MDF panels for walls are boards made from wood fiber by dry pressing of wood chips. Given building material different medium density, and to give it a high degree of strength, sawdust is mixed with urea resins and processed using high temperature and significant pressure. Finally, the MDF panel is subjected to further processing to achieve aesthetic appeal.

Features and Benefits

MDF for walls is prepared using the same technology, but the finish of their surface is always different, in this regard, several types of these panels for walls can be distinguished:

1. created using as decorative finishing natural veneer coverings. The products are distinguished not only by their excellent strength and reliability, but also by their high price.
2. panels are the most popular and in demand of all types of material. To create these panels, pasting with melamine film is used. This allows you to simulate the structure natural wood so popular when decorating the walls of a room. To improve appearance The slabs are covered with a high-gloss film.
3. Technical and office premises, workshops and garages are finished using painted MDF panels. In this case decorative coating is a layer of paint. On such models there is no imitation of the tree structure.

MDF panels have improved technical characteristics. When creating them, the manufacturer does not use harmful resins rich in phenol.

After grinding and processing the wood chips, the resulting dust is treated under high temperature in special ovens. The process lasts until lignin is released, which ensures the gluing of the raw material.

The main advantages of the MDF panel are:

• attractive price;
• possibility of use both for leveling the surface of walls and for decoration;
• ease of installation without the help of a qualified specialist;
• strength;
• reliability;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• ease of care.

There are several mounting methods wall panels from MDF in the course of work related to decorating the surface of walls indoors. One of them requires the assembly of a frame and sheathing, while the other requires a special adhesive for wall panels.

Frame mounting

To assemble a high-quality frame and sheathing, use wooden blocks or metal profile. Both structures are required for fastening decorative material when decorating residential and office premises. The methods of attaching panels to the frame allow not only to visually change the internal space, but also to hide certain defects found on the surface of the walls. When choosing how to mount, you need to take into account the degree of unevenness of the base. Significant flaws in the form of voids, dips or bumps can be corrected with the help of a high-quality frame and sheathing.

Fastening the wall panels to the frame is necessary during work related to leveling the surface. In rooms with high humidity For the construction of the frame, only a metal profile is used. The construction of the sheathing allows for installation additional insulation. Frame for attaching panels with your own hands in dry and warm room collected from wooden beam: prepared wood (blocks with a section of 30x40) must be installed and secured strictly vertically along the entire perimeter of the room.

The very first (starting) profile is attached directly to the floor, the second - to the ceiling. Having installed the horizontal profiles along the entire perimeter of the room, proceed to attaching the vertical guides. The distance between the bars does not exceed 60 cm. This is due to the fact that the dimensions of the MDF panels are as follows:

• width ranges from 153 to 200mm;
• the length depends on which company is the manufacturer; this parameter reaches from 2 to 2.6 m;
• thickness from 5 to 14 mm.

Installation Features

Installation of MDF panels, metal profile or bars starts from any corner of the room by laying individual elements vertically or horizontally. If it is necessary to create additional noise or heat insulation, insulation boards are placed between the sheathing slats.

The distance between the slats in this case depends on the parameters of the thermal insulation material used. It is 2-3 cm smaller than the width of the insulation, which allows the mineral wool slabs to be tightly laid.

Each MDF panel is equipped with a special groove for installing clamps and fastening to the frame. The frame itself is fixed using “crabs” and brackets. Attaching MDF panels to the wall cannot be called a complex process if the frame of the structure is assembled correctly and strictly to the level.

When creating the sheathing, it is important to remember that the fastening elements (screws), or rather their length, are selected taking into account the thickness and height of the bar or profile. The self-tapping screw must be embedded into the wall to a depth of at least 40 mm.

Before constructing the frame, you need to determine the highest point on the surface of the wall and set the vertical and horizontal from this value. All work is carried out under the constant supervision of a building level equipped with a spirit level. It is necessary to check not only the horizontal and vertical, but also both diagonals on each wall being sheathed.

The dimensions of MDF panels are of great importance when it is decided to attach them to the wall using a frame, and when performing work using a special adhesive composition, certain types of panels are chosen.

It is more difficult than covering a correctly assembled frame with such panels.

Glue mounting

Before attaching MDF panels to the wall, you must:

1. Clean the surface from any dirt, dust, remnants of old coating in the form of paint, wallpaper or cracked plaster.
2. All areas to be restored must be plastered again.
3. After the solution has completely dried, prime the wall for maximum adhesion.

Knowing how to attach MDF panels to the wall, you can complete all the work in the shortest possible time. It is necessary that the surface is not only carefully prepared, but also absolutely flat. MDF panels must be glued to the wall in such a way as to ensure complete adhesion and avoid air getting under the components of the structure.

If tiled or ceramic tiles glued to the walls in one motion and cannot be dismantled and re-glued, the peculiarity of the process of gluing MDF panels is that the future cladding cannot be glued immediately. It must be pressed against the wall, held for a few seconds and torn off. After this, let the glue dry slightly and re-attach the panel to the wall surface. You can glue MDF only by applying significant force when pressing the panel.

If the wall surface is prepared incorrectly or poorly for gluing MDF panels, the fixation will not be strong and durable.

Panels with applied to their surface adhesive composition must be laid on a clean, dry, absolutely flat and smooth wall. The quality of the cladding also depends on how correctly the first panel was glued. It must be secured in strict accordance with the vertical mark made using a plumb line or laser level level.

The final stage is the installation of plugs and other decorative elements. The inner corners are fixed with glue. Its color is selected exactly to match the finishing material and applied with a thin snake, trying to avoid the appearance of excess on the panels after pressing the corner.

You can study all stages of the work in detail by watching the video.

Interior decoration using MDF wall panels is extremely popular due to the many positive qualities that this finishing material has. This is not only an opportunity to perform all manipulations without the involvement of qualified specialists, but also to increase the strength and reliability of the structure. MDF wall panels allow you to change the interior space of a room, giving it attractiveness and increasing its aesthetics.

Today the simplest and in a fast way To make the walls of your home beautiful and smooth, decorate them with MDF panels. This solution is, of course, not suitable for all rooms, but for corridors, stairwells, storage rooms and hallways, this material will be almost ideal. We will talk about it in this article, in which, together with the site, we will look at how to install MDF panels with frame and frameless way with your own hands.

There are two ways to fix MDF panels on the walls - the so-called adhesive and frame. Both of these methods are good and are used depending on the circumstances. If finishing walls with MDF panels involves hiding any communications, then frame method MDF fastenings. If we are talking about finishing smooth walls, then the adhesive method is used.

Wall decoration with MDF panels photo

Installation of MDF panels: frame installation method

The very name of this method speaks for itself - to implement it you will need to build a frame, which in some way resembles the structure that is used for. The difference lies only in the position of the load-bearing ones - if they are installed vertically to fasten plasterboard sheets, then MDF provides for a horizontal arrangement of profiles. In this regard, the peculiarities of constructing such a frame arise.

In principle, at the first stage everything happens in a similar way - the plane of the future frame is hammered out, then guide profiles are attached along the perimeter of the wall, on the floor, ceiling and adjacent walls. This is where the differences begin. In a given plane, vertical load-bearing profiles cd are installed not after 600 mm, but after 3000 mm, which is the standard length of the load-bearing profile.

Installation of MDF panels: frame method

This is done in order to subsequently install horizontal load-bearing profiles cd between them, the pitch of which is 500 mm. They are connected to vertical profiles using crab CD connectors, and fixed to the wall with the same U-shaped brackets.

Installation of the frame is the main work in the process of installing MDF panels. The fastening itself is an easier process that almost anyone can handle. MDF panels are attached to the frame using clamps (special clamps). Before attaching it to the frame, the clamp itself is inserted into a groove located at the end of the panel, thus ensuring reliable fixation to the frame. The clamps are designed so that they do not interfere with inserting the next panel into the groove.

DIY installation of MDF panels photo

Installing panels with glue yourself: installation features

MDF installation Installing panels on walls using glue is much easier - the entire installation process is greatly simplified by the absence of a metal or wooden frame, the construction of which takes quite a lot of time.

Installation of MDF wall panels photo

Before we begin directly attaching the panels, let’s first look at the glue that is used for these purposes. Or any glue will not work here - you need a composition that has certain qualities.

• Firstly, the glue must be plastic even after hardening - the fact is that MDF panels made from pressed cardboard are highly susceptible to deformation depending on the temperature and humidity in the room. Therefore, an adhesive is needed that can dampen these same temperature expansions.
• Secondly, the adhesive used for MDF panels should facilitate their fastening even in places where the walls are slightly curved. That is, the texture of the glue should make it possible to spread it like thin layer, and thick - in a word, it should be thick enough. These requirements perfectly fit the so-called “”, which are successfully used by almost all craftsmen to solve the problem of how to install MDF panels.

Liquid nails for mounting MDF panels photo

The installation of panels using glue itself looks quite simple - its technology is almost completely described on a tube of “Liquid Nails” glue. It is not recommended to violate it. To begin with, the walls covered with panels must be cleaned of dust and dirt - in principle, if you are going to seriously engage in self-repair, then the priming process, which is performed to clean the walls from dust and dirt, and at the same time to improve the adhesion of materials, should become a habit. They always prime everything, everywhere.

Priming walls before installing MDF panels photo

After the primer has dried, the actual gluing of the panels begins. While it dries, you can do other preparations - for example, cutting several dozen panels to size.

The glue is applied directly to the panel itself in a dotted manner and in a checkerboard pattern - the glue drops should be large. Once the adhesive has been applied, the panel is pressed against the wall, tapped firmly and torn off. This is required by gluing technology - you need to tear off the panel so that the glue is weathered and the panel does not peel off from the wall under its own weight. To speed up the process and make installing MDF panels with your own hands faster, you can immediately, one after another, smear up to a dozen panels, attach them to the wall and tear them off. While the glue is weathering, you are allowed to take a smoke break - after five minutes, the panels can be hung on the wall again and thoroughly slammed down.

How to glue MDF panels to the wall photo

It is easy to glue the panels; it is much more difficult to trim them evenly and accurately. In this regard special attention it is necessary to pay attention to slopes and similar obstacles that come across the installation path of MDF panels. It should be understood that the appearance of the room completely depends on the even trimming of the panels.

Installation of MDF panels on walls

Well, in conclusion, we will dwell on the main installation nuances that are typical for both methods of fastening MDF panels.

• First, there are the angles. It should be understood that it will not be possible to bend MDF panels, so they are simply cut as close to the corner as possible, after which the cut edges are safely overlapped with a special corner, which can be used for both external and internal corners.
• Secondly, this is the frame - the bottom one horizontal profile must lie on the floor. In this way you will ensure reliable fastening skirting boards.
• Thirdly, to avoid misalignment in the future, the first panel must be installed in accordance with the vertical level and firmly fixed with self-tapping screws in places where they will subsequently overlap (at the bottom of the baseboard, at the top of the ceiling, in the corner decorative overlay). It is advisable to check the position of the panels with a level in the future - you don’t need to check everything in a row, but you need to apply it to every fifth panel.

That's basically all. This is how MDF panels are installed. This process is neither complicated nor simple, like, in general, any finishing work, in which your attitude to the little things plays an important role, which together affect the overall picture of the repair. Simply put, there are no trifles in this matter.

IN modern world when you need to quickly finish the walls, widespread received MDF panels. This is primarily due to affordable price, as well as environmental friendliness. To install MDF wall panels with your own hands, great experience not required. You just need to be careful and be precise in your calculations.

MDF panels are produced from wood processing waste. Do not confuse this material with similar ones: fiberboard and chipboard. MDF panels are made by dry hot pressing, where the wood is pressed without taking into account the binder component. The essence of the method is as follows: wood consists of fibers (lignin), which, under the influence of high temperature and pressure, become pliable and connect with each other. Structure MDF material outwardly it is somewhat reminiscent of felt cloth, only it consists of wood fiber.

MDF panels are absolutely environmentally friendly material, therefore they are widely used for interior decoration. The principles of working with panels are similar to wood.

MDF wall panels are significantly inferior in price to lining, but if you compare this material with similar “brothers” - chipboard and fiberboard panels, then MDF will be more expensive.

Installation of MDF wall panels is attached to the frame or with glue for wooden products. Also, the “Liquid Nails” adhesive mass has been developed specifically for working with MDF panels. This is an adhesive containing a filler made of sawdust. This glue is convenient for working both with MDF panels and for filling cracks. When working with " liquid nails“You need to take into account that MDF wall panels have color, so when purchasing glue you need to ask your consultant to provide a sample of a frozen drop (usually available on the lid).

Tools for working with panels

Every man has a standard set of tools at home, to which you need to add:

• plumb line (made independently from nylon thread and nut);
• roulette;
• building level;
• electric drill with an attachment for self-tapping screws (as a replacement for a screwdriver);
• metal square;
• hand saw or jigsaw.

Installation features

Fastening MDF wall panels is carried out in two ways:

1. Frame.
2. Glue.

Both methods are equally practical. For example, if you need to hide any communications, then a frame fastening method is used. If necessary to trim flat surface, then the installation of MDF wall panels is carried out using the adhesive method.

When attaching MDF wall panels, two frame methods are used:

1. Mounting on a wooden sheathing.
2. Mounting on a frame made of metal profiles.

The easiest way is to make a wooden sheathing, since its assembly does not require installing a large number of hardware. But wood sheathing is an expensive material. In addition, the wood must be pre-treated with agents that prevent the formation of fungus and mold.

You can attach the wooden sheathing to the wall using self-tapping screws or mounting nails (dowels).

It is undesirable to use such lathing in brick house and a damp room, because through the pores of the brick, fungal spores and moisture can penetrate inside. In such a “cushion” between the wall and the MDF cladding, pests will rapidly develop.

To install metal frame, you need to purchase a profile, special fasteners (“ears”) and connecting elements. It is advisable to purchase them if you plan to complete a large amount of work in a short time. If you plan to cover one or two rooms with wall panels, then you can completely do without them.

The metal sheathing is attached to the wall only with self-tapping screws. To attach a metal profile to a concrete base, a self-tapping screw with a diameter of 4-6 millimeters is used. If the wall is strong, then the diameter of the fastener decreases. In addition, you need to know that each fastener (screw or dowel) is attached together with a plastic “socket”. Therefore, a hole in the wall is drilled according to the diameter of the “socket body”, and the protrusions are not taken into account.

The plastic base is hammered into the wall, and the fastener itself should go 30-40 millimeters into the wall. For example, if the layer of plaster is 12 millimeters, then for the lathing you need to use an MDF wall panel measuring 16 millimeters, and the length of the hardware should be about 68 millimeters. This figure is calculated by the formula: the thickness of the plaster plus the length of the fasteners plus the thickness of the MDF. Accordingly, fasteners can be purchased in lengths from 70 to 80 millimeters. The depth of the hole should be another plus 15-20 millimeters, which are allocated “to the dust”. The final figure is 100 millimeters.

If you are working with long drill, then you must first put a restrictive tube on it. Try to drill shallowly into the wall, as its thickness may be slightly less than 200 millimeters.

Wall insulation

Before decorating a room with wall panels, it is advisable to first insulate the walls. The sheathing cells are filled with sheet foam. It is very convenient to work with such material, especially to cut sheets to the required size. Additionally, foam insulation will protect voids from condensation and the appearance of wood pests. IN summer time, when the building heats up, the foam will protect the room from overheating. In addition, the heat flow into winter time will be significantly reduced.

How to install wood sheathing

Wooden sheathing begins to be installed from vertical stand. Each rack is placed in a corner of the room so that it forms a corner. Then the racks are placed along the edge of the window and door opening, starting from the floor to the ceiling. Check the verticality of the racks with a plumb line.

Next, apply the stand and mark it on one side with a marker or pencil directly on the wall. Drill according to the marks with a drill in concrete wall holes for fastening. The hole spacing ranges from 500 to 700 millimeters. Then “sockets” for fasteners are inserted into the holes and their position is again marked with a pencil. The holes are drilled to two-thirds the diameter of the fastener and then it is inserted back. Experienced craftsmen They do it differently: they drill holes in the racks in advance, and make markings directly through the racks.

The remaining logs are installed using the same principle. Along the top of the opening, as well as under the window sill, it is necessary to install logs, regardless of the “step”. In addition, the slopes window openings also “decorated” with slats: inside and outside.

When wooden sheathing ready, the ledges on the slats (their joints) are removed with a plane.

How to install metal sheathing

Lathing for MDF wall panels is installed according to the same principle as wooden lathing. First, the corner posts are attached to the wall, then the posts in the openings and the cross posts. The pitch of the metal sheathing is 500-700 millimeters. The racks are assembled from two types of profiles: “UD” (narrow) and “CD” (wide). The racks have a narrow profile, and wide profiles are inserted or pushed into them. Then, using a building level or tape measure, check the horizontalness and pitch. After this, the metal slats are attached first to the racks and then to the wall. The sheathing parts are connected to each other and the wall with self-tapping screws. Remember! Dowel nails cannot be used, because the profile may “lead.”

If you are connecting pieces of metal profile to each other, do it in advance.

How to attach MDF wall panels

Installation of wall panels is very simple. After constructing the frame, they begin MDF installation panels. They are attached to the base using a special clamp - “kleimer”. It is inserted into the hole on the panel (groove). Working with such a fastening element is a pleasure, because the clamp ensures reliable fixation of the panel to the frame. In addition, they are designed so that the next panel can be easily inserted into the groove.

Attaching MDF wall panels with glue is much easier. Firstly, it saves time, since you do not need to pre-install the frame.

Which glue is best to work with? Ordinary glue will not work, so tips on choosing an adhesive will be useful for beginners:

• the glue must have plasticity;
• must smooth out small irregularities on the walls in order to glue the panel even in a curved place;
• the texture of the glue should be thick, but at the same time, lay down in a thin layer.

Wall panels must be attached to glue according to the following rules:

• First, clean the surface from dirt and dust;
• Be sure to prime the walls with a primer mixture;
• Allow the primer to absorb well.

When the wall dries, you can prepare the panels: cut them according to size. Then apply glue to the panel “dotwise” or in a “checkerboard pattern”. Try to keep the drops not scanty, but rather large. After applying the glue, press the panel against the wall, “tap” it well and tear it off. This is the gluing technology. Thus, when the panel is torn off from the wall, the glue is exposed. The glued panel under the pressure of its own weight will not peel off from the wall.

To save time, you can immediately apply glue to five to seven panels, glue them and, one by one, tear them off the wall. While the glue is weathering, you can take a short break, and after three to five minutes return to work and hook each panel. Now you need to tap thoroughly.

Panels MDF wall sheet, as well as MDF panels, laminated wall panels and standard panels are easy to glue, but cutting them evenly and accurately is much more difficult. In this case, due attention must be paid to any obstacles, such as slopes.

When working with glue, you must remember that the final result will depend on the accuracy of the work.

You can see what MDF wall panels look like in the interior in the photo:

How to install MDF wall panels, watch the video:

Beautiful and smooth walls– the key to an effective renovation. In modern decoration there are a great variety of types and methods of finishing. And MDF panels are one of them. When choosing finishing material for decorating walls, the question of cost-effectiveness, ease of installation and ease of operation always arises.

Along with paints, plastic, wallpaper and other materials, wall covering with MDF panels is also worthy of attention. I will talk about this relatively new finishing method in this article.

Probably many of you have encountered the fact that when updating the interior of an apartment, you really don’t want to bother with the long preparation of the walls, cleaning up a large amount of construction waste, and especially spending a lot of money on repairs. When there is no opportunity or desire to bother with painting or wallpapering, you can get by with wall coverings. This method allows you to level and decorate the surface in one fell swoop.

The wall is beautifully covered with many different materials. And this is not only drywall or plastic, but also MDF panels. Working with them is excellent in terms of speed and relative ease of installation. They look much richer than plastic ones, are more convenient in size and are just as easy to use in the future.

MDF panel is a board of pressed wood fibers impregnated with binding materials. Such a plate may not be covered with anything on top, or it may be covered with a layer of special film and a thin layer of plastic. This is a very environmentally friendly material that has all the properties necessary for creating structures. The panel can be washed, it is quite durable and safe.

As for color and appearance, I want to say that today manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of colors that imitate various types wood, as well as bright and pastel monochrome options. So covering walls with MDF panels can easily cope with any problem. design solutions. The size and shape of the panel can also be different.

These can be square slabs from 300 x 300 mm to 980 x 980 mm. There are slatted panels up to 300 mm wide and 3 m long. Such panels are very similar to lining and look good on the wall and ceiling. If you need to sew up a large area at once or use custom size, then sheets measuring mainly 1220×2440 mm will help out.

All options are generally up to 25 mm in thickness. This helps a lot to solve the problem with sound insulation. Therefore, MDF is definitely worth paying attention to when choosing materials for cladding.

The only disadvantage of this material is its relatively low moisture resistance. Therefore, they are suitable for finishing not all rooms. A chipboard panel is used only in dry rooms, such as a hallway, and a fiberboard panel is used in rooms with moderate humidity, such as a kitchen.

Sheathing - instructions step by step

I will tell you in detail how to cover walls with MDF panels. The process of installing wall panels is quite simple and does not involve complex wall preparation. They can be attached to a prepared frame, at the same time leveling the wall, or you can use glue when the wall does not require additional transformations.

In any case, no matter what method you choose, you need to take into account several nuances. Before starting work, the panel must undergo some acclimatization. To do this, it is enough to hold it in the room being repaired so that a balance of temperature and humidity is established between the panel itself and the air. MDF is returning to normal, some expansion is taking place.

Before installation, the wall, as already mentioned, does not require special preparation. It is enough to clean areas with obvious waste old paint or plaster to get rid of cracks.

When installing panels, you must remember their physical properties and leave small gaps at the bottom and top. A few millimeters are enough. This is necessary to take into account their normal expansion with changes in temperature and humidity in the room. Otherwise, over time the panel may warp or warp.

On the frame

When choosing frame installation, you will need profiles or wooden slats. When choosing fastening materials, you should pay attention to the complexity of the wall itself. You may need to navigate around many corners or ledges.

In this case, it is better to use mounting profiles (various additional elements), since their wide variety will allow you to do the work as accurately as possible, especially in the case of corners. However, if for some reason you decide to do without additional elements, this is also not a problem. All joints and corners can then be closed using a universal corner.

This applies not only to the frame, but also to the adhesive installation method. So, you need to install two skirting profiles (also called moldings) running perpendicular to the facing slab. This means that if the panel is mounted vertically, then the profiles are placed horizontally (near the floor and ceiling).

When the MDF boards are directed horizontally, the profiles are installed in a vertical position at the corners of the wall. In the case of fastening sheet panels of a large area, this issue is not so important. After installing the first profile, use a plumb line or building level to determine the position of the second extreme profile. Next, using the same plumb line or level, secure several more intermediate profiles at a distance of approximately 500-600 mm.

If sudden changes in the surface do not allow you to attach the profile to a level, then you can place it under it various materials. These can be wooden slats, fiberboard, plywood.

Intermediate profiles are necessary to ensure that the future panel does not bend under hand pressure. Therefore, adjust their number based on the area and evenness of the surface to be sewn and the thickness of the panel itself. The panel is pre-cut to size, taking into account the required gaps. If the cladding is made using slatted panels with a groove and a tail, then a J-profile is usually used as a molding, into which the first panel is inserted.

The tail is trimmed and inserted into the profile on three sides - one side and two ends. The side with the groove remains free. It must be attached to the sheathing or directly to the wall. The next panel is driven into the groove with its tail, and the side with the groove is also screwed to the sheathing. This is how all the panels are assembled.

The latter is trimmed around the edges by about 5 mm and first driven into the second molding. After the stop, it is enough to move it a little in reverse side before entering the previous groove. When using other types of panels, they are attached joint to joint.

It is very important to trim the edges evenly so that the joints are even. It is better to trim thick panels using a hacksaw or jigsaw. The panels can be fastened to the sheathing with ordinary self-tapping screws or using special clips and clamps.

The latter option is especially progressive and convenient, since in this case the panel does not have holes and is simply fastened to the sheathing. Also, this method does not interfere with the elongation of the panel under the influence of moisture and temperature, and, if necessary, can be easily dismantled. At this point the paneling is finished and your wall looks even, smooth and beautiful.

On glue

The adhesive method of fastening allows you to do without installing the sheathing. The preparation of the wall remains the same. Even if the wall was painted oil paint, it is not necessary to delete it. Modern adhesive mixtures penetrate quite deeply and allow you to do without this process.

The panels can also be glued to the sheathing. This option is relevant when the wall is very uneven and additional slats have to be installed to reach the required level. MDF glue is applied over the entire surface of the panel in the form of zigzag stripes.

Wall or ceiling cladding different rooms, including loggias, is often performed using MDF panels. This material does not require a large number of components; its installation technology is quite simple. The range is represented by different types of panels, which differ in size, shade and texture.

More details about MDF material

To make a final decision for yourself which wall covering is best for DIY installation under certain conditions, you need to study information about the material: structure, properties, scope of application.

Dimensions, characteristics

MDF is a material made from carefully crushed wood (sawdust, shavings and other woodworking waste). Wood dust is exposed to high temperatures and pressed. The binding agent in this case is paraffin and lignin.

Surface cladding is carried out with sheets and panels of different dimensions: length varies from 900 to 3660 mm; width from 150 to 2070 mm; thickness from 1.8 to 60 mm. Most formats are non-standard, which allows you to choose the right option.

The standard length dimensions are 2.6 m. Less common material is 2.4 m long, as well as 2.7 m. The value of the width parameter varies greatly: from 0.15 to 2.07 m.

Key Features:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Excellent strength properties;
• Long-term operation;
• High-quality panel surface;
• Soundproofing properties.

Where is it used?

MDF is used in construction (cladding walls, ceilings, doors), furniture production, automotive industry. For installation on loggias, a material is required that is resistant to temperature changes, humidity and ultraviolet radiation. MDF satisfies these criteria, especially moisture-resistant sheet panels.

Preparing for work

Cladding the surfaces of the walls and ceiling of the loggia is carried out in several stages, the first of which is the preparation of the material. Sheet panels are transferred to the balcony so that they acquire required level humidity. This will avoid deformation of the MDF.

Tool

• Hammer;
• Screwdriver;
• Roulette
• Hacksaw for woodworking, metal scissors;
• Level.

Consumables you will need are wood screws, clamps and galvanized corners. And also, polyurethane foam, sealant.

Auxiliary materials

Balcony finishing with MDF panels is carried out using components and materials:

• Any insulation from a number of existing ones (mineral wool, penofol, penoplex, etc.);
• Fasteners (nails, screws, clamps);
• Primers for different materials(concrete, wood);
• Accessories for MDF;
• Wooden beams or special profiles for gypsum boards for lathing.

Room measurements and MDF calculation

Finishing walls and flows with your own hands requires taking accurate measurements of the room. First of all, you need to determine the length and height of the walls. The number of panels can be determined by drawing up a diagram of their best location on the wall.

In this case, you need to form a pattern, and there should be as few seams as possible. The number of bars/profiles for the sheathing is determined based on the dimensions of the wall and a sketch that takes into account the distance between the guides (50 cm). The dimensions of the bars are selected taking into account surface unevenness (25x40 mm, 40x40 mm, 30-50 mm).

Step-by-step panel installation technology

Lathing allows you to create more robust construction. The advantage of this solution is that there is no need to specially level the surface of the walls. But the crumbling base (concrete, plaster) must be treated special composition which will strengthen it. For wood, other means are used - antiseptics.

Step 1: Selecting the type of frame and its installation

There are two types of lathing: from wooden planks and metal profile for gypsum boards. The first option will be cheaper, but it is susceptible to exposure to a humid environment. For this reason, it is better to install such a frame on a loggia that is well insulated. The metal counterpart is stronger and can withstand any operating conditions.

The distance between the two slats should be 40-50 centimeters. The bottom rail is attached at a distance of approximately 3-5 cm from the floor.

Procedure for installing the sheathing:

1. The highest point of unevenness is determined, this is where the first plank needs to be attached;
2. On the remaining surface of the wall you will have to lay edged material;
3. If the wall is flat, the installation of horizontal guides is carried out from below, after which the top bar is installed, and then the crossbars;
4. The distance from the floor and ceiling is 3-5 cm.

The wooden frame is fastened using dowel-nails and self-tapping screws. For metal, anchors and metal screws are used.

Step 2: Installation of thermal insulation

Insulation is laid between the sheathing strips. Its thickness must correspond to the height of the frame, otherwise the sheet panels will be deformed. For installation between the sheathing guides, almost any insulation is used: mineral wool, penoplex, foam plastic.

The insulation should be located over the entire surface of the wall, including under the sheathing belts. Otherwise, heat loss on the balcony can be up to 40%.

The insulation is simply placed in the cells of the frame. If sheet panels are glued to the surface of the walls, thermal insulation with increased strength is used.

Step 3: Attaching the MDF

Finishing the balcony with MDF panels is carried out using different types of fasteners: screws, clamps, installation with glue. If an adhesive is used, it is recommended to use moisture-resistant materials that are also universal and suitable for attaching the material to different types surfaces (concrete, plaster).

Detailed step by step instructions

The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. Alignment of loggia walls;
2. Thorough cleaning and degreasing;
3. Primer;
4. Applying glue.

For attaching MDF to wooden frame wood screws are used. They are installed at a distance of 10-15 mm from the edge of the panel. This will allow you to hide the screw heads under the corners and baseboards.

Step 4: Connection and fastening to clamps

On the tenon side, MDF is secured with self-tapping screws. If the panel rests on the corner of the wall, the connecting element must be cut off. The next panel is attached not only by snapping into the groove, but also by using glue. Connecting element glued. The clamps also securely fix the sheet panels.

A clamp is attached to the side of the MDF panel where the groove is located. Next, it is fixed with self-tapping screws on the rail.

When moving to another wall, the material is cut at 45 degrees (from the groove side), the next panel is cut at 45 degrees from the tenon side. The last panel is rounded at the end.

Slope finishing

MDF can be installed along and across the slope. The preferred option is determined by its width. For a narrow slope it is better to choose transverse installation material. For the purpose of finishing corner areas and cracks, special corners, profiles, and plinths have been created. With their help you can hide any leaks. The components are cut and installed using adhesive.

Thus, finishing of the ceiling with MDF panels or other surface (walls, slopes, parapet) is done in different ways: with glue, with self-tapping screws, nails and with lathing. The first option is the least reliable and requires maximum effort: leveling the walls of the loggia, cleaning, degreasing, priming