How to cover walls with MDF panels. Finishing MDF is an easy way to transform a room at minimal cost

Among the variety of finishing materials, MDF panels are gaining increasing popularity. The products are characterized by excellent decorative qualities, a variety of colors and textures. Let's outline the strengths and weaknesses of the panels, figure out what types are used in the house, and how MDF sheets are attached to the wall.

Composition of MDF wall panels

MDF panels (fine fraction) are formed from small wood particles under pressure and high temperature. As a result of heating, wood releases lignin, which acts as an adhesive and gives the material the required density and strength. Paraffin can be used as an additional binding component. Sawdust makes up at least 90% of the total mass. The remaining 10% are binders and additives, preventing rotting.

Thanks to the lack synthetic resins MDF is considered safe for human health - its use is permissible in residential premises, as well as institutions with increased sanitary and hygienic requirements. The basis for the manufacture of MDF is wood processing waste: off-grade rocks, curved areas, trimmings. Despite the difficulty technological process, wood panels managed to preserve a number of positive qualities of natural raw materials.

Pros and cons of finishing material

MDF wall panels have a number of advantages:

Safety. Wood derivatives do not emit toxic components, there is no threat to health.
Decorative. The range of products allows you to choose finishes to suit the interior requirements of the room. The panels differ in shape, color and texture - the choice of decor is unlimited. Finishes with imitation wood, as well as MDF panels with a stone look, are in wide demand.
Practicality. The coating is strong and durable. This finish increases the thermal efficiency of the room, improves sound insulation.
Easy to install. Installation does not require careful preparation of the walls; the entire process can be completed independently. By using decorative panels it will work out hide minor defects, uneven walls.
Ease of care. Unlike solid wood, MDF does not require periodic processing protective compounds. It is enough to periodically wipe the coating from dust.

The disadvantages of the panels include the following:

mounting on a frame reduces usable area premises - for finishing cramped rooms it is better to use a different material;
material sensitive to high humidity – in some cases it is necessary to use moisture-resistant MDF for the bathroom, swimming pool, kitchen;
panel mounting wall shelves, lockers are made using special fasteners;
MDF canvas will not withstand a strong blow– a dent or hole is formed.

Variety of MDF panels

The whole variety of panels for wall decoration can be classified according to production technology, method of design of the front part and standard sizes.

Classification by manufacturing method

MDF panels are divided into two categories: fully pressed and laminated. The first type includes regular sheets, obtained from wood fiber by dry hot pressing. Fully pressed panels are not coated or treated with anything, but their surface is smooth due to the tight pressing of the smallest particles. This material has a non-uniform color. To decorate the walls, it is repainted or used in its original form when decorating non-residential premises. Laminated panels are made using a similar technology, but are additionally covered with a polymer film. Coating Provides good wear resistance and strength, protection from moisture and a variety of colors.

There are MDF panels for special purposes. They are made from durable types of wood at elevated temperatures and under increased pressure. These include:

moisture resistant - not afraid of water, according to the characteristics comparable to plastic;
heat-resistant - contains fire retardant additives, product markings - KM1 and KM2;
flexible – due to improved ductility they are suitable for creating arched and curved structures.

If you plan to mount heavy objects on the wall, then it is better to use high-density MDF.

Decorative coating options

Depending on the top layer, there are following types MDF boards:

veneered;
glossy;
painted.

Veneered panels covered on top thin layer of natural wood(3 mm). This finish fully conveys the texture and pattern of natural material. Veneered boards are universal - they are used in classic, modern and ethnic interior styles.

Glossy panels are covered with a polymer film. The plate can be given almost any color. There are options with holographic effect or 3D pattern.

Painted MDF panels are very popular due to their affordability and unlimited choice of shades. Pick up decorative finishing Can be used for any room design. A layer of paint smoothes out all the unevenness and roughness wood composite. This option is often chosen for finishing the hallway, kitchen, and living room.

Disadvantage of the material - susceptibility to mechanical stress. If handled carelessly, scratches and chips may occur.

Shapes and sizes of wall panels

Based on the location and design idea, the shape of the slabs is selected. There are three options for MDF panels on sale:

Tiled. These are compact panels of square or rectangular shape. Available sizes are 30*30 cm, 90*90 cm. They require fastening without slats with glue. Tiled canvases can act as an independent decorative element or be combined with other finishing elements. Their installation requires thorough preparation of the walls.
Rack and pinion. Dimensions of MDF slats: length - from 2.5 m, thickness - 8-12 mm, width variable. Slat panels are usually mounted vertically, mounted on a frame. This form is relevant for narrow rooms, as it visually expands the space.
Leafy. Big sizes wood panels allow for quick finishing spacious rooms. Slab dimensions – from 1.2*2.4 m. Possible frame and adhesive technology fastenings.

The thickness of MDF is selected taking into account the purpose of the slab. An indicator of 1.2 cm or more will provide additional heat and sound insulation of the walls.

How to attach MDF panels to the wall

Before securing decorative slabs, it is worth deciding on the installation method. The use of lathing will hide the curvature of the walls and allow you to place an additional layer of insulation. The glue method is best used in limited space, where every centimeter counts.

Frame technology: step-by-step installation

The first step is to select the material for the sheathing. Possible options:

Cink Steel. Metal slats are best used in damp areas. The material does not corrode and withstands temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Wooden bars. Planks with a cross-section of 3*3 cm are suitable. If it is necessary to install insulation, you can take beams of greater thickness. The sheathing elements must first be treat with fire retardants and antiseptic.

Stages of work:

Measure the walls.
Cut the beams - their length should be slightly less than the parameters of the walls. When the slabs are arranged vertically, the frame slats are installed horizontally, and vice versa.
Fix the slats to the wall using dowels or self-tapping screws.
Install slab insulation into the frame cells.
Mount MDF panels. Fixation is carried out with self-tapping screws or special nails. The fasteners are screwed into the grooves of the lamellas.
Install connecting strips and outer corners.

How to attach slabs to metal sheathing? First, wall guides are installed around the perimeter, then intermediate slats are installed. at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. The frame is fastened with hangers and self-tapping screws, and then they begin to cover it with MDF boards.

Features of the adhesive method

This technology, on the one hand, is easy to implement, but on the other hand, it requires additional preparation of the base. The wall must be smooth, without changes, dents or other defects.

Algorithm of actions:

Prepare the surface. Remove the old coating, clean the base, treat the wall with a primer deep penetration. This composition will increase the adhesion of materials and reduce glue consumption.
Mark the panels according to their layout on the wall and cut them. A hacksaw or jigsaw is suitable for cutting.
Mix the glue and apply the solution to the back of the panel.
Press the MDF against the wall and hold it for a couple of seconds.
After attaching all the panels, it is necessary to install connecting strips and corners.

It is important to decide what to use to glue MDF panels to the wall. Types of suitable compositions:

Compounds. Universal adhesives, capable of withstanding significant loads. Suitable for fastening glass, stone, wood, rubber and other products. Representatives of compounds: Titan Wild, Multi Purpose, “Moment”, Tytan Euro-Line No. 601.
Special series. Adhesives widely used in frameless construction. To apply them you will need a gun. Options: Moment Liquid Nails, Solvent Free and Heavy Duty from Titebond, MF220 from Macroflex and LN-910/LN-901 from Liquid Nails.
Polyurethane foam. Despite the fact that the main purpose of the material is sealing, the foam composition is also used for installing small MDF boards. Gluing is performed universal foam or a solution for interior work.

For inexperienced installers, the best option is liquid nails. Glue easy to use, the fastening is reliable and tear-resistant.

MDF panels are used in residential, non-residential and utility premises. Thanks to various installation technologies, they can be installed on almost any base - brick, wood or concrete wall. In conditions of high humidity, it is necessary to use special hydrophobic MDF boards.

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 website, 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 the wall decoration MDF panels provides for the concealment of any communications, then the 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 given plane vertical load-bearing profiles cd are installed not every 600mm, but every 3000mm, 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 fastening it to the frame, the clamp itself is inserted into a groove located at the end of the panel, thus ensuring their 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

Installing MDF panels on walls using glue is much simpler - 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 both thin 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 independent repairs, 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 be included in your 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, cut 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 MDF installation It’s faster to apply panels with your own hands; 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 it. This is how MDF panels are installed. This process is not complicated or 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.

Decorating walls with MDF panels is not used very often. But this finish has its advantages, which are extremely difficult to dispute.
Therefore, this article will be about how to install MDF wall panels for interior decoration, you will learn all the intricacies of fastening this material. Get acquainted with all the subtleties.

Before purchasing, you should learn more about this type of finishing material. There are details that you may like, and there are things that will make you change your mind.
First of all, you should look at the photos and videos on this finishing material and imagine what exactly you want to see. After that, look at what you will get in this design.
So:

Installation of this material is dry. That is, you won’t need to do lengthy wall leveling and spend days on it.
Of course, this should be considered an advantage;
You can do the same right away additional insulation walls, this will be precisely as an addition, and not a separate work, and therefore costs will decrease;
Wall finishing with MDF boards is done entirely with your own hands and without any outside help. This significantly reduces the cost of the entire structure;
Finishing with MDF panels, even without application additional materials is additional heat and soundproofing;
After installation, you will not need to do additional cladding of the plane. And this is a direct cost reduction.

And how to avoid the shortcomings, they must be considered:

Wall panels for interior decoration of MDF are afraid of dampness, and this is quite important. They should no longer be used in rooms with high humidity;
Some have seen MDF paneling in an office, the bottom edge of the trim is not attractive. It cracks and swells.
Therefore, it’s worth saying right away that they should not be mounted in the veranda. There are temperature changes here and splashes from shoes can still fall on the coating;
This finish takes up useful space and is not attached to the frame. Moreover, there is a possibility of mechanical damage and it will be impossible to make repairs unnoticed;
The low fire safety of the material can also repel the consumer;
Well, the main thing is that they will look extremely awkward and office-like in the hall. But if you use them when decorating an office or hallway (see Decorating a hallway with MDF panels: types of panels and installation), then it will be just right.

Let's start finishing

If you decide to use this type of wall decoration and you are satisfied with everything, then first you should look at the interiors with MDF finishing. There are several options here and you need to decide on this at the initial stage.
All work will be done with your own hands and without outside help. Only when performing it you must adhere to certain rules.

Surface preparation

This will be the first stage, which will largely determine the durability of the structure.

Attention: If your base plane is covered with a layer of plaster of more than 10 cm and it has become damp before. Then it will have to be completely removed.
Otherwise, the MDF panels will absorb moisture and will peel and warp. And then the fastening will not be too strong.
You will need screws that are too long.

So:

We clean the surface from the previous coating and use a metal brush to do this. We remove everything from wallpaper to plaster.
We should have a completely clean base;

Now you should treat the surface with antiseptics, they are commercially available. Give preference to deep penetration liquid and apply the treatment a couple of times.
Make sure to do this, it will significantly extend the service life of the entire structure;
After cleaning and processing, the surface should be coated with a layer of primer. To do this, use a brush or spray.

Installation of sheathing

Sheet MDF panels for interior decoration are mounted on a frame, which can be made from a metal corner or wood. The structure is not light in weight and therefore it is worth doing everything thoroughly.
The fastening must be rigid and reliable.

Attention: If you have chosen wood for the frame, then it should be treated with antiseptics and done in advance.
This will significantly increase the service life of the wood and protect against mold and rot. Allow the material to dry completely before installation.

So:

First you need to determine the correct mounting plane. After all, the panel is a rather rigid structure and you will not be able to secure it over uneven surfaces.
And the edges must completely match in height. To do this, take a plumb line and place it against the wall and determine the degree of its deviation.
You should immediately take into account the thickness of the insulation if you install it. We put marks on the wall at the top and bottom.
After this, you need to connect these points and for this we use a nylon thread. We do this on all planes.
This will indicate the contour of the panel fastening;
Now we take the slats and cut them into right size. Please note that they should be made a little shorter, about one cm.
They should not be mounted end-to-end against the wall. This will help you avoid troubles due to temperature changes;
We fasten the slats. If the wall is made of wood, then self-tapping screws are perfect.
If the plane is made of concrete or brick, then you should make holes using a hammer drill and then make a connection using dowels. Make the fastening step no less than 40 cm;

It is more common to hear about a material such as MDF in the furniture industry. Now you can often find this material in construction, and as decoration. If the finishing issue remains unresolved, MDF wall panels should be considered.

Peculiarities

MDF (fine fraction) is made from tiny wood particles that are formed into a board by pressing. The strength of such a connection is ensured by lignin, which is released from wood fibers as a result of high-temperature heating.

Such wall panels have valuable characteristics that make them so popular.

Safety. Since the particles that make up the panel are wood derivatives and no toxic chemicals are used to bind them, such material does not pose a threat to human health.
Practicality. If all operating rules are followed, the panels serve very well. long time. They perform protective function, and also improve sound insulation.
Aesthetics. Different decor options can be chosen according to the design of the room.
Easy installation and maintenance. Installation does not require radical changes to the walls and occurs quite quickly.
Environmental friendliness. They do not require special disposal procedures and are biodegradable.

Economical. More affordable compared to solid wood products. No costs required throughout the entire service life.
Masking of construction defects in walls, wires and pipes.
Variability. Wide the lineup will allow you to find suitable option depending on preferences, purpose and budget.

At the same time, if a frame is used as a base, the area of the room is reduced. Water, and sometimes even high air humidity, can delaminate the internal structure of the slab. A blow to such a surface can cause serious damage, including dents or destruction. Of course, similar mechanical impact on the walls is very rare, but in order to hang a shelf or cabinet on it, you will need to purchase special fastenings.

Therefore, it is so important to carefully weigh all the pros and cons before making a choice, and to foresee the problematic situations that you will have to face.

Types of panels

The main difference between the panels may be the features of their manufacture. They can be divided into several types.

Conventional (also called solid-pressed) - are sheets of wood fiber, made by dry hot pressing. The surface of the sheets is not treated with anything, but is very smooth due to the fact that the fibers are very small and tightly pressed against each other. But they are completely heterogeneous in color, inclusions of fibers are visible different colors, since all sorts of residues after wood processing are used to make them. And the shade of slabs from different batches may vary slightly. This type of panel can be processed or used as is for finishing non-residential premises.

Special ones differ from ordinary ones in that they use a higher grade of wood for their production, and they are pressed longer and at a higher temperature.

These include several types of panels.

Moisture resistant - their properties are comparable to plastic, since they are in no way affected by a humid environment.
Heat-resistant (that is, resistant to fire). Unlike other fire-resistant materials, instead of phenols and resins, they contain paraffin and lignin, which are not toxic. These include products marked KM1 and KM2.
Flexible - have greater plasticity for creating bent and arched structures. They can be single-layer or double-layer.
Increased density (curl panel type) - can withstand heavy loads.

Any MDF panel for wall cladding can have a coating that not only gives it a certain aesthetic appearance, but also to varying degrees serves as protection from environmental factors.

As decorative covering different materials can serve.

Film or plastic (melamine, PVC). In essence, plastic is a film of greater thickness. The material laminated in this way can look almost anything: imitate any natural material (stone, wood), be glossy or matte, smooth or textured, plain, colored or with a pattern (pattern). Laminated coating may have a holographic or 3D effect.
Veneer– a thin layer of wood, specially treated – a high-quality product made from veneer based on particle board practically no different from a solid wood panel. However, it is this coating that provides the least protection from moisture or scratches. Veneer can be painted in almost any wood shade and has the appropriate texture.
Enamel or any other suitable look paints– less durable than plastic, but if damaged, it can be restored locally or the painted layer can be completely replaced with a new one. The coating is monochromatic, but the choice of shades is huge.

Scope of application

From MDF boards make furniture, doors, interior partitions. Thanks to in different ways installation, they can be fixed to almost any base - that is, the wall can be concrete, brick, etc. You can cover walls, floors and even ceilings with panels of different properties.

Solid pressed raw panels are used for wall decoration in non-residential, domestic and utility premises. It is important that the room maintains a constant temperature and is dry. In conditions of high humidity, you need to use a special type of product. The same can be used to decorate a bathroom or toilet; an alternative to them can be laminated sheets.

Of course, when decorating an apartment or house, it is important that the walls complement the decoration of the room. In the living room you can display all the variety of decor of such panels. Wood veneer or film coating will perfectly complement classic interior. By the way, there will be matte ones here neutral shades. For modern trends you can choose more bold decisions. Bright painted surfaces or glossy film with a pattern will allow you to place accents in the right places. Practical embossed variegated coverings are convenient to place in the kitchen, hallway, hallway and other common areas where the most dust and dirt accumulate. They are very easy to clean, and small scratches will be simply unnoticeable.

MDF panels can be safely mounted in a nursery or bedroom, since this material fully complies with sanitary and building regulations. And with the help of well-chosen colors you can calm the child down or, conversely, create the mood for active educational games.

In public places: educational institutions, hospitals, train stations, theaters, as well as corridors for evacuation of people, in addition to providing environmental safety and have a nice appearance, panels

MDF must have properties such as low flammability, flammability and flame propagation, and low levels of smoke and toxic products.

Fire-resistant chipboard panels can be fixed directly next to stoves, fireplaces, and heating boilers. However, there will be no harm from simple room heating elements (pipes or radiators), even the usual variety.

How to cut?

During the installation process, situations arise when building materials need to be adjusted to the desired size. And to install the first panel you need to cut off part of it (the ridge). According to experts, cutting MDF products is practically no different from cutting wooden products.

Some difficulties may still arise during this process.

The edge along the cutting line may crumble.
The film coating may peel off or wrinkle under the influence of tools. Especially if the quality of adhesion to the panel itself leaves much to be desired.
The glossy surface scratches very easily and therefore requires special care.

If you are afraid of not being able to cope and ruining the products, you can purchase products of the required format or contact a specialized organization (for example, a furniture workshop), where they can help you for a fee.

For cutting with my own hands markings need to be made. For the calculation to be correct, you will need: a ruler, square, tape measure, level or laser level. We draw the cutting line so that it can be easily erased. In this case, the decorated side should not be on the bottom so that there are no scratches on it. We place it on the workbench, securely fix it and start cutting. To make the cut more even, you can glue it with tape, or move the tool directly along the pressed bar.

The main controversy concerns instruments. You can use any tool used for this purpose in the woodworking industry.

Suitable for this:

hand saw (both for wood and metal);
jigsaw (regular or electric);
a circular saw;
milling cutter

In order to save time and effort, it is better to carry out a large constant amount of work with power tools. One-time work can be done manually. The main thing is that the teeth of the nozzles are small. We start from any side, move the saw smoothly, without jerking. Small chips and irregularities on the film can be cleaned with sandpaper.

How to install?

There are two main ways to install MDF wall panels:

stick;
place on a metal or wooden frame.

In the first case, you need glue suitable for working with wood products. It can not only be used for gluing, but also for leveling recesses in places where screws are screwed in. The glue can be colored or transparent.

In the second case, a wooden sheathing is applied to the wall or metal structure. The advantage of wood is ease of installation, environmental friendliness and the use of fewer hardware and connecting parts. But wood will cost more than metal, so this method is less affordable. Installation metal frame has its own difficulties - it requires a certain skill and the acquisition of special tools.

Let's look at the process of fixing MDF wall panels to frame base in details.

The working wall needs to be prepared. Remove baseboards and switch and socket boxes. Take care of the output of wires for sockets that will be located on the panels. Damaged wall decoration needs to be cleaned down to the ground.
The wood slats or blocks you will use will need to be pre-treated to make them resistant to mildew, mold or pests.
Additionally, you need to take care of fastening the planks to the wall. For wood, you can use self-tapping screws or dowel nails.
We start with the corner vertical slats. They are placed in pairs to form an angle. Having made the markings, we drill holes in the wall for hardware (in increments of about 7 cm on average) and put plastic sockets for self-tapping screws in them.

We apply the strip to the wall, transfer the markings to it, drill it, and connect it to the wall.
Horizontal parts are attached in the same way.
Door and window openings deserve special attention. The slats are fixed along their perimeter, regardless of whether the step mark falls on them or not.
The evenness of the vertical slats and crossbars is checked using a level or plumb line. Irregularities at the joints of the slats must be smoothed with a plane.

The technology for installing a metal frame has its own characteristics.

The process itself is similar to installing a wooden one. However, for a metal structure you will need CD profiles and UD guides.
IN vertical racks(UD) CD profiles are inserted and pushed to the required location.
Then we drill holes in the wall by analogy with wooden joists. Long self-tapping screws are used for fastening to the wall surface. And the profiles are connected to each other by short ones. The CD profile requires connectors (also called ears).

After installing the frame, laying the panels begins.

You should start from the corner. The panel with the sawn ridge is placed first, and the next one is attached to it using a lock in which the ridge of one piece is aligned with the groove of the other.
The panels are secured with small nails (if the frame is wooden) or clamping brackets (if metal).
To attach the last two panels correctly, the last one needs to make the ridge less wide. Then connect both at an angle and press on them, straightening the connection.
The last pieces should be pressed tightly against each other and fixed to the frame with self-tapping screws.
Gaps in the corner, as well as between the wall and the floor (ceiling), are closed using corners and decorative skirting boards(they can be glued).

To install MDF panels correctly, use the advice of professionals.

To ensure reliability, the panels along their length must be fastened along vertical slats or profiles.
Additionally, when installing panels on the frame, you can insulate the walls polyurethane foam or sheet foam materials, increase the level of sound insulation. They can be fixed into the cells between the slats. This sizing reduces heat exchange with the external environment and reduces the cost of maintaining heat in the room and its air conditioning.
If pipes are hidden behind the panels. The profile height must be calculated based on the thickness plus the margin. It is better to place the wiring in special protective pipes, since ordinary MDF does not protect against water ingress.

Since laminated panels are vapor-tight, fungus or mold often develops behind them. The material of the walls also influences this. Brick allows moisture to pass through, so a primer must be applied to it. It is better to treat the gaps between the wall and the panel in the bathroom or kitchen with sealant.
At glue method installation, the wall surface must be perfectly flat. If this is not the case, the wall panel will, of course, hide them, but there will be gaps between it and the wall.
When distributing panels, you need to take into account the pattern. For example, the direction of wood fiber. Perhaps alternating vertical and horizontal patterns looks creative, but in most cases it is better to select the details more carefully.

The option of surface cladding using MDF panels is currently gaining popularity. The reason is that with their help you can quickly carry out facing work over a large area. An additional plus is that when working with them, the wall will not require additional finishing in the future. It is also worth noting that decorating walls with panels yourself is doubly economical.

An important advantage of the panels is that their installation is simple and understandable to everyone, and anyone can install them.

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MDF - what is it?

MDF - fine faction From this faction are being manufactured wall panels for interior decoration. The manufacturing stages are as follows: wood shavings, fine in composition granules, are sent under a dry press. An important point is processing using high temperature and high pressure.

In order to bind the particles together and make the panel monolithic, they add special resins(usually urea), which are modified with melamine.

An undoubted advantage in choosing MDF panels is that they belong to the class of highly environmentally friendly materials. According to the principle of installation and installation, use in home interior finishing using MDF panels is reminiscent of the process of working with lining. However, such panels are cheaper in price.

Installation is usually carried out in two ways - by mounting on a lathing, which acts as a frame, or by mounting on a wall using various adhesives or “liquid” nails.

Such compositions are used when installing wooden materials, as well as when sealing various holes and cracks, because their structure contains filler in the form of sawdust.

The main thing is to choose an adhesive composition that matches the color, since otherwise the areas of “grease” will stand out inharmoniously against the general background.

It should also be noted that MDF plates are made in a huge range of colors and tones and can have patterns of different relief structures. You can find imitation stone. All this suggests that such panels can be suitable for almost any interior. Their undeniable advantage is that during installation the panels can be combined in both vertical and horizontal positions.

It is worth noting that often, when the room seems not high enough, the vertical arrangement of the panels on the wall will help to visually “grow” the finished wall. For tall but narrow rooms, all recommendations are exactly the opposite.

It is important to take into account when choosing that such panels are produced in different formats (length and width), so first of all we need to decide what result we want to see in the end.

Required Tools

For convenience and ease of implementation finishing works It is recommended to prepare in advance and collect the tools necessary for the work. They will speed up the installation of panels and make it quite easy. So, we need:

A jigsaw or a special saw that will allow you to cut vertically.
Ordinary bubble level.
Measuring tools – rulers, angles, pencils and markers.
Drill or ordinary screwdriver.
Stapler (preferably a construction one).
Hammer.
Pliers.

Main rules for installing panels

Installation of MDF panels on any surface is carried out in two ways - using adhesives and installing a frame.

Both of the installation options can easily be used for finishing MDF panels in both private houses and simple residential apartments. When working with adhesive compositions, it is important to take into account one important nuance - the surface of the wall for cladding must be perfectly flat and smooth. In this case, it is recommended to first carry out the work using plasterboard or using plasters or putties.

When installing panels using adhesive compounds, only adhesive compounds or “liquid” nails and some fittings will serve as additional materials.

For cases where it is necessary to hide communications under MDF panels or insulation, it is better to use the option of installing lamellas on a frame base. In addition, such a frame will make an ideal plane out of any, even the most uneven surface, which will become an important foundation for reliable installation MDF panels.

The frame itself can be assembled from bars (wooden) or profiles (metal). It should be noted that attaching panels to a wooden frame is much easier than to a metal one. In the case of wood, regular nails or staples from a construction stapler will do. A metal frame will require self-tapping screws, which necessitates the use of an additional tool - a screwdriver.

When a frame is used, a gap is formed between the wall and the cladding; wires, pipes can be removed into it, or insulation materials can be laid. However, it should be understood that such gaps, dark and sometimes damp, are attractive to fungal colonies such as mold. So it is very important before the installation process to dry the wall if it is damp, and additionally treat it with special protective compounds in order to avoid the formation of fungi.

So, to build the frame we will need:

Preparing the surface

You can start preparing the surface only when it has been previously dried (of course, if such a measure is required and the wall in the room is damp). We have already emphasized earlier why this is important. The main thing is not to carry out facing works on top of a damp wall.

The process of preparing the walls itself consists of the following simple steps:

Cleaning the wall. When the surface is covered with wallpaper, it is important to remove it, because in a confined space old wallpaper will become a very attractive environment for the appearance and proliferation of fungi and mold, and sometimes insect pests. If the wallpaper is glued well enough, you will first have to wet it or steam it using the same clothes iron; then removing it will not be difficult if you use an ordinary spatula. In rare cases, it may be necessary to use a special composition that will help get rid of the wallpaper layer. In case the wall is plastered or well painted water-based paints, cleaning work can be skipped.

Surface treatment. In cases where your wall has already been attacked by mold or other types of fungi, or perhaps insects, it is recommended to thoroughly treat it. It is advisable to use compositions such as “anti-mold” or “whiteness”. Before the processing process, you can scrape the surface with a spatula. After applying antiseptics and healing compounds to the wall, it is recommended to go over the wall again with a spatula, and then repeat the treatment process. The ideal option would be when the affected surface is cleaned to the ground: all traces of fungi or insect activity are completely removed.

It is important to understand that it is better to carry out such work when using means personal protection such as respirators or masks. Indeed, in case of unintentional inhalation of plaster particles or suspensions affected by fungus, unpleasant health consequences can occur.

Treatment of cracks. If, after removing the wallpaper layer or poorly applied plaster, cracks are found on the surfaces, it is recommended to carry out work to eliminate them. This procedure is especially important if it is planned to place heat-insulating or sound-proofing materials under the MDF panels. It is important to understand that unsealed cracks can become “bridges” for the entry of cold into the room, creating factors favorable for the formation of mold, such as dampness and darkness. In order for the layer of plaster or putty to adhere well, it is recommended to widen the crack a little and, if possible, deepen it. Next, you should get rid of traces of old plaster and treat the crack using a deep penetration primer. After the primer has dried, the cracks are sealed with putty or plaster. It is important to fill the crack to its full depth.

Application of primer. When the first three steps are completed, you should start priming the entire surface. It is important to choose soil compositions so that they contain antiseptics. This choice will help prevent the formation of mold and fungi and protect against insects settling under the panels. In case of cladding wooden walls it is necessary to select a soil that also includes special fire retardants. They are designed to increase resistance to fire influences. It is important to remember that the primer is applied in two or three layers, each previous one must dry thoroughly before applying the next.
Installation of insulation. We go through this stage if the MDF is installed on the lathing. Penofol is ideal for this purpose; it is usually glued to a primed surface.

Frame installation process

It is important to install the frame correctly and correctly. First you need to decide how the frame elements will be installed - vertically or horizontally. For horizontal orientation, the guides are installed vertically, and vice versa for vertical orientation.

The frame is attached to a layer of insulation. You should choose a step between the guides of 5-6 centimeters. It is important to observe and control the evenness of the installation.

In order to determine the vertical (ideal), a plumb line is used. An ordinary level is suitable for determining horizontal lines. After marking it, it is not difficult to install our guides for future sheathing. It is important to consider that it is better to install the first guide in the corner of the room or along the floor area.

Installing MDF panels on a frame

When the frame is ready, and the communications are installed and hidden properly, we begin the most important process - installation of the panels.

This work begins with the preparation of the panels themselves. Using measuring instruments, markings are made, along which a cut is made using a jigsaw or an ordinary hacksaw.

It is important to remember that:

The first MDF panel must be mounted at a level for ideal horizontal or vertical, otherwise the cladding and installation of other subsequent elements will be crooked and uneven.
The starting panels are installed with tenons in the corners and secured with self-tapping screws. When using a metal frame, the clamps are secured with small self-tapping screws with a small head.
The tenon of each new panel fits closely to the groove of the already installed one. Next, it is important to adjust the position of the panel using a level.
Thus, the paneling is carried out to the end of the surface. It is recommended to fix the final panel using self-tapping screws. We will hide them in the future with the help of decorative corners.

Installation with adhesive solution

It is worth immediately noting that this option for installing panels is much simpler and easier than the first one, frame method fastenings

Particular attention should be paid adhesive compositions. They must meet certain requirements. Among them:

The plasticity of the glue must be maintained even after its initial drying, otherwise deformation of the MDF panels is likely. It is important to choose a composition that is not afraid of moisture and temperature changes.
The consistency of the composition should be thick in order to be able to apply it in a thin layer or a thicker layer.

“Liquid” nails, which can easily be found in any hardware store, ideally meet these requirements.

So, let's begin. On inner surface Apply glue to the panels in a thin layer or in waves. After this, the panel is pressed tightly against the wall, torn off, left to stand for 5 minutes, and then pressed again to the required location. It will take half a minute to hold it in this position for secure fixation.

If necessary, the finishing panel is measured and cut to the required size. The last panel is fixed with a self-tapping screw.

At the end of the work, we install the fittings. We attach pre-prepared corners and baseboards at the joints of planes and at doorways.

Advantages and disadvantages

Decorating walls with MDF panels yourself is good, but you should take into account the nuances.

Pros: ease of installation, variety of colors and textures, the ability to install communications when choosing a frame installation method, no additional finishing in the future, ease of maintenance, accessibility.

Minuses: the presence of protrusions and gaps; when choosing a frame, the formation of gaps between the wall and the lamella, which reduces the area of the room, and also provides the opportunity for the development of fungus and mold - if the wall is not carefully treated, insufficient mechanical strength, minimal moisture resistance.

Bottom line

Now that you are so familiar with features of MDF panels and the intricacies of their installation, all that remains is to make your choice of the most suitable lamellas for the design. Finishing MDF walls panels - a good choice for your home. Good luck! And let your home be beautiful and cozy.