Melamine-coated MDF can be used to build tables.
MDF (medium density fiberboard) is a modern composite product consisting of small wood fibers. The fibers are then mixed with a resin under heat and pressure. The evolution of MDF has led to variations such as MDL, or medium density laminate, which is MDF coated on both sides with melamine, and veneered MDF, which is MDF coated on both sides with wood veneer. Does this Spark an idea?
Raw
Raw MDF can be used for any application that requires machine carving. It is popular for raised panel doors, side jambs of china cabinets, fancy buffet cabinets and specialty interior doors. Raw MDF can be routed into any shape, sanded smooth and painted or heavily coated with tinted lacquer to achieve a glassy, extremely smooth profile. MDF panels are run through a shaper, vertical plunge router or CNC machine: these create profiles that cannot be manufactured with solid wood, chipboard or plywood.
Melamine
Melamine-faced MDF, referred to as MDL (medium density laminate), has many uses. It is popular for European-style cabinets found in expensive homes, as well as for commercial cabinets found in hospitals, businesses and anywhere an expensive-looking attractive surface is desirable. Melamine-faced is often used for counter or tabletop applications because of its resistance to water, and made into fancy end tables, coffee tables, specialty cabinet doors and church pew ends.
Veneer
Veneer-faced MDF is used like any high-grade plywood, but has the same fiber-core center as raw MDF. Veneered MDF can be purchased with oak, ash, or mahogany veneer on both sides, or a combination of MDL on one side and MDF on the other. Veneer-faced is used to build fancy tables, desks and cabinets, or any other items for which plywood is used. Some cabinet makers prefer veneered MDF because of its durability, its lack of the "voids" (small hollow pockets) that plywood has and its ability to be edge-profiled and sanded to any shape.
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