When it comes to any project, professional or DIY, choosing the right materials is crucial. After all, you don’t want to spend a lot of time and money on something that won’t last.

While MDF and plywood serve similar purposes in ways, each one differs in terms of their applications, design, and properties. This can be hard to distinguish for someone new to construction, but with this guide, you’ll leave feeling like a pro.

Stick with us as we guide you through the difference between MDF and plywood so you understand which one is best for your project. Browse our sheet building materials while you’re here for all of your interior and structural needs.

What is MDF?

Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a common material used in building construction. As an engineered wood product, wood fibres, resin, and wax are all combined using a method of high heat and pressure, forming a solid material.

It’s created by breaking down softwood or hardwood residuals into fibres that are then combined with a binder (typically a type of resin) and compressed into sheets.

The result is a smooth, dense, and uniform product that is beneficial for constructing furniture and completing household improvement projects. Unlike natural wood, MDF doesn’t have any visible grains, knots, or rings, making it the perfect surface for adding paint or veneer.

Common types of MDF

Like many other materials, MDF comes in various types that are best suited for different applications. Choosing the right one for your project means you’ll get the best-desired outcome (and save yourself time and money on repairs).

1. Standard MDF

The most common type of MDF, standard MDF, is made from wood fibres, resin, and wax; these materials are compressed to form a flat, dense board that is both strong and easy to work with.

Best for: Cabinetry, doors, panelling, and mouldings.

2. Moisture-resistant MDF (MR MDF)

If you’re looking for something that can handle high levels of humidity and environments with excessive moisture, then moisture-resistant MDF is your guy.

Unfortunately, this isn’t waterproof, but it does perform excellently in bathrooms and kitchens, where water exposure is unavoidable.

Best for: Kitchens, bathrooms, and areas exposed to high levels of moisture.

3. Fire-retardant MDF (FR MDF)

As you can probably guess, fire-retardant MDF is beneficial for ensuring buildings meet fire safety standards. This is especially important for commercial and industrial builds.

FR MDF is treated with a fire-resistant additive, which reduces flammability and helps to slow down the spread of fire.

Best for: Commercial, industrial, and public buildings where fire safety is a concern.

What is plywood?

Similar to MDF, plywood is another type of engineered wood that is made by binding thin layers of wood veneer together with formaldehyde glue.

When compared to MDF, plywood is typically more expensive as it’s more durable and versatile. For this reason, it’s often a go-to choice for professional projects where quality and longevity are key.

Lower grades of plywood are more suitable for household projects, while higher grades are essential for projects that need to look and perform to the best standards. Plywood is available in a variety of wood species (pine, birch, oak, etc.), which means knots, grains, and rings are visible.

Types of plywood

Plywood is available in everything from low-quality utility plywood that’s more common for subflooring or structural purposes to high-quality, decorative plywood, often used in furniture and cabinetry.

Some of the most common types include:

1. Softwood plywood

This includes plywood that is made from wood types like pine, spruce, or fir, which is less expensive for budget projects.

Softwood plywood tends to be more common for structural applications or furniture making.

Best for: Subfloors, roofing, floor panels, garden furniture, and interior furniture.

2. Hardwood plywood

Hardwood plywood, such as our Hardwood Plywood 2440 x 1220 x 5.5mm (Poplar core)

refers to plywood made from oak, maple, or birch, offering both great durability and a visually appealing finish.

For this reason, it’s favoured for interior design, such as high-end furniture, wall panels, and cabinetry. It’s also a popular choice for flooring in factories and work environments.

Best for: Cabinetry, interior joinery, wall panels, and furniture.

3. Marine plywood

Marine plywood, such as our Far East Marine Plywood 2440 x 1220 x 6mm is a high-quality material that is treated to withstand high levels of moisture exposure.

As hinted in its name, it’s commonly used for boats and ships to ensure the structure remains strong and resistant to prolonged water exposure. It’s less prone to warping and can withstand heavy traffic.

Best for: Marine and waterfront structures, boat building, outdoor furniture, and buildings in coastal areas.

Comparing MDF and plywood

Now that we’ve addressed what each type of material is, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty details so you can decide what choice is best for your project.

To make it easier, we’ve created a table comparing the properties of MDF and plywood below.

Property	Medium-density fibreboard (MDF)	Plywood
Strength	MDF is strong and durable, yet it’s more prone to breaking or sagging under heavy load.	Strong, durable, and resistant plywood generally lasts longer
Surface quality	This is the better choice for painting or veneering, as it has a smooth surface. For this reason, it’s better for decorative purposes.	As it features wood grains and knots, it’s more difficult to paint over. It’ll require more finishing for a smoother appearance.
Cost	A better choice for budget-friendly projects than plywood, as it’s generally cheaper.	This tends to be more expensive, especially for higher-grade or specially treated plywood.
Moisture resistance	It’s easily warped and damaged when it comes in contact with moisture. While it offers moisture resistance once sealed, it’s still not as reliable as plywood.	It’s less susceptible to water damage, making it a better choice for moisture-prone areas. Plywood is unlikely to warp or shrink, especially marine plywood.
Workability	MDF is easy to cut, shape, and manipulate, making it a great choice for furniture with various patterns. It’s also less likely to splinter when drilled. However, the fine particles made it harder to screws to grip.	Plywood is more difficult to cut and manipulate because of its various layers that splinter when cut. It’s not as effective for intricate applications. However, it holds screws better due to the grains.
Weight	Due to its density, MDF is heavier and, therefore, more difficult to handle than plywood.	This is lighter than MDF, making it easier to handle and work with. However, thicker boards will weigh more.
Suitability for structural use	MDF isn’t as suitable for structural or weight-bearing applications as plywood. Its lack of crossed grains means it’s more likely to sag over time.	Plywood is ideal for structural uses such as framing, flooring, and roofing due to its exceptional strength. The crossed layers make it less prone to cracking and warping.
Environmental resistance	To hold well outdoors and resist the natural elements, MDF requires special treatment, as it’s more likely to warp.	The glue used for plywood holds better under high levels of moisture, especially for marine plywood.

When to choose MDF…

For building cabinets, drawers, and doors, as it’s smooth and easy to cut and paint.
For creating modern pieces of furniture, especially flat-packed items. It’s perfect for smooth and minimalistic designs.
For creating wall cladding, partitioning, or acoustic treatments for interior spaces.
For designing decorative panels and crown mouldings; it can hold fine detailing and be easily manipulated to create decorative trims.

When to choose plywood…

For constructing subfloors, exterior cladding, and roof decks for both commercial and residential properties.
For designing furniture like cabinets, bookshelves, chairs, and tables (it’s a DIY’er dream material)
For creating decorative wall panels, doors, and partitions; it offers a variety of finishes, perfect for an interior designer.
For manufacturing packaging and crates to protect goods during transit.