WHAT MAKES MDF A PRACTICAL MATERIAL CHOICE FOR STAIRCASES?

15 November 2017

Timber is often the standard go-to for staircases – and for good reason; timber is durable, sustainable, not too pricey, and very aesthetically pleasing. However, timber does have a number of drawbacks that make it a not-so-ideal choice for low-maintenance staircases. For starters, not all timber is of top-quality to qualify for the truly stunning.

Timber used in staircases can be damaged through regular traffic or due to accidents, and may not always be readily replaceable or repairable. Thankfully, there are new and innovative materials that can be used to replace traditional timber staircases – MDF being one of them.

MDF the Practical Material Choice for Staircases

Medium-density fibre board – better known as ‘MDF’ – is a new, revolutionary alternative to timber and all wooden materials in general. But MDF is, surprisingly, actually made from the very things that timber is made of. It is essentially consolidated sawdust that is mixed with a formaldehyde-based, state-of-the-art resin.

It is set into moulds of differing thicknesses, lengths and densities, and then pressed into panels, dowels, or planks under extreme heat and pressure to form a consolidated, nigh-impregnable mass that will not chip off, flake off, or crumble.

Here are some advantages that make MDF a practical material choice for staircases:

• Advocates recycling and reusing of waste material – since MDF is made from sawdust and other waste material that is basically re-consolidated, it reduces overall waste and promotes recycling.
• Rot-proof, water-proof, and termite-proof – because it is made with formaldehyde-based resin, MDF is resistant to water damage, rot, and termites, making it exceedingly low-maintenance and perfect for all indoor and outdoor applications.
• Impact and scratch-resistant – all MDF ‘timbers’ are impact resistant, thanks in part to its superior density and overall chemical make-up and structure. Some are even laminated to become scratch resistant. The laminated varieties are easier to clean and maintain, and don’t require anything else but the occasional buffing and polishing.
• Versatile – in spite of its artificial nature, it can be employed in a similar way to regular timber, and can be sawed, carved and shaped into an assortment of shapes and styles. Non-laminated and non-coated varieties can even be stained before a final ‘sealant’ coating is applied to it.

So, if you are looking for a futuristic material that provides all the practical and aesthetic benefits of timber, but without any of its drawbacks, then consider using MDF as a practical material choice for your new staircase.

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