As a professional building decoration material supplier, we understand the importance of choosing the right skirting board to complete your interior design and meet its functional needs. MDF and PVC are two commonly used skirting board materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages. This article will make an in-depth comparison to help you make an informed decision.
MDF skirting boards are made from wood fibres, resins, and waxes that are compressed under high pressure to form a dense and uniform board. This engineered wood product has a smooth surface that is ideal for painting and allows for a seamless finish in various interior styles.
As a commonly used floor decoration material, MDF skirting has unique product features, including:
1. Smooth Surface: Provides an excellent base for painting, resulting in a high-quality finish.
2. Uniform density: The material’s density is uniform to ensure consistent performance and reduce the possibility of warping or splitting.
3. Machinability: It is easy to cut and shape, making it easy to achieve complex designs and contours.
4. Cost-effective: Often more affordable than solid wood alternatives.
MDF skirting boards are a cost-effective material that offers many advantages:
1. Aesthetic diversity: MDF skirting boards can be painted in multiple colors to match interior decoration.
2. Stable material: It is less susceptible to expansion or contraction due to humidity changes than natural wood.
3. Easy to install: lightweight, easy to operate during installation.
Although MDF skirting board provides many benefits, it also has shortcomings due to the special nature of its material, including:
1. Moisture sensitivity: prone to swelling or damage when exposed to high humidity or water.
2. Lower impact resistance: It is more susceptible to dents and scratches than harder materials.
Limited durability: May not withstand heavy wear and tear over time.
PVC skirting is made from polyvinyl chloride resin powder, calcium carbonate, and various additives. This combination makes it a durable, lightweight, and waterproof material suitable for a variety of applications, especially in areas prone to moisture.
PVC skirting made of composite materials is more beautiful than traditional skirting, and its excellent product properties make it an ideal choice for modern home and commercial decoration projects. Its features include:
1. Waterproof: Highly resistant to moisture, perfect for wet areas.
2. Durability: resistant to wear, impact, and chemical corrosion.
3. Low maintenance: easy to clean, no painting or sealing required.
4. Cost-effective: Usually more affordable than wooden skirting boards.
PVC is a new type of floor decoration material, which is unmatched in lightweight, durability, and cost. Its advantages are:
1. Moisture-proof: suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
2. Durability: Can withstand daily wear and tear and maintain its appearance for a long time.
3. Easy to maintain: It can be easily cleaned with standard household cleaners.
4. Installation flexibility: lightweight, easy to install, suitable for DIY projects.
PVC skirting also has some disadvantages, and a full understanding of them will help you make the right choice.
1. Aesthetic limitations: May lack the natural look of wood, which can be a drawback for certain interior styles.
2. Thermal expansion: It will expand or contract with temperature changes, which may affect the long-term fit.
3. Environmental impact: As a plastic product, it may raise concerns about environmental sustainability.
Feature | MDF Skirting | PVC Skirting |
Appearance | Smooth, paintable | Limited finishes |
Waterproofness | Low | High |
Mildew Resistance | Low | High |
Insect Resistance | Moderate | High |
Flame Retardancy | Low | High |
Impact Resistance | Moderate | High |
Chemical Resistance | Low | High |
Cost | Moderate | Low |
Applicable Scenarios | Dry interiors | Moist environments |
When deciding between MDF and PVC skirting boards, consider the following factors:
1. Environment: For areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens, PVC skirting should be the first choice because of its excellent waterproof performance.
2. Aesthetic requirements: If a painted finish is desired to match a specific interior design, MDF skirting boards offer greater flexibility.
3. Durability Needed: In high-traffic areas or commercial settings, the durability of PVC skirting may be more appropriate.
4. Budget constraints: PVC skirting is generally more cost-effective, making it a practical choice for budget-conscious projects.
MDF and PVC skirting boards each have their advantages and are suitable for different uses. MDF skirting boards are ideal for dry, custom-painted interior spaces. In contrast, PVC skirting boards are better suited for wet areas and are durable and low-maintenance. Carefully evaluate the needs of your project and consider your budget and personal preferences to select the most appropriate skirting board material.
CREATEKING is a famous skirting board manufacturer in China. We offer a wide range of skirting board materials and models. We can provide highly flexible, customized solutions based on the uniqueness of your project. If you are renovating your house or looking for high-quality skirting board materials for a commercial project, you may wish to contact us.
Q1: Is MDF good for skirting boards?
A1: Very suitable. MDF skirting boards have a smooth surface, are not easy to damage, and are available in a variety of styles and sizes. However, it is not recommended to install in wet areas such as bathrooms or kitchens.
Q2: What are the disadvantages of MDF skirting?
A2: It has poor moisture resistance, easily absorbs water and swells, and has a poor ability to hold nails repeatedly.
Q3: Is MDF skirting better than PVC?
A4: Not really. The new PVC skirtings are made of composite materials, which are highly waterproof, durable, and have a wide range of finish options. In addition, their cost-effective advantages make them an ideal alternative to traditional skirtings.
Q4: What is MDF skirting made of?
A4: They are made by pressing materials such as wood chips or sawdust, resin, etc.
Q5: Can MDF skirting get wet?
A5: It cannot be in contact with water for a long time. Because of the special nature of its material, it is easy to absorb water and swell.
Q6: Why does MDF skirting go Mouldy?
A6: Mainly affected by the humid environment.
Q7: Which is cheaper, MDF or PVC?
A7: The price difference between MDF and PVC skirting boards is not obvious, but from the perspective of comprehensive performance comparison, PVC skirting boards have more advantages.
Q8: What are the disadvantages of PVC skirting?
A8: Its main disadvantage is the finishing effect. PVC skirtings with PVC coating technology or thermal transfer technology have some disadvantages. The surface film of the coated skirting is easy to fall off over time. And the skirting with thermal transfer technology is easy to fade over time. Therefore, its finishing effect cannot be 100% close to the appearance of wood or marble.
Q9: Is MDF skirting ok for bathrooms?
Q9: Not suitable.
