectional configuration. The glue is applied with a notched spatula, the alcohol is applied with a swab. After this, the bar is applied to the template and fixed for a day.
