MDF vs Plywood: Which to Use for Kitchens and Wardrobes

MDF, melamine MDF or plywood? A simple guide to choosing the right board for wardrobes, kitchens, furniture and formwork, from Perfect Steel in Jeddah.

Carpenters and homeowners in Jeddah ask us the same question every week: should I use MDF or plywood? Both are engineered boards, but they are made differently, behave differently and suit different jobs. Here is a simple guide.

What is MDF?

MDF (medium density fibreboard) is made from fine wood fibres pressed together with resin into a dense, smooth sheet. It has no grain and no knots, so it cuts cleanly and gives a perfectly flat surface for paint or laminate.

Melamine MDF, such as TAJCO melamine MDF, has a decorative melamine face already bonded to it. It comes ready-finished, so there is no painting or laminating, and the face resists scratches and stains.

What is plywood?

Plywood is made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together, with the grain of each layer at right angles to the next. That cross-layering makes it strong, stiff and better at holding screws, and it copes with moisture better than standard MDF.

Shuttering plywood, such as Marineplex shuttering plywood, has a coated face for concrete formwork and can be reused several times.

Side by side

	MDF / melamine MDF	Plywood
Surface	Smooth, flat, no grain	Wood grain, can have small defects
Strength	Good, but can sag over long spans	Stronger and stiffer for its weight
Screws	Holds screws, but not at the edges	Holds screws well, including near edges
Moisture	Standard MDF swells if it gets wet	Better with moisture; marine and shuttering grades for wet use
Finish	Melamine face is ready to use	Needs painting, veneer or laminate for furniture
Best for	Wardrobes, cabinets, office furniture, shelving, wall panels	Structures, heavy shelving, sub-floors, formwork

Which one for your job?

Wardrobes and bedroom furniture: melamine MDF. Ready-finished, flat and available in many colours.
Kitchen cabinets: melamine MDF for doors and carcasses in dry areas; plywood for the sink base and areas near water.
Office furniture and shelving: melamine MDF for a clean look; plywood for heavy loads or long shelves.
Concrete formwork: shuttering plywood, every time.
Painted doors and wall panels: plain MDF, for its smooth surface.

Buy MDF and plywood in Jeddah

Perfect Steel stocks melamine MDF from TAJCO, Lamintec, Sidco and Danube, MDF and chipboards, plywood and blockboards and shuttering plywood, with delivery across Saudi Arabia. Send the board type, thickness, colour and quantity on WhatsApp at +966 546 720 678 for a quick quote.