Blog · · 2 min read
Solid wood or MDF? Choosing materials for salon and spa furniture
When two quotes for a salon fit-out differ a lot in price, the material is often the reason. Solid wood and MDF are both used in furniture, and each has a place. This guide compares them fairly so that you can decide what belongs where in your salon.
What they are
Solid wood is timber cut from the tree and shaped into parts. MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is an engineered board made from wood fibres pressed with resin, usually covered with veneer, laminate or paint.
How they compare in daily use
- Strength and wear. Solid wood holds screws and joints well and tolerates knocks. MDF is uniform and smooth but its edges and corners are more easily damaged, especially where parts are loaded or moved often.
- Repair. A scratched or dented solid wood surface can usually be sanded and refinished. Damaged MDF is harder to repair invisibly.
- Moisture. Salons and spas have splashes, humidity and cleaning products. Unsealed MDF swells when it absorbs water, so every edge and surface must be properly sealed. Solid wood moves with humidity too, so it needs a good finish and well-made joints.
- Finish and look. MDF takes paint very evenly and suits flat, smooth modern shapes. Solid wood shows natural grain and warmth and suits visible frames and legs.
- Cost. MDF is usually cheaper, which is why it is common for cabinets and large flat panels.
Where each makes sense
There is no need to treat this as a contest. Many well-built interiors use solid wood where parts carry weight or are touched constantly, such as frames, legs and table tops, and engineered boards where flat panels are protected, such as the insides of cabinets. What matters is that the choice is made deliberately and the supplier tells you what is used where.
Our massage table, for example, is built on a solid wood frame, because it must stay rigid under load every day. See the Venus solid wood spa massage table.
Questions to ask any supplier
- Which material is used for each visible and structural part?
- How are edges sealed, and what finish protects the surface against water and cleaning products?
- For engineered boards, what formaldehyde emission class do they meet (in the EU, look for class E1 or better)?
- Can you see a sample of the finish before you order, and how will it be packed for shipping?
Free layout
Comparing quotes for a fit-out?
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