How is Plywood Different from MDF?

People who are planning to get their home constructed or renovated are usually confused about the kind of wood which needs to be applied. The usage of plywood is quite common for the interior however, the availability of upgraded fiberboard variants are also making quite a name for themselves. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is one such engineered wood type which is receiving higher traction from modern-age homemakers.

Let us try to spot the prime differences between plywood and MDF to analyze which suits perfect as per your requirements.

Introduction

Firstly, plywood is made using peeler logs. In simple words, thin layers are skinned from wood logs through a rotation managed along their horizontal axis. Later, the sheets of veneer acquired from this method are cut as per the desired dimensions to be further dried, patched and glued together. These are then baked in a press managed at 140 °C and 1.9 MPa in order to create a plywood panel.

On the other hand, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is formed using wood fibers acquired from the breaking down of hardwood and softwood using a defibrator. It is after this process that wood fibers are glued together with the help of resin and wax adhesive to be transformed into panels when baked under high temperature and pressure. This wood product is one of the leading variants across the overall fiberboard market, with higher demand from the residential construction sector.

Plywood Vs MDF

In order to judge the primary differences among plywood and MDF, let us examine three chief crucial aspects. 

Sturdiness & Strength

It should be remembered that MDF does not hold the same hardness features as plywood and therefore, can be easily damaged when handled roughly. Furthermore, it is not as stiff when compared to plywood and can slump if additional weight is applied.

There are further tests that reveal cross graining of plywood works to improve dimensional stability through reduction in shrinkage and expansion. Another advantage of using plywood is associated to its application in extreme cold, which does not affect its strength or dimensions.

Workability

If you drive a screw along the edge of MDF, it is the soft core that can split easily. Also, when you do not use a countersink drill bit, the screw head can snap off before actually sinking in. Contrary to this, the cross graining process of plywood somewhat lessens its propensity to split while nailing at the edges. Therefore, MDF's non-directional grain structure fits perfect for cutting, drilling and machining, without leading to any chipping or splinters.

Cost

To be honest, MDF is typically cheaper than plywood; however, it truly depends on the grade of plywood as well as wood used. Top grade plywood is more expensive since they tend to be more aesthetically attractive, often exhibiting softwood grains or natural hardwood. Whereas lower grades are primarily used for construction work that does not specifically require them to be seen, for example- subflooring.