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.cabinetrefacingtogo.com

[@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.

[@SunSun-hk8eg]

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

[@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🥰

[@CocoaDivineTV]

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

[@mexicanjohns]

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

[@alexbilotta5305]

Wonderful video. Thank you!

[@lakelife5467]

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

[@kimanzaldorusso652]

Amazing description, so helpful . thank you

[@irisvalladares2963]

Great explanation!

[@nedaderakhshan9164]

Very informative video, thank you!

[@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

[@user-eg1kb6sb1k]

very clear!!

[@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.

[@jasonrealestate3819]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@Tohamaalghirbia]

Thanks for the useful information.

[@ntaconst.3674]

Thank you very much - very helpful.

[@ChicagoLisa007]

Thank you, very informative 👍

[@christinalynam870]

Thank you! Very clear explanation

[@cabinetrefacingtogo6727]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rogerslaw4459]

thanks for your explaination😀

[@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?

[@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.

[@gateslattes4686]

Thanks!

[@memmis2006]

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

[@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.

[@TruthDefender]

VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERY INFORMATIVE

[@pravingnanam3115]

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

[@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.)

[@cookingmadesimple5395]

Thx

[@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.

[@RobyWanKenobi]

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

[@teac117]

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

[@srithangavadivel8161]

Clear

[@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?

[@annieware1167]

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

[@PrestigeWorldWide777]

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

[@farahsheikh605]

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

[@sagittariusmax5419]

very nice! so i guess wood is still superior

[@susel_vazquez_acuna]

What about plywood?

[@tatchik77]

What is the difference between particle board & MDF?

[@user-ux3mg1wi9b]

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

[@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

[@Latuya75]

There is waterproof mdf.