MDF vs plaster molding?
We are doing a gut rehab of entire brownstone and were planning to use MDF molding throughout. Contractors bidding on the job are recommending plaster. What are pros and cons (besides cost)? they are saying we will be able to tell the difference in looks and will regret choosing MDF. would love any and all…
We are doing a gut rehab of entire brownstone and were planning to use MDF molding throughout. Contractors bidding on the job are recommending plaster.
What are pros and cons (besides cost)? they are saying we will be able to tell the difference in looks and will regret choosing MDF.
would love any and all thoughts!
mdf is garbage..glue and sawdust… it will swell and deform over time… unless you are planning to move out within 3 or 4 years you will regret that choice
Plaster is really nice, sumptuous. But in my lifestyle it’s prohibitively expensive, and I am not fussy or high-fallutin’ enough to truly appreciate it, so if we were talking about my house, it would be MDF all the way.
I think this is the kind of question you can only answer for yourself. If you are at all fetishistic about your ‘stone,
(not that there’s anything wrong with that)
then you should go for the plaster. Definitely. But I wouldn’t let myself get talked into plaster if I were really an MDF guy or gal who would rather spend money on other things.
You can tell. It is not as nice. They are right. It holds the paint differently.
I have to say that I used real plaster throughout my house, despite my architect recommending wood and MDF. It was the best decision I made in the whole project. The plaster is gorgeous – and it looks like nothing else. There is no comparison. If you can afford it (and it was pretty expensive in comparison), you should do it. It made a huge difference in our house. We used Fitz at Absolute Plastering and he did a great job. The only cons I see, besides price, is that it is rather messy and takes longer. But you will not regret it.
Good luck