MDF, HDF, Thermofoil, Laminate, Wood - Different Materials Explained

Cabinet door materials can be so confusing. This is mainly because contractors and suppliers are not consistent in naming these materials. 99% of the cabinet doors are made of either of these 2 materials: MDF (medium-density fibreboard) or wood.
Medium-density fibreboard or MDF is a very common material. There are different kinds of MDF doors: Painted MDF, thermofoil doors, and laminated doors are all made with an MDF core. The MDF door can be characterized by the following features:
🚪 Painted MDF is a one-piece door.
🚪 MDF doors are the most durable door IF not chipped
🚪 Thermofoil doors do not last long and show discoloration over time
🚪 Hard laminate doors are UV-resistant, easy to clean, and can take more beating. However, the style option is limited to the plain slab door.
Another material option is wood, which comes in two options: painted or stained.
🚪 Painted wood doors usually consist of a 5 pieces
🚪 Painted woods can handle water better than MDF
🚪 Stained wood comes in a darker shade
🚪 Stained wood looks classic and elegant
For more information about cabinet doors, follow us on Instagram / cabinetrefacingtogo or visit our website at www.cabinetref...

[@Jopacob]

It is rare and very useful to have such an honest and comprehensive review of all the options on cabinets. Thank you… this was time well spent.

[@espinozanovak831]

I put thermofoil doors in one condo 13 years ago and laminate doors in another at the same time. Contrary to this video, the thermofoil doors still look new, the laminate doors are peeling and expanding from moisture and I've been replacing them. I guess it depends on the manufacturer

[@mrs.ladylesure2254]

Thank you, I think I am staying with my wood cabinets. To replace wood & pay more for a cheaper material, just don’t make sense. You just made it clear to me🥰

[@deweytaylor]

Informative! but why isnt laminate or thermofoil available applied to plywood to help with the moisture issues?

[@irisvalladares2963]

Great explanation!

[@CocoaDivineTV]

Such a helpful video!! Thank you so much!! 😃

[@Scdoo100]

Thanks for the informative video!

[@ggrimm79]

Thanks for the informative video.

[@WhimsyWhisper-ys2yd]

How do you tell what you already own: I can’t figure out if I have white painted mdf or white vinyl med. Are there any clues I can use? (I want to repaint so I need to know which material to know how to properly paint them.)

[@JS-wo5pk]

Very, very informative!

[@Obiwankevoni]

Thank you for your very informative video. I am redoing my kitchen cabinets and was wavering between painted wood doors and MDF. In your video, you mention you may see minor cracks appear in painted wood cabinets in the first year, but then I was not sure of the rest of your sentence. It sounded like you were saying cracks may appear but then they stay more or less the same. In other words, they do not get larger and larger each year (unless defective). Is that correct?

[@PureSpirit347]

Excellent...thak you so much!

[@lakelife5467]

Great video
Very detailed explanation of the type of materials used to make cabinet doors.

[@abeerali5387]

Thanks for information. I bought kitchen cabines the door made of HDF and inside made of mdf the dor covered with vinyl and start to peel.. is there perfect solution to fixed? can I paint it after peel the door completely

[@bridgettstephens5582]

I love you😂. I've been racking my brain attempting to determine what material my cabinets are made of. The catch for me is the era of cabinets (70's or 80's?). The cabinets have the seams but can the appearance of seams alone determine wood v.other types of materials? I desperately want to refinish the cabinets but fearful if they aren't wood sanding will destroy them.

[@onecompass7290]

Thank you! I live in a very hot dry desert area of the southwest of AZ....seems like the vinyl won't hold up.

[@judymata6846]

Very informative...thank you!

[@mexicanjohns]

Excellent Video!! Thank you!! You answered all my questions and helped me make my decision.

[@pravingnanam3115]

Wardrobes & Cots which one is better? HDF with laminate or HMR Particle board with laminate?

[@kimanzaldorusso652]

Amazing description, so helpful . thank you

[@alexbilotta5305]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@poonamshah6507]

Thank you so much with this video. We have been fleeced by our kitchen designer/fitter. He has effectively supplied and fitted laminated chipboard doors and carcasses throughout our kitchen and we have paid the price of a high end, bespoke kitchen. He has committed daylight robbery. We will take action.

[@SunSun-hk8eg]

Excellent video.
Very well explained.
Thanks for sharing.
👍👍👍👍👍

[@Tohamaalghirbia]

Thanks for the useful information.

[@ggstevie]

So so helpful. If I am doing a slab white door, do you recommend painted MDF or laminated mdf? Is there peeling risk with laminate?

[@marcomarcello3337]

Do you live in a high humidity area?...I'm in Houston TX...very high humidity...I would stay away...unless of course I was in say New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado etc...very dry and easier on MDF. Hope this helps.

[@farahsheikh605]

High glossy soft close cabinet which material is good morona vs mdf glossy cabinet.. Which one more pricy

[@teac117]

Do they make MDO core doors for wet areas like under the sink?

[@rogerslaw4459]

thanks for your explaination😀

[@memmis2006]

Thank you very much. This explains things very clearly. Wood it is then, lol.

[@vishjoshi8804]

Thanks for the video, making a decision on MDF Thermal Foil Wrap versus MDF Painted. Basically the same price. Should I go MDF or HDF?

[@Annwutsfar]

MDF and HDF are the same thing. I would go with painted

[@nedaderakhshan9164]

Very informative video, thank you!

[@jasonrealestate3819]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@ChicagoLisa007]

Thank you, very informative 👍

[@christinalynam870]

Thank you! Very clear explanation

[@cabinetrefacingtogo6727]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dordorso8245]

Thank you

[@АлександраАндреева-п6ц]

very clear!!

[@ntaconst.3674]

Thank you very much - very helpful.

[@RobyWanKenobi]

There is a big difference between Home Depot MDF and HDF similar to Medex.

[@gateslattes4686]

Thanks!

[@PrestigeWorldWide777]

My home is 5 years old. The cabinets are all peeling. Need to figure out a solution

[@TruthDefender]

VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERY INFORMATIVE

[@tatchik77]

What is the difference between particle board & MDF?

[@朱柏林-i6y]

particle board can't used as door, it only used as box interior. MDF can used as door.

[@susel_vazquez_acuna]

What about plywood?

[@sagittariusmax5419]

very nice! so i guess wood is still superior

[@cookingmadesimple5395]

Thx

[@srithangavadivel8161]

Clear

[@RobertLee-p1m]

Agnes Highway

[@JeroldSaunder]

7957 Wyman Mountain

[@Bonjour-World]

The word "Thermofoil" implies a metal component. I was totally unaware that it was pure vinyl. DEAL BREAKER !!!

[@VoiceboxVindaloo69420]

U LOOK LIKE HULK!!!!!!!1