MDF Mouldings - Composite Panel Association

Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical BulletinC OMPOSITE P ANEL A SSOCIATIONSMSMtechnicalBULLETINMDFMedium DensityFiberboard (MDF) is acomposite panel productmanufactured fromwood fibers andsynthetic resin bindersbonded together underheat and pressure. Thefibers and resin form ahomogenous board withconsistent properties ineach direction.MDF Mouldingsand MillworkMDF is an exceptionalproduct for mouldingsand millwork. Thesurface is flat, smooth,uniform and free ofknots and grain. MDF iseasily shaped into almostany form. High quality,clean, sharp contoursand edges can beachieved in a wide rangeof profiles.Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) MouldingsThe homogeneouscomposition of MDF iscompatible for highquality finishingtechniques. MDF’suniform compositionand smooth, tightsurface, allows finishes tobe applied directly to thesurface. There are nofinger joints so it is easyto create an even finish.MDF mouldings andmillwork are easy towork with at the job-site.Mouldings are commonlyavailable in lengths up to16 feet (4.8 meters) andjambs are available indoor height lengths.MDF millwork isavailable as casing,crown, jambs, baseboard,chair rails and manyother profiles.MDF Mouldings

Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical BulletinProductsThe information in thisdocument is believed to bereliable and is intended toassist users of compositepanel products. However,the determination ofsuitability of thisinformation for a particularuse or application remainsthe sole responsibility ofthe user.No guarantees,representations or expressor implied warranties aremade regarding theaccuracy and completenessof this information, and theComposite PanelAssociation (CPA) assumesno responsibility or liabilityfor any loss or damagethrough reliance upon it.Most MDF moulding and millwork comes preprimed.Veneer wrapped or prefinished MDFproducts are available when stain finishes areneeded. MDF mouldings are intended forinterior use only, unless otherwise recommendedby the manufacturer.Wrapped and PrefinishedMouldingsMDF mouldings are available with veneer, paperor other overlays. Special machines wrap theveneer or overlay over the profile. Grain printedand prefinished MDF mouldings are alsoavailable. Each provides the same ease ofinstallation as standard MDF mouldings.Moisture ResistanceMDF mouldings with properties that enhancemoisture resistance should be considered for usein bathrooms and for baseboards where theconstruction is slab-on-grade. While the mostcommon adhesive for MDF is ureaformaldehyde,other adhesives or additives maybe used to provide special properties such asreduced thickness swell or enhanced bonddurability.Exterior Use MDFMDF can also be manufactured with specialadhesives suitable for exterior applications. Usesinclude brick moulding, mouldings around doorsand windows, exterior window sills, columnfacings, gable vents and louvers, soffit trim andother exterior trim.Typical Moulding ProfileWrapped Profiles© Copyright 1998Composite PanelAssociationAll rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or inpart is prohibited withoutprior express writtenauthorization from CPA.

Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical BulletinStandardsWhenever possible, specify MDF manufacturedto American National Standards Institute (ANSI)A208.2. This standard includes provisions forphysical and mechanical properties and limits theamount of formaldehyde emissions.Bundle Tag for MDF CertificationMany North American MDF products arecertified for formaldehyde emissions by theComposite Panel Association or other third partycertification agencies. A typical CPA Certificationtag is shown at right.Storage and HandlingMoulding is generally delivered to the job site incartons. MDF products must be stored inside andin a horizontal position.Prehung Units and Moulding Site StorageProtect from WaterProtect the moulding from moisture duringstorage and construction. This would help avoidextra preparation or field sanding. In addition,water based primers used with MDF mouldingare susceptible to “fiber raise” with anysignificant contact with water.Allow MDF to AcclimateLike solid wood, MDF changes dimensionallywith changes in relative humidity. It is importantto store MDF products on site for a minimum of24 hours or longer in the heated environment inwhich they will be installed. This will help thembecome acclimatized to the moisture conditionsat that location. To speed the process the cartonsmay be opened and the moulding removed andstickered.

Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical Bulletin Technical BulletinPainting and FinishingWhat is the Composite Panel Association?Most MDF moulding comespre-primed. Factory primecoats permit the use of bothwater-base and solvent-basefinish coat applications.Before painting the surfaceshould be cleaned to removedust, dirt, finger prints andgrease. Fill nail holes and anyminor surface indentationsbefore applying the top coat.Top coats may be solvent basedor water based. Acrylic andalkyd paints also work well. Usesatin or semi-gloss finishes andfollow the paint manufacturer’srecommendations fortemperature ranges at time ofapplication. Use lacquertopcoats only with a coat oflacquer primer over the preprimedmoulding.Avoid use of latex paints orlacquers at ambienttemperatures of less than 55degrees F. or relative humidityabove 65%.Also avoid the use of catalyzedlacquers and varnishes as theymay not be compatible with thepre-primed surface.The Composite Panel Association(CPA) is the North Americantrade association for theparticleboard (PB) and themedium density fiberboard(MDF) industries, and for othercompatible products. The CPA isdedicated to increasing theacceptance and use of industryproducts and educating usersabout the benefits of theseproducts.Membership in the CPA currentlyincludes 34 of the leading U.S.and Canadian manufacturers ofindustry products. Together,they represent more than 85percent of total North Americanmanufacturing capacity of theseproducts.CPA Member CompaniesAllegheny MDF LPAllegheny Particleboard LPBoise Cascade CorporationCanPar IndustriesCollins Products LLCColumbia Forest ProductsDel-Tin FiberFlakeboard Company, Ltd.Florida Plywoods, Inc.Georgia-Pacific CorporationHambro Forest Products, Inc.Isobord Enterprises, Inc.Langboard, Inc.Louisiana-Pacific CorporationMacMillan Bloedel Ltd.Merillat Industries, Inc.Norbord Industries, Inc.Northern EngineeredWood Products, Inc.Panolam IndustriesPan Pacific Products, Inc.Plum Creek Timber Company, LPPotlatch CorporationProboard Ltd.Rexwood Products (1996) Ltd.SierraPine, Ltd.Tafisa Canada and Company Ltd.TempleTimber Products CompanyUniboard Canada Inc.Union Camp CorporationWebb Furniture Enterprises, Inc.West Fraser MillsWeyerhaeuser CompanyWillamette Industries, Inc.The Composite Panel Associationwas formed in 1997 as aconsolidation of the NationalParticleboard Association andthe Canadian ParticleboardAssociation. The CPA representsindustry on technical,regulatory, quality assuranceand product acceptance issues.An affiliated organization, theComposite Wood Council, wasformed in 1989 to broadenparticipation in industryeducational and promotionalprograms. Membership in theComposite Wood Council ishighly diverse and includesmore than 170 companiesworldwide, including allmembers of the CompositePanel Association. Programs andactivities of the CPA and CWCcomplement each other.COMPOSITE PANEL ASSOCIATION SMAssociation des fabricants de panneaux de composites18928 Premiere Court • Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA 20879Tel 301/670-0604 • Fax 301/840-1252 • www.pbmdf.com4612 Saint-Catherine West, Westmount, Quebec H3Z 1S3Tel 514/989-1002 • Fax 514/989-931810/98 2.5k