MDF IS A BAD IDEA!!! Or is it??
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- MDF gets a bad reputation. And for some reasons that is understandable. In this video I will go through 4 pros and 4 cons of MDF (medium density fiberboard)
These are my opinions and experiences from using this stuff for nearly a decade. Thanks for watching!!!
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You should not be able to rip a door off one handed wile holding a baby 😂 good analogy love the work mate 👍
You could tell by the look on the baby's face that he was totally shocked that the door came off so easy. The manufactured home industry loves MDF trim. It can be a nice product for many projects in the hands of the right person.
Richard, sending you greetings from HTX. I really Appreciate your videos and enjoy watching them. I’m also a young Trim Carpenter with 15 years in the trade and it’s nice to see other talented skilled trades men out there. Keep up the good work bro!
I work for a contractor doing water restoration. We will only use primed pine even if the insurance company writes for mdf. Excellent videos. Binged watch every single one today.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from some of your vids. Buddies of mine and me that work in construction share your videos back and forth like my kids do Pokémon cards
Thanks for making this, it was super influential in helping me solidify my decision not to use MDF for the casing/baseboards in my remodel. Also, I'm totally floored that using MDF for door jams is even a thing. Feels almost criminal.
That last issue with MDF door jambs is one I hadn't considered. Thanks for the tip.
I've dealt with MDF for years!! this is the very best explanation of pro's and cons I've ever seen!!! (and---- I absolutely LOVE the "holding the baby in one hand thing!!!!!!) you are both a master craftsman,, and a great Daddy!!!!!!
PS---- when customers insisted on MDF jambs--- I run my hinge screws all the way through and into the rough framing),, a lot of shimming and adjusting,,,, but they hold very well!
Always enjoy watching your videos. Very informative. You've taught me many tricks. Thank you so much.
Watch all you’re videos I’m a union carpenter 35 years and you always teach me something keep up the good work
I knew I made the right decision to subscribe to your channel. No BS and good points and advice. You’re a good dude...and probably a good Dad.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!
You are an awesome dad! How many fathers would be yelling at the wife to, "do something about the kid! I'm busy trying to do this!"? Sadly, too many. I get the feeling that your children will grow up knowing that, "yes, the job is important to you but they are even more important!
Kudos to you!
💥 can’t wait for you to start decking out your house. Congrats on the new place you deserve it 👍🏻
Informative and well done report. There are MDF molding manufacturers that produce MDF without "added" urea-formaldehyde but even those products still release small amounts of formaldehyde as all MDF is made from ground up natural woods that contain & release formaldehyde. One of the woods with a high release level is the pines.
I agree with all the pros and cons for MDF. For me, even as a DIY'er I really try not to use it too much, unless it's something that won't see a lot of wear and tear, because MDF is brittle as it can be. Especially the stuff bought at the big box stores seems to be getting worse and worse.
But that aside, it still has a ton of uses and should be seen as a valuable addition to the wood family.
I've recently started using finger jointed pine a bit more and I have to say it's a lot nice to work with (holds screws/glue much better, it's lighter, more "predictable" I guess), but it's also less perfect and needs to be sanded/filled a lot more (and is easy to dent as well).
Thanks for your great content, you're one of my favourite channels because you explain things very well and let us actually see how a job goes. Keep it up and I can't wait to see what you're doing to your new home (congrats by the way)!
Comical video dude. I enjoy watching your videos so much. Touche!
When I hang doors, I always like to remove the screws in the middle of the hinges and replace them for longer ones that will screw into the 2x4 framing that'll keep your door true and the other screws from coming loose.
Cesar Garcia I just figured that out a couple of weeks ago, Wood frame too.
Cesar garcia i do that too
Going to try it tomorrow. Thanks my man
3" construction screws! Never had a door sag since!
That’s why almost all hinge plate packages now have at least three long screws in addition to the short ones.
I've been a carpenter for 6-7 years and this is actually the first time i've heard MDF causes cancer. I mean everyone knows it's not good for you and you can feel its kinda burning your throat while standing in the dust. But thanks for the heads up, will definitely be wearing my mask more often when cutting mdf.
As a youngster I remember cutting a whole bunch of MDF over the course of a few days with no respirator. I literally felt like I had the flu for a few days after!!
Been there. Nose full of glue.
I’m 62 years old still in the trench’s , do a lot of high end stuff blah ,blah , a few years ago was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer, just a WARNING wear a mask coupled with compressed air to blow the dust off . DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY , I’m still vertical ,but took some starch outta me . Just saying
Thank you
Maybe that's why your'e so short! The fermeldehyde stunted your growth LOL (I'm short too).
D Lee Lol... it’s formaldehyde Copernicus
Just so you know my clients will be watching this video thank you for doing this one sometimes common sense does cost more in materials you rock!!!
As always, love your videos. Thank you and God bless.
As always thanks for the video! We are redoing our doors. When we pulled out the bathroom jambs they were rotted out which is why the doors were falling off. Guy at Home Hardware told us to use MDF jambs in a bathroom because real wood will swell. I think he must have had it backwards 😳
Very nice! And cute, baby! :) Thanks for posting this: we've just had MDF door and window trims and baseboard installed in our outbuilding... Almost regretted it. The guy who installed it bought the material without consulting with me. But the jams and casing are all real wood at least!
Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Very helpful and what a nice way to talk about MDF, thank you.
Good info! I think I will go with MDF for baseboards n trim. Plus I can use my 18ga nailer and hopefully won't need to invest in a 16ga.
Um.....yeah. I am glad you made this video. There's a debate in my area in construction where FJ primed pine vs. MDF. I was curious one day and sanded a 1x4 primed pine completely and low and behold it was made of 9 to 10 inch pieces. I also ❤️ love the baby test
I avoid MDF whenever possible. 35 years in the trade so I'm absolutely "Old School". I trimmed my whole Craftsman style home with clear yellow pine!
Hell yeah brother!
meh.... mdf has a lot of good uses...
@@diowk like after a rain on the job site,its good to throw down in the mud to make a path to the shitter
You have a brother here. Also 35 years as a trim carpenter. I won't touch the stuff. It's nothing to do with chemicals, I just don't like working with it.
35 years as well. I trimmed my 1927 Craftsman with VG Fir. Not a stick of mdf in this house.
CHEER UP! love the videos man
Good to see another video. You have really motivated me to start installing wainscot in our bonus room turned home theater. I have removed the base board and I'm going to purchase the material this weekend. If I want to stay away from MDF what would your next preference be?
I'm far from a professional, but in my own home restoration (about 100 years old), I did use some MDF in trimming door openings. As a solution to the hinge problem, I used longer screws that went through the MDF and into the framing. The strike plate doesn't seem to suffer from being screwed only into the MDF.
Working on my house I went with primed pine for the crown but I also got a good deal on it. 75c linear foot for 4 1/2". I wish I knew about this clearance center sooner because they have all kinds of lumber and trim. It's not always in stock what you need but if you're lucky you can get a good deal.
I use mdf sometimes because it's so straight and very stable but I prefer fjp.
I 100% agree with everything you said. I really only use MDF when the customer needs to cut cost somewhere.
Watch out for your door slab's as well a lot of door manufacturer's are using a mdf core on there hollow core doors. p.s. keep up the good work its nice to see a fellow finish carpenter that actually takes pride in his work. All to many times I see finish work where they use caulk and putty to fix there lousy workmanship.
Wow! I was going to cut 5 inch strips from 3/4 mdf 4x8 boards for baseboard for my entire house, you save my life bro thank you so much !!! Now I’m stuck with expensive pine 😣
Great video as usual. I think my wife has one up on you though. My wife and I have 6 kids 3 of which are triplets. We were at the grocery store one time and I had one of the triplets and she was holding the other two while checking out she whipped out the checkbook from her purse and filled out the check and gave it to the cashier while holding the two babies at the same time, the look on the cashier's face was how'd you do that. This video made me remember that. Anyway great video, thanks for the tips, we all appreciate them.
Richard I see an infomercial in your future...."You too can do this, one handed while holding a baby".
Love your videos man.
As a contractor and I do my own trim work when that mdf came out 10 or so years ago I was only thinking how much can these products get cheaper and cheaper but after using it I love it. It does has it's flaws but the pros definitely out weigh it ...now for door casein I'd never use it or even window sills. But for crown and base boards and even wainscotting it's perfect you don't have to worry about any bows or cups it's perfectly straight
MDF has been around for well over 20 years. Just sayin'...
Yea it's a perfectly good product if you are installing in dry places. Anywhere moisture could get to it I would stick with wood or vinyl. One thing I've noticed with mdf is that it can follow wall wobbles which really stand out in the base trim, nothing a little extra work can't fix though.
@stephen turner No man, that was just a hoax
Baseboards are a bad idea...especially if it is the quarter round. Why? Because MDF wears so easily the corners look like shit in less than year. So yeah....easy for the installer (you), but shit quality that really makes it look cheap after not that long.
@Mike Wilhelmson So is Imperial :-)
Check out Peter Millard at the ten minute workshop. He’s done testing on MDF and it’s links to cancer. Love the channel dude
The stuff we get in the U.K. and was used in peters videos is not the same as some parts of the world.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Very informative video! And the baby is super cute!
I’m in the process of doing a remodel and have installed 2 pre hung doors with mdf frames. It didn’t sit well with my gut when installing them. I finished the remodel by installing door slabs and kept the old jambs. I had to straighten them out to accept the new doors but I feel better about going that route even though it was more work.
I use the MRMDF (moisture resistant) MDF on my home projects. In addition to being resistant to water and dampness it is less fibrous than the normal brown stuff. It costs a little more but worth it.
How bad is that! Great video . Real heads up to potential home buyers.
My door company always had trouble sourcing longer hinge screws. Pre hung limits screws to three quarter inch, for obvious reasons.
Another pro for mdf....... it’s a great leak indicator! 😁 As you mentioned it DOES not take to water. So any exterior doors that leak, or leaked a little will most likely show damage at the base of the case moulding. If the water has moved the couple inches to affect the base boards..... well there are definitely issues.
About to order new poplar baseboard for my whole house. The house was remodeled in 2017 (before we bought) and received full MDF baseboard throughout. Bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, and living room areas show severe wear or moisture exposure (bathrooms and kitchen) over just three years.
Good points. MDF is such a depressing material to deal with, but I'm glad you spoke about its merits also. Nice to see your boy.
Yeah. This video actually finally convinced me that it has a place.
If you work alone like me a set of crown moulding clips is a must for MDF. Trying to set a 12-16" piece of MDF crown is like trying to use a piece of spaghetti as a straight edge.
I love it for flat panels, any flat stock moulding where edge grain will be hidden (ie multi-piece baseboards) and stuff up and out of the way. Outside corners are tough because the toe of the miter is so brittle and it can't be burnished like solid wood. Also makes really good workbench/outfeed table tops on the cheap.
Thanks for this valuable information .
The new homes I work in as a painter/prep guy, always have MDF. The window and door frames that the home builder uses are a colonial type, and have bare porous edges at the top of the frame, the paint soaks right in there so we always put a coat of caulking over top and smooth it out
THANK YOU! JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO KNOW
If sealed with an oil base, it would greatly reduce chances of damage from moisture. I have a ton of wall space that I plan to do in board/batten MDF. Beautiful stained wood would be nice, but cost prohibited. Probably around 100-150ft, with one area going up to the ceiling at 14ft.
Love the baby's reaction when you ripped off the door with one hand. He couldn't stop staring at your arm! You are a GOD!!
Beautiful baby- lol- “I’m going to just roll with it” bro- put that on a t-shirt- love your channel- thank you for the content
Excellent vid, Dad !
Thanks so much! You made this an easy decision. I don't want mdf in my house.
Love your assistant.
Man that’s a good video.. the baby really made it a reality.. they learn from parents that allow them to.. next generation..keep up the good work.. and parenting..
Great comments! agreed with you on everything
Awesome love it ! well played sifu
I had no idea about msg door jambs.and how easy it was taking the door out with a baby in one arm.thanks for the information.
Richard, i had to get on steroid inhalers for a while because i was exposed to chemicals and my meds cost 10$ a day and i was told i was permanently damaged. Grace of God I'm so much better a year later and rarely need the meds.
Just from mdf?
Excellent video! 👍
I replaced 10 doors at my home thank goodness they were not MDF, because this video would have made me take the doors down and re-do the casing with all new trim. Thanks Richard.
After you make the back cut when coping, run a line of thin CA down along the edge and hit it with activator. Then it won't fall apart.
This is a great video, funny, informative. But, and I realize this is long past as well, anybody watching this.. don’t tear out your mdf door frames, with baby or not. Standard door hanging is to replace a screw in each hinge plate that’s long enough to go into the stud. Sometimes they even send long screws out with the doors. The fact that the original installers didn’t do this just is an example of incomplete installation. They can be added at any time.
I went from totally loving MDF for how easy it is to cut, to totally hating it for how easy it crumbles apart. The only 'engineered' wood materials I still use are OSB and WBP plywood, no chip/MDF/hard (including laminate flooring). Anything worth fabricating is worth making durable imho. Although I'm just a DIYer with free time on my side, I totally understand it's not commercially viable to mill your own trim or exclusively buy trim made from 'real wood' in paint-finish projects for customers.
Natural wood straight from a tree has formaldehyde. If MDF has about the same amount, I wouldn't worry about it.
Headed straight for the like-button because the "while holding a baby" part. That was funny and authentic :D
I've installed mdf baseboards, mdf chair rail, and mdf crown molding in my own home. I don't cope corners, I make inside cuts and then putty the gaps because you can't sand down mdf, its like sanding cardboard.
To prepare mdf, I prime the exposed back and exposed cut of every board with KILZ water-resistant primer before I install. I never use mdf for areas that have a lot of water use; my bathroom has wood baseboards, and wood casing around the door. If you practice working around mdf's shortcomings, you can save a lot of money, at least double the amount you would pay for wood. If anybody should worry about any material, it's insulation because it has tiny microscopic shards that cut up your lungs upon inhalation which causes your lungs to become fibrotic (hard like a scab). When your lungs become fibrotic, they no longer expand like they should, it makes you feel like you can't get a full breath of air (shortness of breath). This is a restrictive disease called pulmonary sarcoidosis. And that my friends, is a real problem.
Gonna get me a baby and test my doors ASAP :-D
Does Occidental Leather make a baby jumper pouch?
Funny 1080peee
Lol
Today i was riping down some skirting, and remembered what you said about mdf, n put my mask straight on. Always get a mask that you don't mind wearing or you'll never wear it. Its worth the £.
Loved the baby demo lol. That's some crappy stuff for door jams.
I just upgraded to a 15 gauge cordless nailer and was wondering if you could do a video on MDF “Puff Up” or “Volcano” explaining what causes this and how to avoid it?
😀the baby was like wow daddy You're strong 💪 😲 loved that part. Keep the good work.✌️
in ontario agter a insurance job the insurance company wants at least 2 feet of drywall taken away and bottom plate especially if sewage is involved. some people get a way with low moisture reading but where that mold has started to culture is exactly where it will start again when humidity or moisture levels begin to rise again.
Super healthy looking baby ! Your a blessed man.
Love the improv with the baby. I can totally relate. :)
Sawdust from real wood is also considered carcinogenic.
I also seal (or finish) the front and back of it with alkyd base finishes, helps in humid locations.
Edit: i make my door jambs from 1x stock. The prefab wood ones are about 1/2" thick, i prefer beefier 3/4" stock.
I love MDF, I use red guard for water sealing, but What’s the best face mask to wear when cutting MDF?
Love your videos.
Insects like MDF. There has been so many jobs where I have to go replace MDF trims and moulding because the exterminator has spray them and it swelled up. After removing them in the back you can see insects have been breeding there.
MDF actually stands for MAKES DUST FAST!!!
I always try to cut it outside
@@goldbuttoutdoors7634 _
@@tommyscott4457 it rains alot where I am so its not always possible to cut it outside
With your experience, could you make any suggestions to artists who are using mdf to paint on and then seal with varnish or resin, before mounting brackets for hanging - my interest runs along the lines of acid free archival concerns, as well as health risks for those doing the work and buyers of the painting. I found your video when I Googled mdf so you may assume I know no more than what your video explained. Thanks for being a concerned citizen to share this info - nice job! I appreciate your consideration. Thank you.
What do You think about vinyl moldings / I use them in bathrooms and kitchen etc , good job 👍
Thanks for the info 👍
Another difference is on some profiles you want the crisp lines you get with a real wood product. Paint grade MDF cabinets are fine as long as you use a real wood face frame. I like to use poplar in this case.
I ran into some houses built in the late 40s/early 50s that was roof decked with 1/2” Sheetrock....i discovered this the hard way, I fell through up to my waist....so getting by cheap is not a new thing......
My best friend's house has plain half inch sheetrock under the eaves (soffits). Not very smart but sure is cheap for the builder.
wholly sht man, nice to know you're here typing!
Thank you for sharing.
Great video. Hansom baby!
The shock on your baby's face at how easily that came off is amazing - guess he will never install MDF door frames and trim having seen that demo! 🤔😉🤣🤣🤣
Ok questions here: who do you by your trim from, is there like a minimum before they’ll deliver, do you save money or is it more a quality thing? I use mostly FJ pine trim, although I always resend and prime to get rid of the appearance of joints.
A) You *could* run longer screws into the door jams until you hit 2x4
B) I now know that there is a faster way to remove a door than just removing 9 screws, thanks !!
MDF is a great product when used in the right way. Like you said nothing that gets screwed, moisture exposure or load bearing.
If I have damage to an outside corner on my MDF baseboards can I patch with maybe drydex, and then sand an paint?
I think for crown it is fine but I prefer the finger jointed pine. I think one con you missed was durability. A outside miter , someone can kick and visually damage MDF. I also find that MDF is a bad option for bathrooms because of the moisture/water issue
Great video
Crazy stuff.
I remember using it for shelving in a pantry, not knowing better😂
You put a wet pot face down on a shelf, and need to yank it off of a mdf mushroom.
On a separate subject.
I had a potential client ask if I’d estimate removing a wall. After explaining the pitfalls of just “removing walls” they asked if I’d come and investigate whether it was load bearing, and could be done, I explained that they are a half hour away, and I’d be a minimum of a half hour, and would need to bring out ladders, and stud finders, and it’s not just a normal estimate.
I also told him I’d have to charge a refundable fee and I’d return it if I did the work.
It’s two hours out of my time.
He went off on me on how nobody charges for estimates, and made it come off like I’m a crook?
Am I wrong? I’m not holding a gun to his head.
Time is money, especially for a one man show.
Brother you DID give him a "free estimate"! You estimated (for free) that it would be a 2 hour JOB to properly assess the work involved to remove a wall, IF it could even be done. You were extremely fair by offering to include the cost of that job as payment towards additional work if he contracted you to complete it.
In the motorcycle business, my technicians would often spend a couple hours just diagnosing a problem...and that time isn't free to the tech, or to me (they could be spending that time on another paying job). If we could NOT identify the issue, I'd often NOT charge the customer, but pay the tech and eat the cost internally. If the customer booked the work, we'd apply the diag charge to the job since it was work performed to fix it (same as you offered). Or, they could pay for the work performed and take the vehicle elsewhere if they wanted.
Any customer who doesn't value YOUR time, isn't one you want.