The abbreviation HDF is an unfamiliar term. This is the name of one of the varieties of fiberboard. Capital letters repeat the combination of Latin letters HDF, the decoding of which means the English expression High Density Fiberboard. Translated into Russian - high-density fiberboard.
What is HDF?
The raw material for the manufacture of HDF sheets is wood shavings from waste from woodworking industries. Sanitary deforestation is also a significant help in ensuring the production of HDF panels.
HDF boards are a wood product created by pressing shredded chips to a state of fine fiber. The high temperature pressure of the fiber mixed with organic binders makes it possible to obtain particularly durable sheets of environmentally friendly material.
HDF sheets are made from 2.5 mm to 6 mm thick. Standard boards usually come in two sizes - 2.5x2.8 m and 2.07x2.8 m. In contrast to MDF, fiberboard HDF panels have a high density - up to 1000 kg / m3.
What is the difference between HDF, MDF and fiberboard
Fiberboard does not withstand heavy loads. Where the HDF cladding does not experience any deformation, fiberboard can crack and even break.
Products from MDF are intended for the formation of supporting structures of furniture. MDF webs are made massive - 40–50 mm thick. HDF sheets are made with a thickness of not more than 6 mm.
Production
For the production of high-density fiberboards, round timber and woodworking waste are used predominantly. From 70 to 80% of the initial mass is coniferous wood, and 20-30% is raw material of deciduous trees. All this is processed into wood chips. The production of high-density fiberboard consists of several stages.
- First, the chips are sieved, washed and kept in a digester under a steam pressure of 10 bar. Then the mass is ground in a special mill (refiner) to obtain the fibers of the desired thickness.
- They are mixed with glue and blown into a long dryer tube.
- After the fibers reach 12–15% moisture, the feed is fed through a cyclone to a separator, where it removes foreign particles and lumps of glue.
- Then the fiber web enters the line of presses. Primary compression compresses the mass and removes air from it.
- After that, trimming the edges.
- Finally, the fiber web is compacted on the main continuous press at a temperature of 240˚. Special rollers form HDF boards of the required thickness.
- They are trimmed, weighed and delivered to the refrigerator. There the products are kept for 2-3 days.
- In the future, part goes to the finished goods warehouse, and the rest of the sheets undergo additional processing for use as floor, wall topcoats or decorated panels.
- The result is a durable sheet material with high moisture resistance. Finished panels are additionally cut and sent to the distribution network.
Views
Sheet material is produced in three types:
Sanded slabs
The surface is ground to the state of suitability for painting and varnishing. Sheets cover the floors, veneered vertical fences indoors. HDF panels are used to level rough floors for laying the final floor covering.
Sanded sheets are used in furniture production.. They make the back walls of cabinets, cabinets, drawer bottoms and cases of upholstered furniture.
Decorative HDF sheets
Several layers of dispersion varnishes of various colors are applied to the sheets. Using special drawing technology, surfaces are obtained that mimic the structure of valuable wood species. Wall paneling gives the room a noble, sophisticated look.
Lhdf
One of the varieties of fiberboard is LHDF. The material is the basis of laminated parquet boards. LHDF sheets are used for interior doors, accent walls and kitchen furniture aprons.
Advantages and disadvantages
The material has several advantages:
- ecological cleanliness;
- HDF characteristics are close to those of natural wood;
- products are easily processed with any tools;
- products are much cheaper than similar wood products;
- moisture resistance;
- abrasion resistance;
- long service life;
- resistance to aggressive environments.
The disadvantages include the fact that the sheets do not withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. In case of fire, the material begins to release harmful substances.
Application
Durable sheet material is used in interior decoration. Wood-fiber panels are used in the formation of surfaces of floors, walls, ceilings, the manufacture of kitchen aprons, panels, accent walls and interior doors. Of the sheets make furniture parts.
Floors
When overhauling residential premises, the question often arises of how to lay a new floor covering without dismantling old wooden floorboards. Solve the problem as follows.
- Wooden floors are evened with putty. Damaged areas are replaced with new boards.
- The floors are covered with roll waterproofing.
- HDF sheets are placed on top of the film. The seams between the sheets are putty.
- Fastening the plates to the old coating is carried out with screws. Recesses are made under the fastener heads so that the screw caps do not protrude above the fiberboard surface.
- After this, installation of the floor covering is started (linoleum, carpet, laminated parquet).
The thickness of the subfloor made of HDF is better to choose from 4 mm to 6 mm. Sheets can be used to level concrete floors. HDF panels have good thermal insulation properties. They are used as the basis of warm floors.
Walls
Sanded panels clad walls in office space or in corridors. Sheets cover vertical fences to the full height or make a border. Facing is performed in several stages.
- The walls are leveled with cement mortar and putty.
- Install the crate. A wooden beam of 40x40 mm or a metal profile for drywall is used.
- HDF sheets are cut into fragments so that the joining seams between the panels are exactly in the middle of the beam or metal profile.
- If necessary, the openings of the crate are filled with insulation.
- Sheets are fixed with screws using a screwdriver.
- Butt joints are putty. Sometimes places of vertical abutment are covered with decorative filigree.
- The surface of the cladding is papered, varnished or painted.
- Horizontal adjacencies of sheets to the ceiling and floor are covered with cornices and baseboards.
HDF tiles with imitation stone or precious wood are fastened with small nails to the crate.
Partitions
Unlike drywall, partitions made of HDF panels are very durable and do not vibrate. The construction of piers is performed as follows:
- On the ceiling and the floor, guides of a wooden beam of 40x40 mm or 50x50 mm are fixed. It is held by metal corners, which are fastened to the timber with screws, and to the floor and ceiling with dowels.
- Then establish vertical racks and cross ties from the same beam.
- The crate is sheathed with HDF sheets.
- Kosoures are inserted into the opening of the partition and the door is hung.
- The adjacencies of the wall to the floor and ceiling are covered with cornices and baseboards.
- The surface of the partition is primed, pasted with wallpaper or finished with other materials.
Ceiling
False ceilings are made from HDF panels. To do this, apply thin sanded panels with a thickness of not more than 2.5 mm.
The technology for lining ceilings with HDF boards is the same as for wall decoration. Hanging surfaces are painted or wallpaper.
Kitchen apron
The vertical surface between the work table and the wall cabinets is often contaminated during food processing. To protect the wall, it is covered with an apron.
For the manufacture of such a panel, sheets of LDHF (laminated aprons with drawings or photo printing) are used. The protective coating of the panel does not fade and does not fade under the influence of ultraviolet rays. The surface is easily washed from any dirt.
Panel and accent walls
LDHF panels are used as panels and accent walls. The panel differs from the accent in that it occupies almost the entire surface of the wall, and the decorative wall can be small in size.
Like aprons, various patterns, patterns or photographs are applied to these panels. In special workshops you can order any image.
Interior doors
Door leafs made of HDF panels are lightweight compared to wooden or plastic doors. Making these doors yourself is pretty easy:
- from a beam of 40x40 mm or 50x50 mm, a frame with a cross member is assembled;
- the frame should correspond to the dimensions of the doorway;
- on both sides it is sheathed with HDF sheets;
- the upper part is sometimes glassy;
- hinged loops are fixed on the kosour and frame;
- install door handles;
- the door surface is primed and subjected to finishing;
- doors are hung on hinges in the opening.
HDF Care
Wood based panels require proper care. In order for the HDF cladding to last for many years, you need to follow a few tips:
- the surface of the material must always be kept clean;
- avoid the use of aggressive cleaning agents - wet cleaning is enough;
- heating appliances must be installed at a safe distance from the lining;
- Protect panels from sharp mechanical influences.
Following these simple tips will extend the life of the cladding material.. With all the positive qualities of HDF sheets, a significant advantage is its low price.