Wall decoration with MDF panels: rules for the performance of work

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

MDF wall paneling

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

Advantages and disadvantages of MDF panels

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

• Installation of this material is dry. That is, you do not need to do lengthy leveling of the walls and spend days on it.
  Of course, this should be attributed to the merits;
• You can also immediately do additional wall insulation, it will be just like an addition, not a separate work, so the costs will decrease;
• Wall decoration MDF boards are completely done with your own hands and without any help. This significantly reduces the cost of the entire structure;
• Finishing MDF panels, even without the use of additional materials, is additional heat and sound insulation;
• After installation, you do not need to do additional cladding of the plane. And this is a direct cost reduction.

And how to do without disadvantages, 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 saw the finish of MDF panels in the office, the lower edge of the finish is not attractive. It cracks and swells.
  Therefore, it is immediately worth saying that they should not be mounted in the veranda. Here the temperature drops and even splashes from the shoes can fall onto the coating;
• Such decoration occupies a usable area; it is mounted on a frame. Moreover, there is the possibility of mechanical damage and repairs while making it unnoticed will be impossible;
• Low fire safety of the material can also push away the consumer;
• Well and the main thing, they will be extremely ridiculous and office look in the hall. But if you apply them when decorating your office or hallway (seeDecorating the entrance hall with MDF panels: types of panels and installation), then it will be just right.

Start finishing

If you decide to apply this type of wall decoration and everything suits you, then for a start it is worth looking at the interiors with MDF trim. 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 during its implementation 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 more than 10 cm and at the same time it was damp. Then it will have to be completely removed.
Otherwise, MDF panels will absorb moisture and will flake and warp. And then the mount will turn out not too strong.
It takes too long screws.

So:

• We clean the plane from the previous coating and for this we use a brush for metal. We remove everything from wallpaper to plaster.
  We should have a completely clean base;

Remove the old coating

• Now you should treat the surface with antiseptics, they are on the free market. Prefer deep penetration fluid and do it a couple of times.
  Do it without fail, it will significantly extend the life of the entire structure;
• After cleaning and processing, the surface should be coated with a primer layer. To do this, use a brush or spray.

Installation of the crate

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

The use of wood in the crate

Attention: If you have chosen a tree for the frame, then it should be treated with antiseptics and done in advance.
This will significantly increase the life of the wood and prevent 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 can’t fix it by irregularities.
  And the edges should completely match in height. To do this, take a plumb line and put it against the wall and determine the degree of its deviation.
  You should immediately take into account the thickness of the insulation, if you will install it. We put marks on the wall at the top and bottom.
  After that it is necessary to connect these points and for this we use kapron thread. So do on all planes.
  This will be marked with the contour of fastening the panels;
• Now take the slats and cut them to the desired size. Please note that they should be made a little shorter, about one cm.
  They should not be attached end to end against the wall. This will help you avoid troubles with temperature changes;
• We fasten the slats. If the wall is made of wood, then self-tapping screws are perfect.
  If the plane is concrete or brick, then you should make holes with a punch and then make a connection using dowels. We make the fastening step not less than 40 cm;

Attention: It is not necessary to use the expansion bolt shield from sets.
Get the plastic dummy separately and the screws for them a couple of mm more from the cross section of the plastic hole. Such a connection will provide the required rigidity of the connection and will allow you to perform the job efficiently.

• Now we cut the slats in size for transverse mounting. It’s worth saying here.
  That the rail should be perpendicular to the MDF panel. Cut and fasten.

Be sure to check the installation plane

Attention: Before fastening the transverse material, it is worthwhile to pull the line along the diagonals of the plane. In this option, you will immediately see the installation height and make the correct adjustment using gaskets.

Wiring installation

You can watch the wall decoration with MDF video panels and there you can see that we do the wiring further. After all, sockets are also necessary.
It is worth noting, never pick up the cable cross-section end to end, consider its thickness in the direction of increase by 20 percent.
So:

• We determine the installation location and put a mark;
• Now we find the place to connect to the network;
• We take the cable and connect it and after that we mount it to the wall;

Attention: When conducting these works, it is worth turning off the light in the room. It is important.
Do not risk it. We make all connections with the help of terminal blocks, they will ensure its reliability.
Avoid twisting. It can only do harm.

• At the places of installation of outlets, we release the cable so that it is long enough with a margin and we attach it to the surface;
• After that, you can immediately mount and insulation. It is worth saying that it should lie tight, but not be deformed, otherwise it loses its properties.

Panel Installation

The use of mdf for decoration is not so often used, its installation is a little more complicated, for example, from plastic, and therefore the approach is slightly different.
Installation of panels is done according to the rules and the sequence of work should not be changed:

• The panels are connected using a tongue-and-groove lock, which is made in the form of a ridge. The panels can be attached to the crate and with the help of nails, which should be nailed diagonally to the end.
  Just beat just not worth it. The panel may be damaged.
  It is better to drill a hole first and drive the nail, while applying an overlay on it from a bar. This way you will not damage the panel itself;

We look at the fastening of the first panel with a kleimer

• Mounting can also be done with kleimers. This is a toothed bracket that attaches to the panel and crate and securely connects surfaces.
  Only here the work will be more complicated and longer. But the connection will be made reliably.
  And if necessary, it will always be possible to remove the panels and without damaging them;

Kleimer for fastening

• All work starts from the corner of the room, which is located from the window. Here the light falls most well and all errors are immediately visible.
  We try on the panel and cut it with a hacksaw with a small tooth. After this, it is worth lightly processing the cut with sandpaper so that the fringe from the material does not get into the connection.
  Then there will be no opportunity to qualitatively perform a fit of surfaces;
• To fasten the first panel, you must immediately remove the tongue and fasten with nails, as mentioned above. On the side of the groove location, we fasten with a kleimer or nails;

Caution: There are several types of panels. And if you made an incision that is visible from the outside, then it’s worth immediately sticking the tape that will hide the incision.

Making the end face with tape

• Now we apply the next panel and try on. If necessary, make fit.
  After that, insert into the groove. We make mounting on the groove a convenient way for you.
  So do the lining of the entire plane;
• First we attach the last panel and make marks along the section. After that, we connect the risks and cut the panels.
  Glue the veneer on the end. After that, the panel comb should be cut in half and round the edge. Fasten;
• We do the same thing with another panel, which dock in the corner. Only we press on the edge until it clicks on the previous one, for this we cut the comb;

We try on and wind the panel into the groove

• At the outlet outlet, proceed as follows, first try on the panel. And mark the output.
  After that, we put it on a flat surface and make a hole with a crown and a drill. Just do not press hard.
  Then the glossy finish starts to break and spoil the look. Press smoothly and slowly.
  After that, the panel is attached, and do not forget to output these wires in front;
• Now we are doing the final work and fixing the baseboard, which will always hide the inaccuracies of the joints.

Thereafter type of wall decoration make slopes. This work is indispensable.
Mounting will also be performed on the frame. All work is done completely by hand.
There is a detailed article on this topic on our website. As you can see, everything can be done, and if you do it yourself, then you will save a significant amount and the price of all work will significantly decrease.
The most important thing is not to rush and do all the markup correctly.