MDF in the bathroom?

[OscarG]

I have a little bit of space either side of a vanity unit in my bathroom. I was thinking of making a free standing small (10" wide) shelving unit to go either side of the cabinet to give myself some much needed storage.

Would MDF be an ok material, I was planning to paint it but would it still swell/get ruined by high moisture environment like a bathroom?

 

[stuartpaul]

Oscar,

I've made a number of items out of mdf for bathroom use (painted of course) and never had any movement issues.

 

[Setch]

Exposed to the higher humidity of a bathroom, MR MDF will be fine.

Exposed to the potential splashes etc. Adjacent to a sink, I'd be less certain, it depends how conscientious the users of said bathroom are about not leaving water standing on the surface.

 

[OscarG]

Cheers guys!

Ah we're definitely (we'll certainly me) splashers!

Maybe I better get the MR stuff or put a waterproof top on it.

That melamine faced MDF any good?

 

[doctor Bob]

use exterior MDF and it will be better against water sitting on it.

 

[OscarG]

Cheers Bob, is exterior MDF and moisture resistant MDF the same stuff? Thought I'd check as it looks like I can easily get that green moisture resitant stuff from Wickes.

In your firm's bathrooms I suppose you'd have a stone finish on top of any cabinet near a sink?

 

[doctor Bob]

Cheers Bob, is exterior MDF and moisture resistant MDF the same stuff? Thought I'd check as it looks like I can easily get that green moisture resitant stuff from Wickes.

In your firm's bathrooms I suppose you'd have a stone finish on top of any cabinet near a sink?

No exterior grade and MR grade are different. As a worktop I'd use exterior if the client wanted a MDF top.