is calling MDF “solid wood” deceiving?
Answer Leslie, Manufacturers that label MDF as solid wood make me want to scream. MDF is (as you probably learned from your research) medium density fiberboard. That means is a glorified version of particle board. Now MDF is slightly different – they use different glues and a different compression system to make it, so it’s better than the particleboard that most people know. It’s harder, a little less prone to absorbing moisture, but it basically has no real strength or grain to it. So it doesn’t hold fasteners (screws, nails, etc) that well, nor will it be strong enough absorb a blow. Smack a corner of a piece of MDF with a hammer, and it will break off. Solid wood won’t. That said, there are many custom furniture makers like me who use MFD all the time. If you know what you’re doing and you use MDF for it’s good points, like stability as a veneered surface, it’s a fine material. Many pieces of nice veneered furniture have a core of MDF, and it’s perfectly acceptable. It all depends
