MDF wall panelling can transform the look of your home. It is easy to install within a short time and will upgrade your home instantly. Here is the complete guide to transforming your home with MDF.
What is MDF Wall Panelling?
MDF is short for medium-density fibreboard, a wood product made from hardwood and softwood fibres. The fibres are combined with resin and wax and formed into panels. The result is a strong, smooth material ready to transform your home.
With the correct material and preparation, wall panelling can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. The material does not warp or crack like solid wood and arrives ready for painting and decorating.
What styles of MDF are there?
MDF panels are available in a wide range of thicknesses, making it easy to choose the one that best fits your style. For most, panels between 6mm and 18 mm are ideal.
Some of the most popular styles include slabs of MDF, raised or recessed panels, and shaker-style panels. Shaker-style MDF panels are among the most popular as they have a classic design which is ideal for cabinet doors and wall panelling. They combine one slab for the centre panel and a second slab of MDF for the frame.
How to Order Shaker-Style Wall Panelling?
Ordering everything you need to install shaker-style wall panelling could not be easier with Cut Plastic Sheeting. Simply follow the steps below.
Measuring Your Wall
Start by measuring the wall you would like to decorate with MDF. It is important that you measure the whole length and width of your wall taking into account factors such as skirting boards, sockets etc. Once you have chosen your design make sure you map out where you want your panels to go and always consider the thickness of your MDF panel. It is important not to rush this stage and ensure you map put your design multiple times to ensure perfect results later on.
Ordering From Cut Plastic Sheeting
Once you have your measurements, simply specify dimensions, thickness, and quantity through our MDF Wall Panelling Strips product page. MDF boards will be cut to your exact specifications and arrive ready for you to start your project.
If you prefer to have a chat with the Cut Plastic Sheeting sales team, simply give us a call. We are happy to advise on the ideal thickness of MDF wall panelling for your project or answer any other questions.
How to Install Shaker Style Wall Panelling?
Once your pre-cut MDF wall panelling arrives, your DIY project really starts. Our step-by-step guide explains how to go about installing beautiful shaker-style panelling to upgrade your home instantly.
1. Prepare Your Wall
For best results, your walls need to be smooth without any lumps and bumps that could prevent the panelling from being attached evenly. You can use sandpaper or an electric sander to smooth any roughness and get your walls ready for the next step.
2. Map Out Your Panels
It may sound obvious but planning ahead and mapping your panels can make all the difference for a beautiful, even finish.
One of the best ways to ensure every panel has its place and the result matches your vision is to mark the exact location of each panel on your wall. That will make it easier to match panels and locations and avoid mistakes.
3. Glue & Caulk Panels
With your project mapped out on your wall, it is time to glue the boards to the wall. Start from the bottom and simply follow your outline from the previous step. This will help you avoid missing corners or other parts, which could lead to a less-than-satisfactory result.
Once your boards are stuck to the wall, you need to fill in any unsightly gaps between them. Wait until the glue has dried fully and then check for any gaps. Caulk is ideal for this filling job because it is a flexible filling material. As your boards contract or expand slightly, caulk expands with them, leaving you with a smooth and even finish.
4. Prime MDF Strips
Priming your MDF strips is at least as important as the final paint job. Without a high-quality primer, the porous MDF panels will simply absorb the paint. You will be left with paint bubbles on the surface rather than the beautiful finish you are after.
Glue and caulk need to be dried completely before you can start priming your panels. Choose a high-quality primer to seal your MDF panels and plan on applying two or three coats. Let each coat dry before applying the next for best results.
5. Paint MDF Strips
Finally, time to paint your shaker-style MDF panelling. Once again, it is critical to wait until the last coat of primer has fully dried.
If your panels are well primed, any type of paint will result in a great finish. Simply choose your favourite colour and finish! Take care when painting your panels to distribute the paint evenly to cover all corners and avoid patchy-looking areas.
Wall Panelling FAQS
CT1 is one of the best adhesive solutions currently available. This type of glue bonds with all types of wood without the need for additional fixings and fittings. Plus, CT1 will not warp or become less effective over time.
At Cut Plastic Sheeting, we offer MDF wall panelling in thicknesses ranging from 3mm to 30mm. However, most DIY wall panelling projects work best with thicknesses between 6mm and 18mm. Talk to our team if you need expert advice.
MDF panelling is moisture-resistant, but it is not waterproof. To waterproof your MDF panels, you simply need to paint them with waterproof paint that is suitable for bathrooms. In short, with the right kind of preparation, you can use MDF in bathrooms.
Final Thoughts
MDF is one of the most versatile, cost-effective materials to help you decorate and transform your home. Whether you are looking to create a stunning wooden feature wall in your living room or add a classic touch to your home, MDF panelling has a wide range of solutions for you. It is easy to use, and with our pre-cut panels, you can get to work on your project straight away.
For more information on Acrylic, Perspex, MDF, Dibond and Polycarbonate please visit our Guide and Blog sections of the website.
Cut Plastic Sheeting are based on the south Coast in Ivybridge, Devon UK. We have a full manufacturing facility which enables us to offer Cut To Size Acrylic as well as Cut To Size MDF. Shop our full range of products, including our Clear Acrylic, coloured acrylic and more recent MDF Wood Sheet ranges.
Our Team are always here to help with any enquiry, please send us an email or for more urgent needs give us a call – Contact Us
