Showerthought: Should we still use MDF in high-humidity kitchens?

I stopped by a job site in Portland last week and saw a guy slapping MDF into a kitchen remodel near a window. I get that it's flat and cheap, but we all know one spill or a humid summer and that stuff swells like a sponge. On the other hand, plywood costs more and can warp or have voids that mess up your finish. So what's the better call for a normal homeowner kitchen that sees steam every day? I've had mixed results with both and wonder if I'm overthinking it. Any of you guys still using MDF in wet areas?

2 comments

2 Comments

marywells28d ago

Oh, you're really gonna tell me MDF is a bad call for kitchens? I mean, is it perfect? No. But for a normal homeowner who isn't running a commercial steam room, it's totally fine if you do it right. You seal every edge with primer or a good oil-based paint before installation, and you keep it off the floor by like a quarter inch so it can't wick up moisture. I've seen MDF cabinets in kitchens last ten plus years without a problem, while plywood can cup or delaminate if it gets a leak behind the sink. The flatness and smoothness of MDF is just unbeatable for a painted finish, and that's what most people want these days anyway. Honestly, the real issue is people not bothering to prep it, then blaming the material.

stella90428d ago

But is it really that deep though?