Why MDF?


There are a lot of things that people do simply because that’s the way it has always been done. That doesn’t mean it is the best way, or the right way.

Over 100,000 Happy Customers

Here at Murphy Door, we have over 100,000 happy customers around the globe. This means if we deliver an inferior product, we will be at a high risk of warranties overtaking our production. Because of this we stay up to date on current manufacturing trends as well as engineering to ensure our customers get the very best product possible. Murphy Door has direct contact with the Engineers at our lumber manufacturers, who spend all their time insuring we can give our customers the best product possible and giving our customers a lifetime of use.

Murphy Door invests heavily into Research and Development. Especially on the engineering and design of materials available for our product and their intended use. Wood is the main component in our products, and the types of woods we use and where we use them, is scientifically engineered.

Solid Wood?

We understand many of our competitors use plywood and some refer to it as Solid Wood, which it is NOT. Like MDF, Plywood is an engineered panel. And like MDF, the uses and functions vary dramatically. The types sold at your big box stores are all based around price. So naturally they will be the cheapest and lowest performing options available. Murphy Door only uses the highest tested and top performing materials on the market.

MDF stands for medium density fiber. Inside this description sits many different grades. Some of these lower grades you will find at your local big box store, that are built for low-cost pricing strategies and use resins and waxes that are susceptible to moisture and can break easily.  

Higher grade MDF that are purpose driven are bound with glues and resins much like a superglue that will not come apart unless burned. These MDF do not absorb moisture into the resin base and thus will not separate or warp due to moisture. These resins, glues, and waxes are pressed at extremely high heat and pressure to increase their breaking point up to 5,000 PSI.

Murphy Door uses only the highest-grade materials, in which we spec directly with the manufacturers to deliver a lifetime of use and satisfaction. Murphy Door NEVER purchases materials directly from your local big box store, these companies cannot guarantee the specs demanded by us, and our customers!

More Environmentally Friendly

Murphy Door has also decided to focus on MDF to be as environmentally friendly as possible. MDF is produced by the chips and dust created by scrap, which is then ground to our exact specifications to produce the break strength we demand. Murphy Door wants to minimize the de-foresting of new timber as well and optimize the end of cycle materials, while still delivering the top-quality products we are known for.

There are some solid hardwood and softwoods that are prone to swelling, bowing, and splitting. These woods are rarely recommended to be used in cabinet manufacturing today. Other than a couple components like face frame and cabinet doors, Manufacturers have embraced the use of composite materials which have made and continue to make advancements over time and will continue to deliver better ways to build products.

Murphy Door uses a blend of “Real Wood” and MDF in our production. But due to their nature of warpage we bind these using glue and screws to an engineered panel to insure they hold their shape and never warp. The face frame and cabinet doors are solid hardwood.      

Plywood Expansion Gaps

Delamination

MDF Solid Composition

Plywood - An Engineered Wood Composite

Plywood, created in 1865, is a material manufactured from thin layers or "plies" of wood veneer that is glued together. Not much has changed in the process, and problems arise with expansion gaps that are found within sheets. Plywood, like all wood products, expands and shrinks with changes in moisture levels. This expansion and contraction is the number one cause of delamination, an unsightly problem that is not easily fixed.

MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard - A Superior Wood Composite

MDF, made with hardwood and softwood fibers, was introduced in 1960. Wood fibers are glued together using a wax and resin adhesive, then made into panels by applying high temperature and pressure. Unlike plywood, MDF panels are a solid composition and will not warp, crack, or split. MDF expands and contracts when there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity, but because of its structure it moves as a unit. Even with extreme changes in humidity and temperature, you won't have to worry about delamination and damage to your door.

MDF's superior characteristic are the reason it has been embraced by most cabinet manufacturers today. Our high-quality construction pairs MDF panels with wood veneers delivering the best door possible. The face frame, cabinet doors, and top casing are constructed with solid hardwood.

Moisture Resistant Paint Grade MDF

Our latest MDF offering takes it to the next level! Moisture Resistant Paint Grade MDF offers superior moisture resistance and make it a great choice for doors that will be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or other high-humidity areas in your home.