MDF Vs. Sandply

MDF

• Medium-density fiberboard is made from wood fibers and sold in solid boards and panels. The fibers are joined together with resins and adhesives under high heat and pressure to form solid panels. Paraffin wax also is added during the manufacturing process to make MDF boards moisture resistant.

Sandply

• Sandply is a common name for plywood that is ready to prime and paint. The facing side has been lightly sanded, and as a result, the facing side is ready for priming and painting. Sandply panels have a grading of "A" or "B" on one or both sides of the plywood panel. These grades mean the surface displays minimal knots and imperfections. This is an important consideration if you are selecting plywood that will form the final facing surface and not be overlaid with some other type of material such as drywall or tile. The back side of sandply panel might have a lower grade, such as "C" or "D," and display more imperfections.

Similarities

• Sandply and MDF are engineered composite materials, and they are not made of solid wood. They are more closely related to particleboard and plywood than they are to a solid plank of wood or a piece of lumber. Sandply and MDF are good choices for interior applications and poor choices for exterior use. For example, you can use sandply or MDF to build an indoor kitchen counter, but you would not want to use either material to build an outdoor kitchen counter. Neither material can withstand exposure to moisture and will warp and disintegrate over time.

Differences

• MDF is a bit more versatile in terms of how it is sold, applied and used. You can purchase MDF in a raw form or with a pre-attached veneer. Sandply, on the other hand, is only sold in a raw form, and if you choose to add a veneer, you have to do so yourself. As a result, sandply is more often specifically chosen and used by furniture and cabinetmakers who are building custom-made items. MDF is more of a prescribed substrate material. When ready-to-assemble furniture and cabinet pieces are boxed for sale, MDF is often used as the substrate, and consumers are not given a choice of MDF or sandply. MDF is also a easier to saw, cut and pre-drill, which makes assembly easier for do-it-yourselfers.