MDF is a board made from wood fibers mixed with resin and pressed under heat and high pressure. It has a flat, smooth surface, so it takes Melamine, Laminate, Acrylic or paint well. Most custom kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and TV units today are made from it. Our price list splits MDF into three groups, and the question we hear most often is which group to choose.
Standard MDF
This is the basic type, with the yellowish-brown core of the wood fibers. It is stable in dry conditions and suits wardrobes, bookshelves, TV units and desks in bedrooms and living rooms. Its weakness is water: once water soaks into the core through a cut edge or a scratch, the board swells and does not return to its original shape.
Moisture-resistant MDF
Moisture-resistant board uses a resin that copes better with humidity. Manufacturers usually dye the core green so it is easy to recognize, which is why it is also called green-core MDF. The green color is only a marker; the moisture resistance comes from the resin.
Moisture-resistant does not mean waterproof. The board handles humidity and light splashes that are wiped dry, but it will still fail if it sits in water for a long time. That is why, even with moisture-resistant board, the edges must be fully edge-banded and kitchen cabinet bases should be raised off the floor.
An Cường MDF
An Cường is a major manufacturer of engineered wood boards in Vietnam. Each of its colors and surfaces has its own code, so you choose a color by code and can check that exact code on delivery. In our price list, An Cường MDF comes in two grades: standard and moisture-resistant. The other two groups, standard MDF and moisture-resistant MDF, are boards from other manufacturers and cost less. Colors and board codes are on the Materials page.
Which board for which area
| Area | Recommended board | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets, vanity units, cabinets near a window or balcony | Moisture-resistant MDF | Regular steam and splashes |
| Shoe cabinets near the front door | Moisture-resistant MDF | Wet shoes bring moisture in |
| Wardrobes, beds, TV units and desks in dry rooms | Standard or moisture-resistant MDF | Standard MDF is enough; choose moisture-resistant on the ground floor or in humid areas |
Price difference
Take a wardrobe as an example. The table below shows our reference price ranges per square meter of wardrobe front, in million VND, excluding VAT.
| Item | Unit | Standard MDF | Moisture-resistant MDF | Moisture-resistant MDF, painted doors | An Cường MDF | An Cường moisture-resistant MDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wardrobes | m² | 2.07 – 2.63 | 2.29 – 2.90 | 2.73 – 3.45 | 2.73 – 3.45 | 3.00 – 3.80 |
- Wardrobe 2.4 m long and 2.6 m high, standard MDF: about 12.9 – 16.5 million VND. See the calculation
- The same wardrobe in moisture-resistant MDF: about 14.2 – 18.1 million VND. See the calculation
- The same wardrobe in An Cường moisture-resistant MDF: about 18.7 – 23.8 million VND. See the calculation
If your budget is limited, a sensible split is moisture-resistant board for the kitchen and areas near water, and standard board for dry rooms. You can try different options on the Products and reference prices page.
