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Plywood vs MDF – comparison of Materials

Understanding the difference between the two materials

Though they look very similar and both give the same finish, there is some difference which works better for your homes.

Fortunately, for many projects, the two main substitutes – Plywood & MDF choosing the right material—MDF vs. plywood—for your project can be a puzzle.

Both plywood and MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is engineered wood products but both have very different traits and applications but are highly engineered into their finished forms.

On the surface, both MDF and plywood contain real wood but are highly engineered into their finished forms. MDF starts off with hardwood and softwood fibers, which are glued together with various resins, and then subjected to high heat and pressure to form panels.

Plywood undergoes a similar process, but instead of wood fibers, it starts off with very thin layers of wood from peeler logs, the higher the grade, the higher the price of the plywood.

While they may appear similar, but they have their strengths and weaknesses based on their construction. To help you decide between them, we’ve addressed their primary differences in the categories that matter most to the average do-it-yourselfer.

Plywood has been available on the market for a considerable length of time and is still considered to be a very reliable, pliable product for various applications.

It is manufactured by binding pressed sheets of wood veneers together using an adhesive bond into one solid sheet, and comes in various thicknesses and species including softwoods and hardwoods such as oak, birch, maple, mahogany, and ash to name a few.

plywood is available in various grades and thicknesses, allowing you to choose the correct one for your project’s needs.

Lower-grade plywoods tend to be used for the interior of house builds whilst higher grade plywoods are used for furniture and cabinets that demand a much nicer finish and grain, as they tend to demand the display of attractive looking knots, wood grain, and consistent finishes.

While the price depends on the thickness and grade of the material, in general, MDF costs less than plywood. MDF is used more as a utility product to build housings, carcasses, and structures, rather than the outer shell to be put on a show.

MDF boards are made from a dense material consisting of broken-down hard and softwood residuals, and these fine particles are then pressed with wax and resin bondings under high pressure and temperatures, leaving a smooth, consistent finish.

Advantages of Plywood

  • Is very strong and malleable, and made from multiple layers of wood veneers
  • More weather and waterproof than MDF and won’t absorb moisture as quickly, so less susceptible to damage
  • Is stainable so is perfect for projects that demand a high-end finish with wood grain on display
  • Hold screws and nails very well due to its multiple layered timber structure
  • Plywood has more flex than MDF, so you can gently bend it to create curves; plus, plywood won’t expand, contract, or warp, even under temperature extremes

Disadvantages of Plywood

  • Costs considerably more than MDF and can be fairly expensive when choosing higher grade plywoods
  • Requires edge banding or decorative moldings at the edge due to exposed layers on the sides
  • Harder to cut a smooth edge and can split and splinter using more courser cutting blades
  • No suited to complex cuts or designs and tends to split or splinter when used with a router

Advantages of MDF

  • Is generally a lot cheaper to purchase than plywood
  • Has a consistently smooth surface so is ideal for painting and finishing
  • Consistent smooth surfaces make it ideal for projects requiring a sharp finished edge
  • Easy to cut complex shapes and designs using a jigsaw, router or band saw

Disadvantages of MDF

  • Terrible in moist or wet conditions as the particles will soak up water like a sponge and rot
  • Doesn’t hold screws or nails well due to its fine particle structure
  • Can be extremely heavy and difficult to work with due to its density
  • Can’t be stained as the particles will soak up any liquid and leave a very poor finish
  • MDF is a softer material than plywood and tends to sag or split under pressure.

Which product is right for my project?

The general rule of thumb is, if moisture is an issue, always opt for plywood over MDF every time. MDF will rot very quickly and will disintegrate rapidly if exposed to water over a prolonged period.

With that in mind, Plywood is much more suited to indoor projects and is a popular material for those looking to build out cabinets, shelving and other pieces that will be painted or finished off with moldings or trims.

Never attempt to stain MDF as this will not look good at all. But if you have an intricate design that requires cutting curves and odd shapes, MDF is very suited to this application.

Plywood is more weather versatile as it can be used for both interior and exterior projects. It is generally used to skin doors, as well as good materials for custom cabinets, flooring, and furniture that need a natural wood grain finish.

Although far more resilient to moisture than MDF, it can still break down over time and delaminate if not treated. Exterior plywood works best if it needs to be used outdoors and regular retreating is advised to prolong its overall finish and life expectancy.

Plywood looks more like real wood.

Since plywood is made with wood strips, its surfaces take on the solid-wood appearance better than MDF. Higher grades of plywood are smooth and quite attractive, with plenty of grain, yet none of the knotholes that can mar solid wood. MDF, in contrast, has no grain, isn’t as smooth as plywood, and looks like what it is: pressed wood fibers.

MDF weighs more than plywood.

As it’s quite a bit denser than plywood, MDF weighs considerably more. This can be a major issue if you’ll need to lift, hold, or clamp panels in place or construct something that requires an overhead reach, such as elevated shelves.

When it comes to strength, plywood is the winner.

MDF is a softer material than plywood and tends to sag or split under pressure. That’s why it’s important to reinforce it if you’re going to using it to build shelves or other weight-bearing furniture. Plywood also has more flex than MDF, so you can gently bend it to create curves; plus, plywood won’t expand, contract, or warp, even under temperature extremes.

MDF creates more dust when cut.

Due to its construction, MDF creates far more sawdust when cut than plywood does, so you’ll need to be extra cautious about working in a well-ventilated area and wearing a respirator or other protective mask and goggles.

You’ll need to finish the edges of the plywood.

Look at the edge of a piece of plywood, and you’ll see the thin layers used to create it. That means you’ll need to finish any exposed edges of your project if it’s made with plywood, usually either with edge banding or molding. This isn’t an issue with MDF, which doesn’t show layers at the edges.

Screws anchor better in plywood.

Because it’s soft, MDF doesn’t anchor screws very well. So if your project involves many screws or nails, plywood may be the better choice. However, if you’ll be screwing or nailing fasteners into the edge of the wood, be aware that plywood is more prone to splintering or splitting at the edges than MDF is.

Plywood is the best choice for outdoor projects.

If you’re constructing furniture for your yard or planning any type of outdoor project, plywood is the better choice. MDF tends to soak up water far more easily than plywood, then warps and swells once wet. While water can eventually damage plywood, in general, you’ll find that plywood holds up quite well outdoors.

Both plywood and MDF tend to emit VOCs and formaldehyde.

Both materials off-gas formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are lung and nervous system irritants. Formaldehyde-free plywood is available.

however, although it’s more expensive than regular plywood. Painting, priming, sealing, or staining the MDF or plywood does help reduce the problem, but will not entirely eliminate it.