Wall decoration consists of several stages. Installation of MDF on walls will require preliminary selection necessary materials. The technology for installing MDF panels on walls is quite simple., if you follow the tips and recommendations. Everyone can arrange a room.
Every person wants to have stylish and comfortable housing to emphasize their individuality and create a unique atmosphere.
Description of MDF wall panels
Installation mdf boards Wall painting can be done correctly, quickly and cheaply, without putty, primer, painting or wallpapering. Minimum construction waste, stylish and practical.
Wall panels have been known for more than 10 years on the Russian market. During this period, their popularity has not subsided.
The advantages of using MDF panels are:
- wide selection of sizes and textures, glossy and matte;
- low cost;
- excellent quality;
- environmental friendliness of the materials from which the panels are made;
- optimally suitable sizes;
- ease of adaptation for premises of any configuration;
- Possibility of attachment to wooden and metal sheathing;
- indicators of mechanical, thermal and ultraviolet resistance;
- long service life without loss of its original appearance;
- resistance to tobacco smoke;
- ease of cleaning and washing;
- ease of installation if you need to mount MDF panels on the wall. You can repair a room in half a day, without dust, dirt, preliminary work and a large number of special tools.
This building material Suitable for both dry and wet areas. Even when exposed to moisture, MDF furniture will not become covered with mold or mildew. Mounting it in wood will also be an advantageous way to decorate the surface.
There is a wide variety of MDF panel designs:
- matte;
- glossy;
Large format ceramic slab effect
Some tile panels small size. I alternate tiles, different in texture and color, so you can lay out different patterns of any level of complexity.
Visually this will achieve the effect ceramic tiles large format.
Thanks to the panels with dimensions of 120 by 80 cm, it is possible to cover the panels faster. By studying the recommendations, you can give the modules an excellent appearance.
The difference between wall panels is noted by such indicators as:
- dimensions;
- texture;
- thickness;
- color;
- fastening principles.
At correct execution works can be created perfect interior. Interior decoration walls with natural materials are now in trend. However natural materials quite expensive, and working with them is labor-intensive. Therefore, synthetic materials are widely used.
Due to their high quality, they are difficult to distinguish from natural analogues. MDF panels repeat the texture natural wood, create the appearance of a wooden covering.
At the same time, they are easy to wash and clean. And the installation process is characterized by simplicity and speed of work. Panels need to be cut required length and secure them to the frame.
MDF is resistant to moisture. about moisture-resistant MDF for walls. There are special corners to match the color of the panels; they can change shape. With them you can build a platband, internal or external corners. This kind of material used to give the interior a finished look. You can learn how to install MDF panels on walls from the recommendations.
If the installation is carried out in winter time, you first need to keep the wall panels indoors for several days so that they regain their size. When choosing panels, keep in mind that the narrower they are, the longer the work will take, but there will be less scrapping.
It is necessary to determine how much smooth walls. If the level shows good data, then there is no need to make wooden sheathing.
You can simply glue them to the cement using special glue. If the walls are not level, you will need to do lathing.
This situation is more common. What materials will be needed for it? The sheathing is made of wood soft rocks. Preliminarily think about what kind of sheathing will be. In dry rooms it is better to use wood, and in wet rooms - metallic profile. It is necessary to select fasteners based on the same parameters.
Self-tapping screws - if a metal profile is used, fasteners made from wood screws or staples, if you need to work on a wooden sheathing. In the space of walls and sheathings you can lay a layer of heat or sound insulation.
How to attach the MDF panel to the wall:
- with lathing;
- without sheathing.
How to attach and install - installation
We mount the sheathing to the surface of the batten
You need to start work from the corner. Laying must be done tightly. The thin part faces towards the corner. The fastening is carried out on the surface of the rail.
You can successfully install MDF panels on the wall with your own hands if you prepare slats with a cross-section of 20 by 40 mm. They will need to be secured using self-tapping screws and a screwdriver.
The location of the slats must be perpendicular to the direction of the panels that will be mounted. In order to mount the sheathing elements, we adhere to an interval of 40 - 50 cm.
Using the mounting level, we constantly check the evenness of the installed slats. If the wall surface turns out to be uneven, it is necessary to level the sheathing using such building materials, How:
- plywood;
- beam;
- assembly adhesive.
To secure the surface, long self-tapping screws or dowels - nails are used. This will depend on what materials the walls are made of. Also constantly monitor this process by measuring the evenness of the surface using a level.
The bottom of the slatted sheathing should be located taking into account a distance of 3 - 5 cm from the floor. This will allow you to successfully secure the floor plinth in the future.
At the top, the sheathing is mounted at ceiling level.
- the sheathing is attached in different positions:
- in the corners;
- along the window opening.
If work is carried out where increased level humidity, it is advisable to install elements plastic sheathing or made of metal. You can watch a video on how to install MDF panels on a wall surface. If you use the “groove-to-groove” fastening method, over time you can easily disassemble the structure.
Installation and installation technology of the first panel
For execution installation work By MDF installation panels on the walls must be started from the corner:
- attach the first panel;
- We check the level;
- We fix the panel with self-tapping screws to the slats along the entire height.
A thematic video from the Internet will tell you how to attach MDF to the wall.
How to attach to the sheathing
In order to fasten MDF panels to the wall sheathing, clamps are used - special type staples.
The clamps are pushed into the cavity of the panel groove and secured using a construction stapler.
It is best to use nails. Constant care must be taken not to damage the edges of the panel.
To avoid this, use pliers. We install the remaining panels. The ridge of the panel that will be next in the row is inserted into the grooves of the panel that is already installed.
A video about installing MDF panels on a wall can be viewed before starting work. Next you need to attach it to the sheathing and carry out the same work in the required quantity.
The last panel next to the wall may not be the right size. If necessary, you can cut MDF panels with a jigsaw or wood saw.
Cutting it out will not be difficult, the main thing is to correctly measure the part that will be cut. This way they will be the right length. By following the instructions in the instructions on how to attach MDF to a wall, you can do such work yourself. We install the fittings.
In order for the MDF wall mount interior to look like a finished product, it is necessary to install MDF fittings. You can close the joints using a folding corner.
Apply glue to the surface inside and press firmly onto the corner panels. After execution finishing works With the use of MDF panels, the appearance of the walls will be significantly transformed.
How to secure without wooden guides
You can attach mdfc panels to the wall without lathing. Wherein bottom part the panels must be sandwiched between the wall and the plywood. Top part must be inserted into the start profile. It is screwed to the top panel.
To be able to further secure the structure, you need to make another hole in the middle to secure the panel. Fastening MDF panels to a wall without slats is done using wooden choppers and self-tapping screws with caps.
The panel will fit perfectly tightly to the wall, and you will be able to save at least 4 cm of space if you install the MDF panel on walls without lathing.
For additional fixation of the panel to the wall, a professional polyurethane foam. The foam will not be destroyed under the panel, since it does not get there. sun rays. Spray the top and bottom of the surfaces with foam. The fastening of MDF boards to the wall must be reliable.
The panel is glued, and one additional screw is added in the middle. about how to glue MDF to the wall. This will be quite enough. The strength and durability of the entire structure depends on how you can attach the MDF to the wall.
For more information about installing MDF panels on walls, watch the video:
How to attach a plinth - installation methods
MDF plinth can be attached to the wall in several ways:
- on self-tapping screws;
It is necessary to select the baseboard to match the tone of the main coating. Step-by-step instruction will look like this:
- mark the place of cutting;
- make a cut;
- apply glue;
- press against the wall with force;
- install the corner element.
Most often, the baseboard in an apartment matches the platband, this gives the structure an unesthetic appearance. To prevent sharp corners from spoiling the appearance of the baseboard, you need to file the corners by turning them inward.
Do-it-yourself MDF mounting on walls in the kitchen
Can be installed attractively with wall mount. Panels with photo printing are perfect.
Compared to aprons made from other materials, it can be installed directly in the kitchen, adjusting all technological dimensions during the installation process.
The panel needs to be marked and, if necessary, holes cut for electrical outlets. On a flat surface panel MDF is glued using liquid nails.
Gives the room beautiful view. Installation of the apron and additional elements is carried out quickly and with minimal construction waste.
conclusions
Practical and environmentally friendly MDF panels are widely in demand in modern construction. They are made by pressing wood dust in a vacuum. In this case, the color of natural wood of various shades is achieved.
If you learn in detail how to mount MDF panels on a wall, You can radically change the appearance of any room in the house. Installation of MDF panels on walls, the price of which will depend on the quality of the selected materials and volumes necessary work, more profitable than working with natural materials.
You can learn how to install MDF panels on the wall from the video. This material is so easy to use that work can be done quickly and efficiently.
MDF panels are widely popular in the field of interior design. Consumer interest in this finishing material is explained by its low cost, excellent decorative qualities and environmental friendliness. Another important advantage is that wall cladding with MDF panels does not require any special construction knowledge and skills, therefore, it is possible to save on services professional craftsmen. All work can be easily done with your own hands, you just need to show basic care and prepare necessary set tools.
Purchase of finishing materials and additional elements
Before purchasing panels, it is necessary to take measurements of the room that will be finished. When selecting material, you should focus not only on the squaring of the surfaces, but also on the dimensions of the panels themselves, taking into account possible waste. Also count the number of external and internal corners indoors to purchase special finishing corners that match the color of the selected panels.
The finishing corners are thin MDF strips pressed with protective and decorative film. Folding lengthwise, they form an internal or outside corner any radius. Finishing with applied laminated corners allows you to hide corner connections panels and give a finished look to the room.
In addition to finishing materials, it is also necessary to acquire wooden slats or special metal profiles for installing the sheathing. The choice of these materials will depend on the layout of the room itself.
Sheathing internal partition walls carried out without additional insulation, so they are quite suitable for lathing wooden blocks 50x40 mm. If you plan to finish external walls, then it is more advisable to purchase metal CD and UD profiles or 40x40 timber, which will create space for the placement of heat-insulating material in the gap between the wall and the panels. If profiles are used, special U-shaped brackets will also be needed.
The number of elements for the sheathing is calculated based on the fact that the distance between them should be on average 0.4-0.5 m. In addition, you need to stock up on self-tapping screws of the appropriate length for installing the sheathing, as well as self-tapping screws, clamps or staples (if the sheathing is wooden) for fastening panel strips. You will also need socket boxes ( mounting boxes for drywall), if there is a need to install a switch or socket, and glue for decorative corners (for example, liquid nails).
However, all these additional elements may not be needed if interior walls have a perfectly flat surface and are not expected to dismantle the panels after a short period of time. In this case, their installation can be done in a simple way gluing. Liquid mounting nails are perfect for this purpose.
A set of tools for covering walls with MDF panels with your own hands
- screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver (for self-tapping screws);
- perforator (for making holes in concrete walls) or drill (for plaster, wood, brick and other walls);
- bench square (for precise marking of corners);
- sawing tool for MDF panels and slats: jigsaw (with a fine wood file), hand-held circular saw or regular saw hand saw with fine teeth (you can use a hacksaw);
- grinder or metal scissors (for cutting metal profiles);
- any type of building level or homemade plumb line for proper vertical installation of panels;
- furniture stapler (if necessary).
Installation technology
MDF panels are rigid strips of a certain thickness, width and length, having locking connections. It is impossible to make radius bends using this material. They can only cover flat surfaces (walls, ceilings, slopes).
If you install the panels yourself on the lathing, no special preparation of the walls is required, i.e. there is no need to clean them of old paint, plaster or wallpaper.
Manufacturing of sheathing
Initially, it is necessary to determine the so-called control point. To do this, you need to examine the wall for protruding areas. The most protruding place will play the role of a starting point, focusing on which, the sheathing elements are fixed to the level.
Depending on the design idea, panel strips can be positioned vertically, horizontally or diagonally, and the installation of slats or profiles is carried out in a direction perpendicular to the panels.
The slats or beams are attached in increments of 40-50 cm. It is not recommended to increase the distance between them, because the structure will lose rigidity and may bend. If there are differences in height on the surface, use pads of the required thickness to level out the depressions.
Done Right metal carcass The technology for arranging lathing from profiles is somewhat different from the “wooden” version. In this case, a frame of UD profiles is initially installed along the perimeter of each wall. The distance from the wall surface should correspond to the thickness of the insulation. Then the locations of the transverse CD profiles are marked. U-shaped brackets are attached along the marking line with a pitch of approximately 40 cm. CD profiles are inserted into the starting UD profiles, after which they are fixed with brackets using metal screws.
Paneling
If the project provided for thermal insulation of the wall, then immediately between the sheathing elements, strips of insulation are laid and secured. Along the way, electrical cables are laid inside the structure and taken out beyond the sheathing, so that after installing the panels, their length allows for connecting sockets or switches.
Installation of panels starts from the corner and continues along the surface of the wall. Each previous strip is carefully attached to the sheathing pieces through the tongue groove, after which the next panel is inserted into the lock. If the last strip does not fit entirely in width, it will have to be cut. Fastening is done along the edge, so that later the fastening elements can hide the decorative corner.
In the places where sockets and switches will be located, holes are made during the work using special nozzle on the drill into which the wires are routed.
Several methods are used to attach panels to the sheathing:
Finishing a room with MDF panels using the adhesive method is carried out by dotted or zigzag application of special glue over the entire area of the strip. Before gluing the panels, the walls must be treated with a deep-penetrating primer and allowed to dry. A few seconds after applying the glue, the strip is carefully pressed and fixed to the wall.
All the technologies described above are also applicable for the construction of slopes. If the slopes are small, then it will be enough to build a sheathing frame around the perimeter, without transverse elements.
At the last stage, the outer and inner corners of the room are finished with finishing decorative corners, which are fixed with glue. Corners can also be placed around the perimeter of the ceiling instead of a ceiling frieze.
At the locations of electrical points, special boxes are installed and sockets or switches are installed.
Covering walls with MDF panels is an affordable and simple way to decorate residential premises.
The finishing material has a decent attractive appearance, has excellent heat and sound insulation properties, and installing MDF panels with your own hands is not very difficult.
Interior decoration of walls with MDF panels is carried out in two main methods: on the lathing and directly on the wall surface. Preference for one or another finishing option is based on the condition of the walls in the room and its operating conditions.
Frame method
The essence of the method is to attach finishing MDF boards to a pre-constructed sheathing. It is used in several cases:
- the wall surface is uneven and there is no way to eliminate the defect;
- the room needs heat or sound insulation;
- there is a need to hide engineering Communication– wiring, for example, located on walls.
Finishing materials
Using the frame method, it is possible to install MDF panels on a wall of any form factor - slatted lamellas, wall panels and decorative sheets. The appearance of the slab, the thickness of the panel, and the quality are determined not by the installation method, but by the functionality of the room.
- Form factor.
The most commonly used material is rack material, since, thanks to the tongue-and-groove joint, its installation is simple and does not take much time.
Sheathing with tile and sheet panels is more difficult, as it involves the need to adhere to a certain pattern.
- Thickness.
The slabs are produced with a thickness of 6 mm for slats, and from 3 mm for sheet products. For finishing the walls of rooms with severe operating conditions, it is recommended to choose MDF panels of maximum thickness.
- Moisture resistance.
Moisture-resistant MDF panels are used for finishing bathrooms, toilets and kitchens.
Tools and Supplies
- MDF boards - slatted, panel, sheet.
- Universal corner made of fiberboard - used when decorating corners.
- – if thermal insulation work is being carried out.
- Hammer, jigsaw, knife.
- Square and usually nylon thread.
- "Liquid nails" or other wood glue.
- Wood screws - from 40 to 80 mm, plastic dowels or plugs - for attaching the sheathing.
- Nails, clamps with a tongue of the required height, glue - depending on the chosen method of installing the panel.
Preparatory stage
- Since the process of installing MDF panels on a metal frame or wooden sheathing is not carried out, its preparation comes down to cleaning it from dust and dirt. However, if there are large cracks on the wall, they should be repaired.
- The wiring is retracted into corrugated pipes.
- If there is a general high level of humidity in the apartment, it is recommended to treat the surface with an antiseptic primer.
The coefficient of thermal expansion of MDF products is low, but moisture resistance is low, so the material should be kept indoors for 2-3 days in order to equalize the humidity of the board and the air.
With a small sheet thickness - 3-6 mm, this stage can be neglected; with a large sheet - 16-20 mm, exposure is necessary.
Manufacturing and installation of sheathing
The frame is made from wooden blocks with a cross-section of 20×40 mm, or a galvanized profile. Both solutions have their advantages
Wooden sheathing is much easier to install and does not require large quantity hardware, and is characterized by the ability to absorb and release moisture at a level close to MDF boards.
In this case, the material requires additional processing antiseptics and does not exclude the possibility of destruction under the influence of moisture.
The metal frame is highly durable and resistant to moisture.
Installation of MDF panels on a metal profile provides rigid fastening, which prevents the panels from elongating. In rooms with noticeable changes in temperature and humidity, for example on a loggia, this leads to warping of the finish.
Since, with the exception of special moisture-resistant ones, they are also not resistant to moisture, you should not build a frame more durable than the sheathing itself.
Installation of lathing for MDF panels: detailed instructions
Slat slats can be positioned horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Square panels can be formed into a pattern. In any case, the installation directions of the sheathing strip and the MDF panel must be perpendicular to each other.
The diagonal method of laying panels is more material-intensive.
Vertical installation of finishing is most often used, as it ensures a minimum of waste.
- The most convex place on the wall surface is determined - its height is the control point.
The frame rail must pass through the top of the convexity.
- The recommended pitch is 40–60 cm. If the sheet size is large, the pitch can be increased.
The possibility of increasing is checked as follows: if the panel bends slightly when pressed by hand between the slats, then the change is permissible.
- The wall is marked with a pencil.
In this case, it is advisable to place the bottom strip as close to the floor as possible: the baseboard is attached to it. 
- The first to install the rail is the most convex place.
The block is placed on the marked line, and a hole is drilled in the wall through the plank using a hammer drill. The depth of the hole is calculated so that the self-tapping screw is at least 30–40 mm deep into the main wall. The fastening pitch is at least 60 cm.
- First of all, the rail is fixed at the top of the convexity - close to the wall, and then at the opposite end, previously leveled.
- To check the plane of the block, a thread is pulled from one end to the other end of the wall and fixed on self-tapping screws at a level; a match is placed between the head and the thread.
Correction of the rack fastening is carried out using wedges, the thickness of which is determined by the deviation of the fastening depth compared to the control point.
- Blanks for wedges are cut from a lath and trimmed with a knife as work progresses.
It is allowed to use pieces of plywood.
- The second rail, usually lower, is installed in the same way: the ends are fixed level, and the rest of the fastening is adjusted along the thread.
- The following frame elements are mounted as follows: the rule is applied to the fixed slats, and the next bar is aligned in the plane with the first two.
It is prohibited to attach any objects to the MDF panel. However, it is quite possible to hang a mirror in the hallway if the installation of MDF wall panels is carried out on a frame.
Wall cladding with MDF panels
Sheathing begins after constructing the frame.
Mounting methods:
- Glue it.
The adhesive composition is applied to the panel in the areas of fixation to the sheathing. Suitable for thin slabs;
- Mechanical fastening with staples, nails or screws.
Provides reliable fixation, but does not compensate for thermal expansion. The method is recommended for rooms with stable temperature and humidity;
- Fastening with clamps.
The clip is placed on the edge of the panel and secured to the sheathing with nails. This is the most recommended option.
Installation sequence
- Slat slats and universal corners are cut to length using a jigsaw or hacksaw. The edges are sanded.
- Installation can be started from any corner of the room.
- The first lamella is fixed in such a way that the edge with the ridge is directed towards the corner, and the gap between the wall and the sheathing board is 2-3 mm.
On the ridge side, the lamella is fixed with self-tapping screws to the slats, and on the groove side, a clamp is put on the edge and secured. When joining, the fastener is hidden by the ridge of the next element.
The next panels are inserted with a comb into the groove of the previous one and secured with clamps.
- The last panel usually needs adjustment.
The slab is tried on, the required width is determined, and the excess fragment is cut off. Then the element is inserted and also secured in the corner with self-tapping screws.
- The corners and top edge are finished with a universal corner.
Design of sockets and switches
When decorating walls with MDF panels in such areas, you must:
- try on the panel and mark the location of the outlet;
- cut a hole of the appropriate diameter;
- fasten two parallel blocks to the wall so that the future socket can be installed on them;
- fix the MDF board to the sheathing.
Frameless method: do-it-yourself cladding
The method is implemented when the walls of the room have a flat surface, or if one of the tasks of the repair is their careful alignment. Any MDF products can be used, but more often this method
Preparation
Before proceeding with the installation of MDF panels with glue, the surface is cleaned and primed. Most often, a primer with an antiseptic effect is used.
The slatted lamellas are cut to the required height, the corner is also cut off, the edges are processed sandpaper. Square panels are adjusted after fitting.
Adhesives used
The adhesive composition must satisfy two requirements:
- After drying, maintain some plasticity to absorb the thermal expansion of the material.
- Have a dense structure, which would allow the glue to be applied in both a thin and thick layer. This property makes it possible to properly attach the panel even in cases where the wall surface is curved.
Most often, “Liquid nails” and “Moment installation” are used, but there may be other options - “MitreFix”, “Moment Crystal”.
Installation of cladding: sequence of actions
- It is recommended to start covering from the corner towards the window opening.
- Horizontal and vertical markings are made on the wall according to the size of the panels.
- Glue is applied to the back of the slab in zigzag strips.
- The panel easily presses against the wall and is immediately removed.
After 2–5 minutes it is fixed tightly. This way a stronger connection is achieved. The first lamella must be checked with a vertical level.
- The slabs are laid end-to-end or overlapping.
- In areas where it is planned to install sockets and switches, holes are pre-made in the panel.
- The corners and upper edge are sealed with a universal corner, the lower edge with a plinth.
Finishing nuances: processing joints and corners
A universal corner is used for finishing corners. It consists of two plates made of chipboard and connected on the front side with a film.
The strips can bend both inward and outward, which allows the element to be used to decorate any corners.
- The corner is cut to the required length. Docking, if the top edge is being decorated, is done at an angle of 45 degrees.
- It is recommended to apply glue to the glue in two stages: light pressing so that the composition is distributed both over the cladding and on the surface of the corner, and then firmly with pressure.
- Remains of glue, if they do appear, are cut off with a painting knife after complete hardening. They are difficult to remove with cleaning agent or solvent.
Joints are finished in exactly the same way, if such a need arises. However, in this case it is necessary to carefully select the element by color.
Finishing MDF boards does not apply to work high level complexity and requires not so much experience as careful execution.
From an aesthetic point of view, it is not recommended to decorate both the ceiling and the walls of the room with slabs at the same time. Styles that involve such a solution are not implemented in city apartments. But for a balcony or loggia this is a completely acceptable option.
MDF is one of the most popular finishing materials today. In many respects, this is due to its comparative low cost, but for many consumers, the installation process looks much more important. If you can install the finish yourself, this is already a huge plus.
That is why, in this article, we decided to talk about how to attach MDF panels to the wall, and even if you are one hundred percent confident in your abilities, we strongly recommend that you read this material to the end and watch the videos posted in this article.
Preparatory work
Any repair, including attaching MDF panels to the wall, begins with careful and thoughtful preparation. You need to take into account a lot of nuances, and first of all, calculate the amount of materials needed. Fortunately, today it is much easier to do this than 10 years ago; you just need to use a calculator on one of the construction sites on the Internet.
Important! Calculating materials using an online calculator may have an error, which can be compensated for by simply adding 10 percent to the result. This way, you will not only accurately guess with required quantity, but also leave a reserve in case of defects during the installation process.
It is not difficult to calculate the number of panels yourself, but only if the room in which the renovation is planned has straight walls, without communications and architectural delights. So, everything has been purchased and delivered, in principle you can start working, but there is one small trick - before attaching the MDF panels to the wall, they need to lie down room temperature at least 24 hours open form, that is, removed from the packaging.
This is necessary for the material to gain moisture and produce all the deformations that inevitably occur when changing temperature regime. In the meantime, our panels are getting used to the new room, it’s time to prepare the tool. It is very important that everything you need is at hand; often it takes much more time to find a hammer or nail than to do the repair itself.
To simplify your task with preparing the tool, we present full list what may be needed during the installation process.
Set of tools
So:
- Tape measure and pencil for marks. This one important tool should always be in your arsenal home handyman, and moreover, be at hand. During the entire repair, you will have to use them more than once, so it is better if they are always in your pocket.
- A hacksaw for wood, but with a fine tooth. If possible, this tool can be replaced with a jigsaw, but if your repair is not planned in a huge room, then it is simply pointless to buy it. MDF panels and sheathing material are easy to cut by hand, and it does not require special physical strength.
- Building level. A simple tool that no repair can be done without. In the arsenal of professional builders there are high-tech laser levels, but you don’t see it often in the everyday life of a home craftsman. The fact is that the price of this tool can reach 10 thousand rubles or more, so buying it for one repair is simply not profitable.
- The neighbors' threat is the hammer drill. A very loud tool, but without it you are unlikely to be able to drill holes in a stone wall. You will also need a drill for the hammer drill, and it is better if it has a diamond tip.
- Construction stapler. If you are still unfamiliar with this tool, now is the time to get acquainted. In many situations, it can replace a hammer and nails, and working with it is much easier and more convenient. You simply apply the gun to the mounting location and press the handle, and the metal bracket itself penetrates the base and fastens the materials.
- Hammer. They say that any repair can be done with just a hammer and a strong word. Whether this is true or not, we will not say, but it is a fact that fastening MDF panels to the wall cannot be done without it.
So, the entire tool is prepared, and you can rest a little before the next stage, but for now we suggest you watch how to attach MDF panels to a wall video, so that you understand from the very beginning what to expect in the future.
Preparing the base
Our panels are still getting used to their new location, and now is the time for us to start preparing the walls.
Instructions for attaching panels include two options:
- Attach the panels directly to the wall. Let’s say right away that this option is not suitable for us, and most often it is offered to their uninformed clients by careless and extremely lazy workers. Over time, such a finish will begin to collect moisture, and for MDF this is certain death, and sooner or later, you will understand that the repair needs to be completely redone.
- On the prepared sheathing. This is the only way to protect the panels from moisture. MDF is mounted at a distance from the wall, so this finish lasts much longer. Next we will describe exactly this option, and if at some point the workers try to convince you that the lathing is not important, just look for other performers, these are clearly trying to deceive you.
Preparing the walls begins with removing the old finish, and the more thoroughly it is removed, the better the base will be. There is no need to expose the wall right down to the brick; just remove the old paint or wallpaper (see How to remove wallpaper from walls correctly and without pain).
This is very easy to do with the help of a plaster spatula, and if in some places the paint stubbornly refuses to leave its place, just leave it there, which means it has become familiar with your walls and will not interfere with new repairs.
The next stage is priming. It is necessary in order to protect the walls, and subsequently the entire finish, from the appearance of mold, which inevitably forms due to the constant accumulation of condensation. Primers and impregnations penetrate deeply, in this case they work as antiseptics, that is, they do not allow fungus and mold to spread.
Beautiful and smooth walls are the key to an effective renovation. In modern decoration there are a great variety of types and methods of finishing. And MDF panels are one of them. When choosing finishing material for decorating walls, the question of cost-effectiveness, ease of installation and ease of operation always arises.
Along with paints, plastic, wallpaper and other materials, cladding MDF walls the panels are also worthy of attention. I will talk about this relatively new finishing method in this article.
Probably many of you have encountered the fact that when updating the interior of an apartment, you really don’t want to bother with the long preparation of the walls, cleaning up a large amount of construction waste, and especially spending a lot of money on repairs. When there is no opportunity or desire to bother with painting or wallpapering, you can get by with wall coverings. This method allows you to level and decorate the surface in one fell swoop.
The wall is beautifully covered with many different materials. And this is not only drywall or plastic, but also MDF panels. Working with them is excellent in terms of speed and relative ease of installation. They look much richer than plastic ones, are more convenient in size and are just as easy to use in the future.
MDF panel is a board of pressed wood fibers impregnated with binding materials. Such a plate may not be covered with anything on top, or it may be covered with a layer of special film and a thin layer of plastic. This is a very environmentally friendly material that has all the properties necessary for creating structures. The panel can be washed, it is quite durable and safe.
Regarding color and appearance, then I want to say that today manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of colors that imitate different kinds wood, as well as bright and pastel monochrome options. So covering walls with MDF panels can easily cope with any problem. design solutions. The size and shape of the panel can also be different.
These can be square slabs from 300 x 300 mm to 980 x 980 mm. There are slatted panels up to 300 mm wide and 3 m long. Such panels are very similar to lining and look good on the wall and ceiling. If you need to sew up immediately large area or use custom size, then sheets measuring mainly 1220×2440 mm will help out.
All options are generally up to 25 mm in thickness. This helps a lot to solve the problem with sound insulation. Therefore, MDF is definitely worth paying attention to when choosing materials for cladding.
The only disadvantage of this material is its relatively low moisture resistance. Therefore, they are suitable for finishing not all rooms. A chipboard panel is used only in dry rooms, such as a hallway, and a fiberboard panel is used in rooms with moderate humidity, such as a kitchen.
Sheathing - instructions step by step
How to cover walls MDF panels, I'll tell you in detail. The process of installing wall panels is quite simple and does not involve complex wall preparation. They can be attached to a prepared frame, at the same time leveling the wall, or you can use glue when the wall does not require additional transformations.
In any case, no matter what method you choose, you need to take into account several nuances. Before starting work, the panel must undergo some acclimatization. To do this, it is enough to hold it in the room being repaired so that a balance of temperature and humidity is established between the panel itself and the air. MDF is returning to normal and some expansion is taking place.
Before installation, the wall, as already mentioned, does not require special preparation. It is enough to clean areas with obvious waste old paint or plaster to get rid of cracks.
When installing panels, you must remember their physical properties and leave small gaps at the bottom and top. A few millimeters are enough. This is necessary to take into account their normal expansion with changes in temperature and humidity in the room. Otherwise, over time the panel may warp or warp.
On the frame
When choosing frame installation, you will need profiles or wooden slats. When choosing fastening materials, you should pay attention to the complexity of the wall itself. You may need to navigate around many corners or ledges.
In this case, it is better to use mounting profiles (various additional elements), since their wide variety will allow you to do the work as accurately as possible, especially in the case of corners. However, if for some reason you decide to do without additional elements, this is also not a problem. All joints and corners can then be closed using a universal corner.
This applies not only to the frame, but also to the adhesive installation method. So, you need to install two skirting profiles (also called moldings) running perpendicular to the facing slab. This means that if the panel is mounted vertically, then the profiles are placed horizontally (near the floor and ceiling).
When the MDF boards are directed horizontally, the profiles are installed in a vertical position at the corners of the wall. In case of fastening sheet panels large area, this issue is not so important. After installing the first profile, use a plumb line or building level to determine the position of the second extreme profile. Next, using the same plumb line or level, secure several more intermediate profiles at a distance of approximately 500-600 mm.
If sudden changes in the surface do not allow you to attach the profile to a level, then you can place it under it various materials. These can be wooden slats, fiberboard, plywood.
Intermediate profiles are necessary to ensure that the future panel does not bend under hand pressure. Therefore, adjust their number based on the area and evenness of the surface to be sewn and the thickness of the panel itself. The panel is pre-cut to size, taking into account the required gaps. If the cladding is done using slatted panels having a groove and a tail, then a J-profile is usually used as a molding, into which the first panel is inserted.
The tail is trimmed and inserted into the profile on three sides - one side and two ends. The side with the groove remains free. It must be attached to the sheathing or directly to the wall. The next panel is driven into the groove with its tail, and the side with the groove is also screwed to the sheathing. This is how all the panels are assembled.
The latter is trimmed around the edges by about 5 mm and first driven into the second molding. After stopping, it is enough to move it slightly in the opposite direction until it fits into the previous groove. When using other types of panels, they are attached joint to joint.
It is very important to trim the edges evenly so that the joints are even. It is better to trim thick panels using a hacksaw or jigsaw. The panels can be fastened to the sheathing with ordinary self-tapping screws or using special clips and clamps.
The latter option is especially progressive and convenient, since in this case the panel does not have holes and is simply fastened to the sheathing. Also, this method does not interfere with the elongation of the panel under the influence of moisture and temperature, and, if necessary, can be easily dismantled. At this point the paneling is finished and your wall looks even, smooth and beautiful.
On glue
The adhesive method of fastening allows you to do without installing the sheathing. The preparation of the wall remains the same. Even if the wall was painted oil paint, it is not necessary to delete it. Modern adhesive mixtures penetrate quite deeply and allow you to do without this process.
The panels can also be glued to the sheathing. This option is relevant when the wall is very uneven and additional slats have to be installed to reach the required level. MDF glue is applied over the entire surface of the panel in the form of zigzag stripes.