The question, “Is MDF Waterproof?” is a good one to ask, if you’ve ever noticed a water stain on one of your MDF cabinet doors. Many people wondering if their MDF doors are waterproof get told that they aren’t, and also that they need to replace the doors with either vinyl or aluminum. These are both terrible options, though, so let’s take a look at why this may be the case.

The first thing to remember is that the moisture will not go all the way through the doors – they will just leak out and have to be removed by a professional. Also, even if the moisture did reach the MDF door, it is usually only a small amount of water that leaks in, so the panels don’t typically splinter or crack, which is because the water from the leak isn’t all of the same temperature. The cabinet doors aren’t going to burst apart or melt because of the low moisture levels.

MDF Cabinet Door Considerations

You should also know that the components that make up MDF cabinet doors will almost always weather off over time and will need to be re-stained and repainted. When you decide to replace your doors, you can get an option of having the doors replaced or having the entire cabinet doors replaced (with new hardware). There are times, though, when you want a whole new cabinet, and that’s when the standard replacement cabinets come in handy, which is because, generally, the replacement parts come with the extra hardware.

Another thing to keep in mind is that MDF cabinet doors have designs in a wide variety of patterns. Some companies will print out various materials and colours so that their customers can choose them in a sense. Some of these materials will then need to be finished by a professional painter, though, as they may be too heavy for MDF doors alone.

MDF Cabinet Door
Wooden cabinet doors. Wooden frame. Home library with classic design. Work in progress. Wooden furniture manufacturing process

If you’re a little confused about this, you might consider how a patterned material will look on the inside of a cabinet door, so that you can get a better idea of what might be available for your project. When you find a material that you like, you can make sure it matches the pattern you want for your doors, and also that it matches the colour you’re trying to get.

MDF cabinet doors are also pretty inexpensive and are available for purchase in your local hardware store. As long as you have a good budget set, you can find a cheap set of MDF cabinet doors to fit your needs. Usually, they’re made from simple quality wood, so they’ll look nice, but there will still be enough room for all your baubles and decorations to fit in.

The Right MDF Cabinet Doors

Choosing an MDF door for your project will be something that you will have to live with, however. It’s not the end of the world, but it will affect the overall style of your room. Your project will not, however, look any worse for it than a door made from inferior material, and that you’re replacing will cost a lot more money. It would be best if you also remembered that you could get a door that has a built-in frame, which will also provide you with a less expensive way to replace the cabinet doors in your room.

Now that you know some of the basics, you should know how to handle this decision. If you do decide to replace your MDF cabinet doors, just remember that it will be an essential part of your room’s decor.

Handhills is a cabinet maker and manufacturer serving central Alberta. We specialize in custom cabinet design and installation, closet design, bathroom vanities, bookcases, custom entertainment centers, kitchen cabinets, shelving, MDF cabinet doors, cabinet parts and more. Send us your measurements and get started with custom cabinets from Handhills. Call the best cabinet maker in Calgary today on (403) 910‐2373 or send an email to [email protected]