MDF vs Particle Board
MDF is made of fine wood fibres pressed with resin, while particle board (chipboard) is made of larger wood chips. That one difference explains most of the rest: MDF is denser, smoother, heavier and better for paint; particle board is lighter, cheaper and, when covered with melamine, the most common material in flat-pack and kitchen furniture.
Side-by-side comparison
| Compared | MDF | Particle board |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | Fine wood fibres + resin | Wood chips + resin |
| Density | 700–800 kg/m³ | 600–700 kg/m³ |
| Surface | Very smooth | Rough (usually covered) |
| Edges | Dense, can be routed and painted | Coarse, need edge banding |
| Screw holding | Good on faces, fair on edges | Fair on faces, weak on edges |
| Water | Swells (MR grade resists humidity) | Swells and crumbles |
| Weight, 18 mm 2440 × 1220 | about 40 kg | about 35 kg |
| Price | Higher | Lowest |
| Best for | Painted doors, routed panels, carcasses | Melamine carcasses, hidden parts |
When to choose MDF
- Painted furniture. MDF has no grain to show through paint. Seal the cut edges first because they soak up paint.
- Doors and drawer fronts that need a routed profile.
- Parts that must stay flat, such as large panels and sliding doors.
When to choose particle board
- Melamine furniture. Melamine-faced chipboard (MFC) is ready finished: cut, band the edges, assemble.
- Budget projects and hidden parts, where weight and price matter more than looks.
Strength and shelves
Neither material is as stiff as plywood. An 18 mm shelf of either loaded with books starts to sag beyond about 700–800 mm. If you need longer spans, add a divider, use thicker board or choose plywood. Our bookshelf plan warns you when a shelf is too long.
Screws and joints
Particle board is the weaker of the two at the edges. Use screws made for chipboard (coarse thread) or confirmat screws, pre-drill, and glue the joints. MDF holds better, but it can still split if you screw close to an edge without a pilot hole.
Moisture
Both swell when water gets into an unsealed edge. In kitchens and bathrooms, use moisture-resistant (MR) grades, recognisable by their green core, and band every edge around sinks.
The short answer
Choose melamine-faced particle board for cabinet and wardrobe carcasses on a budget, MDF for anything you will paint, and plywood where strength and long spans matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is particle board the same as MDF?
No. Both are wood-based sheets, but MDF is made from fine fibres and is denser and smoother; particle board is made from coarser chips.
Which is stronger, MDF or particle board?
MDF is denser and holds screws better. Particle board is lighter and cheaper but its edges are weaker.
Which is better for kitchen cabinets?
Melamine-faced particle board is the most common carcass material because it is pre-finished and cheap. MDF is better for painted doors.
Can you paint particle board?
Raw particle board paints poorly because of its rough surface. MDF paints very well after sealing the edges.
What is the difference between MDF and chipboard?
Chipboard is the British name for particle board, so the difference is the same: MDF is made of fine fibres and is smooth, dense and good for paint; chipboard is made of coarser chips, is lighter and cheaper, and is usually faced with melamine.