HPL vs. MDF

13 May.,2024

 

HPL vs. MDF

HPL and MDF are both budget-friendly alternatives to real wood. Each product has its own characteristics but they have much in common, so it can be difficult to decide which is most suitable for the project you have in mind. To help you make up your mind, we’ve taken a closer look at the properties of HPL and MDF to help you make your decision.

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MDF: versatile and flexible

MDF or medium density fibreboard is a sheet material that resembles traditional chipboard. The panels consist of a mixture of finely ground wood chips and resin, which is pressed into a sheet. MDF is lightweight but very strong and is much cheaper than solid wood. This material is suitable for many different applications, for example, doors, laminate boards and furniture.

The main advantages of MDF:

  • Easy to process
  • Splinter free
  • Flexible: has a high breaking point
  • Easier to glue than wood
  • Very durable
  • Stable under fluctuations in temperature

One disadvantage of MDF panels is that most versions are not water-resistant. The material can bend under a heavy load. If this occurs, it’s no longer possible to bend the panel back to its original shape. For this reason, MDF should not be used for making a cabinet, for example, as the panels will sag if there is too much weight on them. Lastly, MDF is less suitable for painting than timber because the paint is absorbed more quickly.

Variants of MDF

As well as the standard panel, which can be recognised by its light brown colour, several other types of MDF are available. These have been developed for specific applications, including water-resistant MDF sheets, fire-retardant sheets and MDF panels that have been specially developed for exterior applications.

HPL: a very strong sandwich panel

HPL or high-pressure laminate panels consist of several layers of pressed wood fibres combined with resin. The layers are compressed at a high temperature and under high pressure to create a very strong and durable panel. Both sides of the panel are then finished with an extremely hard top layer. HPL is used commonly used for billboards and wall cladding. The advantages of this material include:

  • Extremely strong
  • Low maintenance
  • Weather-resistant
  • Long-lasting
  • Rigid
  • Available in a wide range of colours and finishes

One disadvantage of HPL is that the panels aren’t resistant to heat. And thanks to the strength and rigidity of the material, HPL is more difficult to machine than MDF.

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Variants of HPL

The most well-known manufacturer of HPL sheets, Trespa®, has developed a range of product lines specially designed for various applications. Trespa® Izeon® is a solid panel that is particularly well suited for façades. Trespa® Toplab® is used for environments where hygiene is important, such as labs and hospitals. We also supply Trespa®Meteon® sheets, which are most appropriate for exterior applications.

HPL Panels

HPL sheets are suitable for many different applications. They are used both indoors and outdoors and, thanks to a wide range of HPL colours, fit almost anywhere. Whatever your job, if you are looking for a strong and smooth material, HPL is a good choice. The plastic sheets are used for

Fascias and cladding
HPL is a very practical material for finishing gutters and eaves. Unlike wood, HPL sheets require almost no maintenance. In addition, plastic sheets last much longer and are therefore a more sustainable choice. With sustainable building in mind, HPL is increasingly HPL is increasingly being used in new builds and renovations of offices, commercial premises and homes.

Billboards, signs and exhibition stands HPL panels have a smooth and hard surface, which makes them suitable for printing or sticking on. The material can take a beating and is therefore an excellent basis for billboards that last for years. HPL is also used to make signposts and exhibition stands.

Interior finishing and wall covering HPL is available in many different colours, so that you can find the right plate for every interior. Especially in public and frequently used areas, such as shops and offices, the material offers great ease of maintenance. But also in private homes, HPL sheets are regularly used because of the HPL panels are also regularly used in private homes, because of the sleek look and beautiful finish.

Sanitary walls
Because of its extreme durability, moisture resistance and ease of maintenance HPL is often used for sanitary walls. You can think of shower cabins, toilet cubicles and walls in changing rooms.

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