There are some DIY questions that will leave even the most avid Fixer Upper fan stumped. Like what material should I use for my bookshelf? Should I stain or paint my kitchen cabinets? And how does Joanna Gaines get her hair to look so damn good? Relax, we’ve got you covered. (Except with the hair thing—that woman is a marvel.)
WTF is MDF? Stands for medium-density fiberboard—an engineered material made from sawdust that’s been pressed together with bonding agent. Uniform and smooth, it can be spotted by checking for wood grain. (MDF won’t have it.)
Got it. And plywood? Also an engineered product that’s made from thin sheets of wood that have been glued together to create one solid piece. Plywood (like MDF) comes in different thicknesses, but it also comes in different grades—the higher the grade, the higher the price.
So, what's the difference? MDF is smooth and free of knots, which makes it great for painting and easy cutting. It’s also more affordable (yay!). But its consistency means that it won’t hold screws as well and that it’s susceptible to water damage, making it best for indoor use. Plywood, on the other hand, is stronger than MDF and safe to use indoors and out. It holds screws well and is stainable (painting is trickier), but it’s more expensive and difficult to cut designs into.
