MDF tongue and groove as a kitchen splashback??

little me

Hi,

I would love some t&g paneling along the kitchen wall and behind the hob. I know you can get the PVC stuff in B&Q, but would it be OK to use the MDF type instead, which will be painted?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,
Littleme.

paddy147

little me wrote: »

Hi,

I would love some t&g paneling along the kitchen wall and behind the hob. I know you can get the PVC stuff in B&Q, but would it be OK to use the MDF type instead, which will be painted?

Any advice would be great!

Thanks,
Littleme.

I wouldnt use MDF for a splashback in a kitchen.

MDF swells up like a baloon when it gets moisture and damp/wet into it.

Once it swells up its totally fcuked.

CJhaughey

Personally I wouldn't use any kind of MDF or T&G as a splashback, MDF is not really durable enough and wood is a bit flammable for this application IMHO not to mention the grooves will be hard to clean.
Tiles, Glass or Stainless would be the best materials for durability and ease of cleaning.

little me

Thanks for your advice guys. Anyone use that PVC cladding that B&Q sell? Its for kitchen splashbacks and bathrooms, so able to deal with the water/moisture. Just wondering if it looks just as good as the wood/mdf type??

Thanks

Carpenter

Would you think about Tgv with glass over it sealed with silicone I have never seen it done and don't know if it would work but it would be nice

paddy147

little me wrote: »

Thanks for your advice guys. Anyone use that PVC cladding that B&Q sell? Its for kitchen splashbacks and bathrooms, so able to deal with the water/moisture. Just wondering if it looks just as good as the wood/mdf type??

Thanks

The slightest knock or bang off the PVC cladding and it will crack and split.

Its not as great as it sounds.

You would be better off getting a good deal on some nice tiles and either tile the area yourself or get a tiler to do it for you (around 15-20 euro a square meter).

Far superior and better long term solution.

Happyman42

Medite MDF is fully waterproof, doesn't swell or bloat. Don't know if it comes in T&G, but if you where handy with a router you could easily simulate it. Would need constant upkeep though, but it paints up quite well.

builditwell

MDF is absolutely not waterproof regardless of how or what its is painted with. Placing this product in the area the original poster mentioned would be a waste of time and money. In no time at all steam and ambient moisture in the kitchen will swell this up. Tiles or a cut glass splashback would be ideal for this. Easy to wipe and keep clean .

cheif kaiser

I have use T&G timber cladding in a kitchen and never found it a problem, I have also used it in a bathroom as a bath panel. Once you paint it with a good quality paint it will protect it against moisture. They used to have packs of 10 in woodies not so long ago for €20.

ted1

builditwell wrote: »

MDF is absolutely not waterproof regardless of how or what its is painted with. Placing this product in the area the original poster mentioned would be a waste of time and money. In no time at all steam and ambient moisture in the kitchen will swell this up. Tiles or a cut glass splashback would be ideal for this. Easy to wipe and keep clean .

As stated above Medite have launched a range of Waterproof MDF, it's pricer than normal I think it's the arco range.

Happyman42

builditwell wrote: »

MDF is absolutely not waterproof regardless of how or what its is painted with. Placing this product in the area the original poster mentioned would be a waste of time and money. In no time at all steam and ambient moisture in the kitchen will swell this up. Tiles or a cut glass splashback would be ideal for this. Easy to wipe and keep clean .

:rolleyes: Why are you offering advice if you don't know what you are talking about? Medite MDF is waterproof and will not swell or bloat.
http://www.medite-europe.com/en/products_exterior.php

ted1

It's the tricoca range I mean
http://medite-europe.com/meditetricoya/index.asp

Boiled-egg

MDF is a no no in a location such as a splash back, PVC in your kitchen ! I know my wife would skin me if I put up PVC in the kitchen. Why not try the 10mm deal t&g boards available in most DIY shops. Then do a bit if research into the correct finish for a location such as a splash back.
Best of luck.

builditwell

At no point in the literature or PDF documents from Coillte does the word "waterproof" appear. The board is made of a stronger than normal urethane resin and the usual mdf ingredients. Thy do state that this is moisture resistant and will swell and contract like all normal timbers exposed to the elements. As a long time contractor this is a completly unsuitable product for a kitchen or bathroom.

ted1

I think this statement covers it


Wet interiors, including wall linings in swimming pools, bathrooms, wet rooms, changing rooms...
Look through The micro site I posted

Happyman42

builditwell wrote: »

As a long time contractor this is a completly unsuitable product for a kitchen or bathroom.

You say this, regardless of the fact that it used in kitchens and bathrooms all the time without problems?
I have an untreated foot square piece pinned on an exposed area of my workshop fascia for nearly 10 years and it hasn't degraded or delaminated one shred. I have also made numerous outdoor painted products with it and it is all as good as new. Never had a comeback with it, it outperforms all other timbers I have used and holds on to paint better than hardwoods.

little me

Thanks guys for all your advice! 8)

Boiled-egg

builditwell wrote: »

At no point in the literature or PDF documents from Coillte does the word "waterproof" appear. The board is made of a stronger than normal urethane resin and the usual mdf ingredients. Thy do state that this is moisture resistant and will swell and contract like all normal timbers exposed to the elements. As a long time contractor this is a completly unsuitable product for a kitchen or bathroom.

Agreed.