When buyingbaseboardsin the past, you only had just one choice: natural wood, usually pine or hemlock.
Now, the choice of materials for baseboards and trim has expanded to includeMDFand plastic.
How do MDF and plastic baseboards compare to solid wood baseboards and are they worth purchasing?
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Yet the similarity ends at the mill.
The most popular size of baseboard material is 3 1/4 inches high.
While there are cost differences, these differences are slight, especially in small applications.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Such a minor cost difference may not be noticed in a small room or two.
MDF baseboards can be easier to install than real wood baseboards.
Tip
MDF is not structurally sound by itself as a general building material.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
However, when MDF is coupled with another material, it can be used for baseboards.
The wall behind the baseboards provides enough strength for the baseboards.
Laminate flooringprovides a perfect analogy to MDF baseboards.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
The fiberboard base by itself would likely be the worst possible choice for flooring material, similar to MDF.
MDF, as molding, works in the same way.
Priming and painting provide MDF with a thin protective shell.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
But it’s mainly the wall behind the MDF baseboards that acts as its structural support.
MDF baseboards on straight runs are nearly as strong as real wood baseboards.
Outside corners, though, are MDF’s weak points, since these areas are prone to chipping.
MDF baseboards can last 10 years or more if maintained and kept dry.
As a result, hardwood baseboards are usually stained and sealed.
With real wood baseboards, you have a natural wood grain.
With MDF, there is no wood grain and the baseboards must be primed and painted.
MDF baseboards are usually sold primed because the material ships better this way with less risk of damage.
Real wood, even softwood, is stronger than MDF.
Finger-jointed pine offers a low-cost way to purchase real wood baseboards.
Finger joints, likescarf joints, create long baseboard runs out of shorter pieces of material.
Actual wood baseboards can split when nailed; MDF and plastic never have this problem.
Also, be sure to check for straight baseboards.
Because MDF is an engineered wood, all pieces should be perfectly straight.
Natural wood may be bowed.
It is better to reject inferior pieces at the store than on the job site.
Quality wood baseboards can last decades when properly maintained.
Since plastic baseboards and trim have no organic content, they do not supply food for insects.
One disadvantage of plastic baseboards and trim is its high cost.
Installed in a small room, like a bathroom, this may not be an issue for many homeowners.
Thecosts add up quicklyfor larger projects.
Hemlock, oak, pine, poplar, and maple are popular solid wood baseboards for staining.
