What is MDF?
MDF is a man-made panel product that is produced from the residuals from various timber processing industries such as sawmills and post and pole production, etc. Wood chips, sawdust and smaller, unusable branches from trees are also used to make MDF.
Manufacturers of MDF break down these materials into fine fibres and then compress them with wax and resin under high pressure and heat to produce the boards.
Thanks to its stability, strength and smooth faces, MDF is perfect for a wide range of projects including cabinetry, shelving, furniture, panelling, and much more.
What is pre-cut MDF?
Pre-cut MDF refers to a process where MDF boards are cut to size, off site, and then delivered to your project’s location. The benefit is that you can order MDF pre-cut panels in the exact size you require rather than purchasing full-sized boards and doing the cutting yourself.
We offer a wide selection of pre-cut MDF panel products delivered direct to your door, including standard, moisture-resistant, melamine-faced, anti-fingerprint ultra-matt, real wood veneered and Valchromat Coloured MDF.
Whether you are making kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, alcove units, media walls or craft panels, having your MDF cut to size will streamline the entire process.
Why choose pre-cut MDF?
Whether you are working on a large or a small project, there are many reasons why you should choose to buy pre-cut MDF:
Time saving
Choosing pre-cut MDF means you can measure, order and then, once delivered, proceed with your project. No setup time, no sawing, no mess, no offcuts to dispose of – basically, a lot less hassle. With custom-cut MDF, your materials conveniently arrive ready to assemble, install and finish.
This service is ideal for professionals with tight deadlines, who would prefer to spend time installing rather than cutting. For DIY enthusiasts, it is a clean and simple way to get the job done without the fuss and mess of handling and cutting full-size sheets.
Cost-efficient
When choosing MDF cut to size, you only pay for what you need. This helps you manage your budget more effectively, especially when you add up the savings on tools, time, effort and waste. Regardless of your project’s size, this option makes a lot of sense.
Precision every time
Our cutting technology ensures millimetre-perfect accuracy, which is especially important for projects that need a seamless finish or custom fit. If you’ve ever asked, “Where can I get MDF cut to size?” CNC Creations is your answer for reliability and precision.
Easy to handle
Full-size MDF boards can be heavy and difficult to handle, especially in home workshops or small spaces. Pre-cut boards are easier to have delivered, transport, lift and store. This makes them perfect for compact environments and single-handed projects.
Ideal for smaller projects
When working on smaller projects like building shelves, toy boxes, speaker boxes or shaker-style wall panelling, pre-cut MDF saves you the hassle of managing oversized sheets for small-scale needs. There is no waste, no dust, no hassle, just the pieces you need, when you need them.
Environmental considerations
Whilst choosing pre-cut MDF online is far more convenient, it is also more sustainable. When you order custom-cut MDF, you reduce excess material that might otherwise go unused or end up as offcuts in your bin.
You only pay for the MDF you need. Larger offcuts are used to fulfil other orders, whilst smaller offcuts, and the sawdust, are fed into our biomass heating system to heat the offices and production space. Apart from a surprisingly small amount of wood ash, literally zero wood waste ends up in landfill.
Tips for working with pre-cut MDF
Getting the most out of your MDF pre-cut boards is all about using the right tools and finishing techniques. Here are some expert tips to help…
Health & Safety
When cutting, drilling, machining or sanding MDF, a suitable dust mask and protective eyewear should be worn and adequate ventilation (an open window, for example) provided.
Power tools such as saws, routers and sanders should always be connected to a suitable dust extraction device or system.
If additional drilling, cutting, machining or sanding is required, please get in touch as this is a service we can provide.
Painting and finishing MDF
Below is a quick overview of how to achieve a high-quality finish on painted MDF projects:
Choosing the right MDF
A good-quality, moisture-resistant MDF will save you time on preparation. Because of its high density, we would strongly recommend Finsa Hidrofugo for any painted MDF project.
Preparing MDF for painting
Before painting, you will need to sand the edges of the board before the first coat and in between each subsequent coat. The number of coats required will depend on the quality of finish you wish to achieve on the edges. The face of the MDF will only need a light sanding and at least two coats of paint.
If painting a lightweight or standard MDF, we can apply a paintable edging strip to the visible edges. Doing this will negate the need for any edge sanding.
Which paint for MDF?
If it is prepared correctly, you can paint MDF with pretty much any paint you wish. The most likely paint for an interior project will either be an emulsion or a water or oil-based primer and topcoat.
You can apply emulsion directly to the edge and face of the panels with no need for a primer. Water and oil-based paints such as eggshell, satin, and gloss, for example, can be primed using a water-based primer such as Dulux’s Quick Dry Wood Primer Undercoat.
Pre-cut MDF from CNC Creations
Here at CNC Creations, we supply clean, precise pre-cut MDF panels from the leading manufacturers. Our exceptional service, coupled with nationwide delivery, means less time cutting and clearing up, leaving more time for the rest of your project.
This is all backed by a highly responsive and friendly technical sales team and industry-leading customer service.Ready to get started? Explore our MDF Cut to Size range and let CNC Creations help turn your vision into reality.
