Types of Materials Usable in the Production of Office Desks

In this article, we intend to introduce you to the types of engineered wood materials used in the industry of producing office desks and home furniture by Deco Sarv.

It is obvious that knowing the materials, advantages, disadvantages, and other differences among them will make the offering of products with different qualities clearer and will make it easier for you, dear customers, to choose.

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The engineered wood materials used in the industry of producing wooden products, in terms of the type of constituent materials and the type of coating and final appearance of the product, are divided into two general categories, which we will examine separately below:

1- Examining engineered wood materials from the perspective of the type of constituent materials

1-1- Chipboard:

Chipboard, or chipboard, is a combination of chips or large wood particles that are mixed with glue and resin and pressed under pressure. In the past, these raw chipboard sheets were painted and used, but due to the roughness of the surface of this material, the preparation process was very troublesome. Therefore, in the continuation of the development of this material, paper coatings or Letrone were used. Letrone coatings were not resistant to moisture, were prone to stains and scratches, and were easily torn. These issues caused, over time, a new coating called melamine to replace paint and Letrone.

Currently, only about 1% of the chipboards consumed in the market are Letrone, but many people mistakenly still call melamine-coated chipboard “Letrone”!

In general, melamine-coated chipboard is a cheap material, and accordingly, it does not have high resistance to moisture and does not have the appropriate strength for producing high-quality Deco Sarv products.

It should again be explained that this material does not have the quality standard of Deco Sarv company for producing its products, and in this company, chipboard material is never used for production.

1-2- MDF:

MDF, or the abbreviation of Medium Density Fiberboard, is derived from the first letters of the words “medium density fiberboard.” MDF is a combination of fine particles and shavings that, along with glue, resin, and some other chemicals, are turned into pulp and compressed and pressed by the refiner machine. The strength and interlocking of these sheets is the result of the combination of these materials and the production process of these boards under atmospheric pressure, drying process, forming, sanding, and pre-coating.

MDF boards produced, depending on the type of composite material, production stages, and the type of machines used in their production process, are available in different qualities in the market. The factor that causes the distinction in quality and price differences among MDF materials is the density of the core of the boards and the type and material of the coating used in the production process.

The higher the density of MDF boards, the more strength and machinability they have in the production process of some luxury wooden products, such as products with polyurethane paint coating.

Products of Deco Sarv company are offered to you, dear customers, from high-density MDF material with various coatings, which we will examine below.

2- Examining MDF material, from the perspective of type of coating

1- MDF with melamine coating

The most common and widely used coating applied on raw MDF is melamine coating. This coating is made of LPM impregnated with formaldehyde glue, and due to high demand and ease of use, it has a very high variety of colors. These coatings, under specific conditions of temperature, pressure, and humidity, are applied on MDF boards in production factories with specialized machines.

Colored melamine-coated MDF boards are produced double-sided with the same color. The color range of these boards includes: plain single-colored coatings with high variety with snowy texture, soapy, needle-like, orange peel, matte, embossed wood design, linen, and concrete or stone-touch textures. The glossiness or matte level of melamine-coated MDF boards is medium and is very different from Hi-Gloss or Super Matt coatings.

2- MDF with deep-embossed coating

Deep-embossed coatings on MDF boards are made of higher-grade melamine and feel similar to wood veins. The high resistance of this coating against scratches and its wood-like sensation has made this type of coating highly popular.

Two of the best deep-embossed coatings in Iran are Faromid deep-embossed MDF boards (product of Faromid company, using Italian embossed coatings) and synchronized (product of Isofam company).

3- MDF with membrane coating

Membrane coating is made of PVC, which is uniformly applied on each piece of raw MDF. The process of attaching the membrane coating on raw MDF is performed by a vacuum machine. The vacuuming process is a technology used to create vacuum and compress the coating by heat and glue on raw MDF.

The pre-vacuuming process is the execution of design or carving by a CNC machine on raw MDF, according to the design and style of the product (classic and neoclassical style).

Among the features of products produced with membrane-coated MDF, we can mention beauty, resistance against scratches, possibility of executing various designs, and uniform application on cut sections. But along with its advantages, if the execution process is not done professionally, it can cause problems.

The disadvantages of products produced with membrane coating include high sensitivity to heat sources and sunlight, sensitivity to contact with sharp objects, and the possibility of detachment and peeling of the coating if poor-quality material and insufficient glue are used in its production process.

4- MDF with Hi-Gloss coating

Hi-Gloss is one of the most beautiful and shiny coatings applied on raw MDF. Hi-Gloss has a glass-like and highly glossy appearance. The reflection of light on products produced with Hi-Gloss material is high and at the same time beautiful. Although this material looks like glass, it is actually a type of compressed glossy plastic.

Because Hi-Gloss coating is expensive, usually only one side of the board is covered with this coating, and the other side is pressed with white melamine coating.

If in the design of a product both sides of the board are visible, usually two boards are glued together, or double-sided Hi-Gloss boards are used, which are more expensive than single-sided ones.

The color range of Hi-Gloss-coated MDF boards is diverse and includes plain single-colored boards, single-colored with acrylic coating, wood design, and steel (inox) design.

It should be noted that this material, due to its polished surface, is highly stain-prone (though easily cleanable with glass cleaner) and is sensitive to scratches from sharp objects.

5- MDF with Super Matt coating

Super Matt coating is one of the most up-to-date and luxurious coatings in modern product production. Super Matt-coated MDF has a velvet touch, and due to the matte nature of this coating, light reflection is at the lowest possible level. High-grade Super Matt MDF boards have anti-stain and anti-fingerprint properties, making them highly resistant to stains and easy to clean with a simple slightly damp cloth.

Super Matt material has acceptable resistance against scratches, and its minor surface scratches can be repaired. But it is necessary to use this material carefully, because due to its uniform surface and even texture, scratches caused by improper use reduce its beauty and elegance.

Super Matt-coated MDF boards are offered to the market in plain single-colored and acrylic colors, and similar to Hi-Gloss coatings, they are produced with one colored side and one white side.

6- MDF with natural wood veneer coating

One of the newest and most luxurious styles of producing wooden products is using MDF boards with natural wood veneer coating. Using thin sheets of natural wood on raw MDF makes the final result look very natural and unique.

This coating is a thin layer of wood from trees such as walnut, oak, maple, cedar, etc., and therefore, the veins present in the used wood are visible on it, adding to its beauty.

After producing products with natural wood veneer-coated MDF, the process of coloring or oiling the wood, depending on the intended style and final color, is performed on it. This part of the work is a specialized and complex process, and if done correctly, in addition to increasing the surface resistance of the product, it doubles the final beauty.

The finishing and coloring process of natural wood veneer coating is time-consuming, and the step-by-step details and the necessity of using high-quality imported paints and oils increase the price of products made with this elegant and luxurious material.

Products produced with natural wood veneer-coated MDF can be in natural wood shades, brown, or desired colors with wood veins in matte or glossy appearance, used either alone or in combination with Super Matt material, adorning your office or home.

7- MDF with polyurethane paint coating

One of the most up-to-date, practical, and popular MDF coatings among customers is polyurethane paint coating. Polyurethane-coated products are actually made from first-grade imported raw MDF, which, after priming and preparation, are ready for painting on all parts of the product.

Polyurethane paint is a combination of resin and hardener. The hardener is a type of solidifier that is also used in car painting. This paint has very high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, which increases the durability and longevity of products.

Among the advantages of this coating are high resistance against water (due to the use of a nano layer on the product), very high color variety and the possibility of producing custom colors, resistance against scratches and abrasion, high durability, uniform and beautiful appearance, and the possibility of creating designs on raw MDF by CNC machine.

The details and various stages of applying polyurethane paint and the need for professional skill in the painting process make the price and, of course, the quality of these products higher than other products in this category.

Finally, it should be explained that proper and suitable maintenance of products will greatly help in preserving their beauty and better durability over time.

We are waiting to hear your opinions and answer your questions, dear customers.

Support Team of Deco Sarv Architecture Group