MDF vs. MDO: Which to Choose?

MDF vs. MDO: Which to Choose?

Handyman's World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

If you are planning on doing some construction, then you have a variety of materials to choose from. Two commonly used ones include MDF and MDO. Although the acronyms might sound quite similar, these are actually two fairly different things.

Today, we want to figure out what both MDO and MDF are, what makes them similar and different, and what both are best used for.

MDF and MDO: The Basics

Before we get to talking about similarities and differences, let’s first figure out what both MDO and MDF actually are.

What Is MDF?

MDF stands for medium-density fiberboard, and this is a type of engineered wood. MDF is made by taking the shavings and sawdust created when milling other pieces of wood, which are then dehydrated.

Those wooden fibers are then mixed with various types of wax and resin, and formed into panels using high amounts of heat and pressure to compress the mixture into solid and rigid panels that feature hard shells. They are then sanded down with industrial machines to ensure a smooth texture.

MDF is often used for making low-end furniture, cabinets, shelves, and other such things. It’s not the most durable or moisture-resistant of materials around, so caution is required when using it. However, it is durable enough for lightweight purposes, and it doesn’t cost very much either.

What Is MDO?

Although it might sound like this is also a type of fiberboard, MDO stands for medium-density overlay and is actually a type of plywood. This is another type of engineered wood, one designed for exterior use, mainly thanks to its moisture-resistant coating.

MDO plywood is made by taking layers of B and C-grade woods and layering thin veneers in a perpendicular manner to create layers, otherwise known as plies. Because each layer is perpendicular to the last, a cross-grain pattern is created, which allows for great weight-bearing capabilities, durability, and more.

Those layers are then glued together and pressed into solid sheets using high heat and pressure. What makes MDO special is that it also features a coating that is usually resin-impregnated fiber, therefore making it 100% waterproof and ideal for outdoor use.

Similarities of MDF and MDO

Now that we know what both MDF and MDO are, let’s figure out what makes them similar to each other. As you are about to see, there really aren’t many similarities shared between them.

1. They Are Types of Engineered Wood

One of the most basic similarities shared by MDO and MDF is that they are types of engineered wood. This means that wood is broken down in one way or another, mixed with various substances, and then reformed back into solid panels. Neither MDO nor MDF is solid, real lumber milled straight from a tree.

2. They May Share Similar Applications

The other similarity here is that MDF and MDO, although not commonly so, may be used for the same applications, such as for the making of furniture.

Differences Between MDF and MDO

Now that we know what makes MDF and MDO similar, let’s take a closer look at all of the things that make them different from each other.

1. The Construction

The primary difference between the two, which leads to most of the other differences, is that MDO plywood is made with high-quality wood veneers that are layered in a cross-grain pattern. On the other hand, MDF is made with exploded wood, fibers forming one mass and then pressing. That cross-grain structure that MDO plywood has, plus that coated exterior, makes it much better in many respects than MDF.

2. Durability and Impact Resistance

MDF is not exactly known for its great durability, which is why it is often used for interior furniture and shelves that don’t need to bear much weight. It just doesn’t have a great deal of impact resistance and is damaged fairly easily. This is not to say that it is a bad material, just not great. MDO plywood on the other hand is designed to be very high-quality and durable. It’s designed for exterior use and can stand up to a whole lot of punishment with relative ease.

3. Weight-Bearing Capabilities

We then have to consider how much weight these materials can bear. On one hand, MDO plywood is very strong and can bear a good deal of weight, several hundred pounds in fact, and it is also structurally sound. It can therefore be used for weight-bearing applications and structural purposes. MDF, on the other hand, is not weight-bearing in the least, and you certainly cannot use it for any kind of structural application.

4. Moisture Resistance

Next, MDF is just not very moisture resistant at all. For this reason, it is not recommended that MDF be used for exterior purposes or for interior purposes where a lot of moisture is involved. It will absorb moisture rather quickly and quite literally start to crumble. MDO plywood on the other hand features a special waterproof coating on the exterior which makes it 100% waterproof. MDO is specially designed for use in high-moisture areas.

5. Pest Resistance

MDF is not overly pest resistant either, with termites and other insects being very real threats to it. MDO plywood on the other hand, due to that coating on the exterior, is almost impermeable to pests.

6. Fire Resistance

Although both are not the most fire-resistant materials around, MDO plywood is a bit more fire resistant than MDF. That said, if exposed to an open flame, both will combust.

7. Weight

Another thing worth mentioning is that although MDO is far more durable, it actually weighs less than MDF. MDF, even though it is not the strongest material in the world, is actually very heavy. For this reason, working with MDO plywood is much easier, especially if you are just a single person. In terms of durability to weight ratio, MDO outperforms MDF, and quite so.

8. Ease of Cutting and Painting

What does need to be said about MDO plywood is that due to its cross-grain pattern and exterior coating, it can be very hard to cut or saw without causing it to splinter or crack. It can be done, but it requires the right tools. On that note, MDO plywood is not overly smooth, so painting it can be a challenge. It just doesn’t look as nice as MDF, which is smooth, and therefore quite easy to paint. Due to its composition, MDF is also easier to saw.

9. Cost

Next, due to it being so high-quality, you can expect to spend about twice as much money on MDO than on MDF. It is the far more expensive option of the two materials.

MDF vs. MDO: Which Should You Use?

If you are building lightweight interior furniture, such as a desk, or you are making cabinets, then MDF is just fine. MDF works well for interior purposes that don’t see much moisture, and it looks nice too.

However, if you need something that is very durable, impact resistant, long lasting, waterproof, and more, then MDO plywood is the way to go. MDO plywood is not the most visually appealing, so using it for interior furniture may not be the best choice.

How Can You Tell MDF and MDO Apart?

You can tell the two apart by their appearance, for one. MDO is not quite as smooth as MDF. Also, if you have two pieces of the same size, MDF will be the heavier of the two. You will also notice an exterior coating on MDO which is not present on MDF.

Summary

As you can see, although they might sound similar, MDO and MDF are two very different things, and they really don’t serve the same purposes either. Now that you know what both are best for, you can make an informed decision between the two.