Go Back  DoItYourself.com Community Forums > Interior Improvement Center > Paneling and Trim
Reload this Page >

any truth to MDF 'puckering' when nailed?

any truth to MDF 'puckering' when nailed?


  #1  
Old 09-10-05, 10:04 PM
F
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 694
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
any truth to MDF 'puckering' when nailed?

I heard from my installer friend that MDF tends to 'pucker' when a nail is shot into it. I assume he means the area around the nail is somewhat raised and is noticable. He said to go with pine instead. Everything I've read leads me to believe that MDF is a cheaper, easier alternative to work with.

Any truth to this 'puckering' theory?
 
  #2  
Old 09-11-05, 10:30 AM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,659
Received 835 Upvotes on 732 Posts
Never noticed MDF puckering from installation. MDF paints well and can look as good as more expensive trim when new. What I don't like about MDF is how it can't handle much abuse. It isn't near as durable as pine.
 
  #3  
Old 09-11-05, 10:43 AM
F
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 694
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I thought MDF was harder than pine?
 
  #4  
Old 09-11-05, 12:18 PM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,061
Received 1,910 Upvotes on 1,716 Posts
MDF is more dense than pine, and when you shoot nails into some types of MDF trim, the surface of the MDF will become raised around the nail head just as you have described. Often, nail holes in MDF will have to be filled then sanded down smooth before they can be painted. The reason it "puckers" is that since it is medium density, when a nail is shot into it, it won't compress around the nail like wood will- it has a tendency to raise up around the head, or even split such as when you attempt to nail into the end-grain of a piece of MDF fibercore.

This is not a big deal, and shouldn't be a reason why one would avoid using MDF. Its just one of the things you occasionally have to deal with when working with it.
 
  #5  
Old 09-11-05, 02:57 PM
F
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 694
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
thanks for the replies. It's really a lot easier material to use I think, and cost is much less than pine. I can deal with the occasional bump for the price and ease of use.


Thanks guys !!
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: