Painted MDF Doors
Why MDF for a Painted Door
MDF has no grain, and that is the whole point of it under paint. Nothing telegraphs through the finish as it ages, so a slab door stays flat-looking and a shaker rail does not develop a grain line down the middle. A painted wood door and a painted MDF door do not look the same after five years.
It is also stable. The panel is engineered rather than grown, so it does not move with the seasons the way solid timber does. Doors stay square and the finish stays intact at the joints.
Finishes and Colours
We spray from a satin finish through to high-gloss polyurethane. Satin is the usual choice and hides marks best. High gloss reflects the room and looks striking, but it shows everything, so it suits a kitchen that gets wiped down.
Because we spray the doors ourselves rather than buying them in finished, you are not tied to a supplier colour chart.
Profiles
Slab for a flat, contemporary door. Raised panel for a traditional one. Shaker sits between the two. All three, plus the other alternatives, are shown above with their reference numbers.
What to Know Before You Choose
MDF cannot be stained, because there is no grain to show. If you want to see the wood, you want hardwood in a square or mitre frame.
And a deep chip is a refinishing job rather than a sand-and-touch-up. That is rare in normal use, and the care guide covers what keeps a painted finish sound.
Slab
S21 Frosty White
S22 Frosty White P
S23 Antique White
S24 Antique White P
Raised Panel
RP25 Frosty White
RP26 Frosty White P
RP27 Antique White
RP28 Antique White P
RP29 Frosty White
Shaker
Sh30 Frosty White
Sh31 Antique White P
Sh32 Antique White
Sh33 Antique White P
Sh34 Frosty White
Sh35 Frosty White
Other Alternatives
Antique White Beaded
Cathedral Arch
Double Routed
Frosty White Mullion
Frosty V-Groove
Poly Roman Arch
Glass, Frosty White
Common Questions
Is MDF as good as solid wood?
For a painted door, better. No grain telegraphs through the paint and the panel does not move with humidity, so the finish stays flat and the joints stay tight. For a stained door it is not an option at all, because there is no grain to show.
What colours can I have?
Any. We spray the doors ourselves rather than buying them in finished, so you are not tied to a supplier colour chart.
What finishes are available?
Satin through to high-gloss polyurethane. Satin hides marks best; high gloss reflects the room and shows more.
Will MDF swell if it gets wet?
Not from ordinary kitchen use, because the finish seals the door. Standing water is another matter, so wipe spills and do not drape a damp towel over a door. Our product care guide covers it.
Is there a warranty?
Cabinetry is covered for 5 years, and hinges and drawer glides carry a lifetime warranty through our suppliers. Full warranty details.
Other Door Materials
All cabinet doors · Thermofoil · Laminate · Aluminium · Mitre · Square