WPC Panels vs. MDF Wooden Wall Panelling: 8 Key Comparisons

Introduction

Ireland has always been a country with a deep connection to nature. From ancient times ‘till now, we’ve cherished our emerald grasses, roving forests, and glassy loughs. But did you know that there’s a new trend sweeping the nation? A trend toward biophilic design. Biophilic (love of the living world) design is all about bringing the outdoors inside.

Of course, we all know that wooden interiors look simply drop dead gorgeous, both in a modern and a more traditional setting; but that’s actually not the only reason biophilic interior design is catching on amongst Irish homeowners.

With more and more of us working from home, the atmosphere we create in our living spaces is more important than ever, and biophilic design has been suggested to have a calming effect on us, as well as to promote our physical and mental health, our cognitive function, and to increase productivity.

Today, we’re looking at two alternative ways to bring the natural splendour and health benefits of real wood into your home, without shelling out a fortune or having to worry about the upkeep.

We’re talking WPC wall panels and Wooden Wall Panelling (MDF wooden wall panels) – let’s take a look!

What is WPC?

WPC stands for “wood plastic composite”. They are created through a fusion process between wood fibres and thermoplastics, making them lightweight and extra durable.

In Ireland, WPC is often used to make outdoor decking, owing to its natural water-resistance, but more and more commonly it can be found in the feature walls and wainscot panelling of Irish interior design projects.

We stock an extensive and diverse range of WPC tongue and groove panelling – sometimes also called PVC cladding – available in different colours, from pale and dark oak, to anthracite and walnut.

What is MDF?

MDF stands for “medium density fibreboard”. MDF is composed of numerous hardwood and softwood fibres, compressed tightly together and sometimes reinforced with wax. MDF has been in use for decades as a sustainable, heavy duty yet affordable alternative to natural wood panels, and can be found in most homes: usually in the form of wardrobes, desks, and other affordable furniture.

In the case of Tile Merchant’s Wooden Wall Panelling (MDF slatted wall panels), the wood fibre structure is further reinforced with a foil wrap, and finished in either matt or gloss. We stock a curated range of MDF wooden wall cladding panels, selected for the designer and DIYer with an eye for contemporary style.

Pros and Cons of WPC Wall Panelling

Helping our customers find the perfect materials and products for their home renovations is what drives us, at Tile Merchant. That’s why we want to walk you through the pros and cons of both WPC wall slats and MDF wall panelling in Ireland – so that you are armed with all the info you need to make an informed decision. First, we’ll start with the pros and cons of wood-plastic composite (WPC) cladding sheets.

Pros

WPC is naturally waterproof, and thus won’t warp or swell with exposure to moisture.
● WPC can last up to 50 years, making investment in this type of wall panel long-term.
● WPC is cost-effective, with prices at Tile Merchant starting at just €50 per m2.
● WPC wall panels are super easy to install.

Cons

● Certain toxic gases can sometimes be released during the manufacturing of WPC wall panelling kits, such as chlorine.
● You can’t paint directly onto WPC slat wall panelling; instead you have to apply a putty to the material first.
● WPC wall panels don’t have the natural texture of real wood

Pros and Cons of MDF Wooden Wall Panelling

Now let’s take a whistle stop tour of the pros and cons associated with WPC panelling’s older brother: Wooden Wall Panelling (MDF wall panels).

Pros

● MDF is tougher and more resilient than WPC, foil-wrapped for added stability and generally more heavyweight owing to its composition.
● MDF is an environmentally-friendly alternative to using real wood in your house.
● MDF boards can be painted without a primary application of putty or any other primer.
● MDF wooden wall panels are super easy to install.
● MDF wooden wall panelling is available from Tile Merchant in an even more diverse range of colours than WPC.
● MDF slatted wall panels are complemented by matching dado rails and end pieces.

Cons

● MDF is not naturally waterproof, and will swell and warp if water gets into the fibreboard. Tile Merchant MDF wall panels are foil-wrapped to counteract this failing.
● MDF wall panels tend to last around 10 years, which is still a long time! Just not quite as long as our WPC cladding.
● MDF is a more expensive option when compared to WPC wall panelling in Ireland.

Comparing MDF Slatted Wall Panels to WPC Wall Panelling: 8 Key Observations

Let’s clear one thing up: whatever you ultimately choose – MDF or WPC – if you shop with Tile Merchant you’re guaranteed top-quality, easy-to-install, supremely attractive wall panels for your home. However, that doesn’t necessarily help you make your decision – for that, let’s take one last comparative look at the two wall panel materials, through the lens of 8 key determiners.

Texture

MDF, being made of real wood fibres, has a more natural textured feel to its surface. On the other hand, WPC, being a plastic composite, is smoother to the touch. Because of this difference, you may find that Wooden Wall Panelling (MDF wooden wall panelling) lends itself ever so slightly more to the traditional, classic wooden aesthetic, whereas WPC is better fitted to a minimalist and modernist approach to Irish interior design.

Durability

MDF is undeniably stronger than WPC, and by a long shot at that. It’s thicker, heavier, and ultimately more robust, meaning that depending on the nature of your project (whether you’re building for a family with dogs and kids, or a single person, for example) you may wish to opt for MDF vertical wall panelling. WPC, by contrast, is less strong, but more durable in the long run: this owing to the fact that it is a plastic composite and thus – unlike MDF – is impervious to mould, warping, and staining.

Waterproof

WPC is naturally waterproof, making it incredibly easy to clean free of spillages, splashes and potential stains. This resistance to water also means it won’t warp or distort over time and exposure to moisture in wet rooms like the kitchen and bathroom. Typically, MDF is not waterproof, and would have to be sealed in order to be used in certain rooms in the house. Tile Merchant Woodlux Wooden Wall Panelling (decorative wall panels), however, are foil-wrapped, and so have already been waterproof-treated.

Maintenance

Both WPC and MDF wall panels are incredibly easy to keep clean and well maintained. Neither needs more than a quick wipe down with a wet cloth and some standard household cleaning spray to be kept in “fresh from the shop” condition. Even better, because wall panels clip together via an innovative tongue-and-groove system, if in the unlikely incident that one panel does get damaged beyond repair, it can be easily replaced without having to touch the rest of the installation.

Insulation

An unsung shining feature of both our MDF and WPC panelling is their insulatory characteristics. Owing both to the nature of the materials, and their distinctive vertical-striped and grooved design, they absorb echoes and unwanted reverberations wherever they’re installed – and no matter how big the space! Moreover, they can provide excellent additional heat insulation, in addition to soundproofing the rooms in your home.

Environment

Both Wooden wall panelling and WPC slat wall panell is more environmentally-friendly than using real wood, since they use less wood per square metre. Having said that, if eco-friendliness is of utmost importance to you, then we do suggest opting for MDF rather than WPC, to avoid introducing more plastics into your home

Installation

It is purposely easy to install both of the wall panelling kits we offer: both MDF and WPC. They are designed with an innovative tongue-and-groove system which allows them to be slotted together to fill whichever space you choose. Both can easily be cut to size and length, and then installed against any interior wall surface with nothing more than some Bostik adhesive.

Price

There’s not a huge difference in price between our WPC and MDF wooden slatted wall panels, but nevertheless if budget is of concern, you’ll want to look at our wood-plastic composite range of panelling. Nevertheless, we’re confident that both MDF and WPC are cost-effective options, especially when you take into account their durability, and the fact that they’ll last you between 10 and 50 years.

3 Slatted Wall Design Ideas to Get You Inspired

The Swedish Sauna Bathroom Effect

Is there anything quite as wholesome and restorative as a half hour spent sweating it out in a Swedish-style steam room? Turn any bathroom – be it tiled, stone, wallpapered or painted – into a relaxing Scandinavian with some warm oak WPC slat panels.

The Dado Rail Staircase

The beauty of Tile Merchant wall panelling is that it can have just as powerful a visual impact when used to cover a whole room as it can when added as a finishing touch. Elevate the staircase(s) in your ome by running a hip-height MDF wall panel and dado rail installation on the wall(s) running up the stairs. Why not try our light safari grey panels for something airy and bright?

The Interior Designer’s Feature Wall

One of the simplest ways to completely transform a room is to add a feature wall. You could even choose to add just one or two standalone panels as statement pieces, giving the eye something extra to enjoy in the room, whilst adding a little texture, sound absorption, and subtle style. I personally think our Anthracite WPC panelling could be perfect for the job!

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Wood Wall Panelling for Your Home

So, which is the best wood wall panelling for your home? Ultimately, the choice depends on a number of factors, including budget, space, style and colour – but whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’d like to test the quality of our products for yourself, then make sure to order yourself free samples of both our WPC and MDF wooden wall panelling – we deliver them, for free, to any address in Ireland.

And if you think you’re ready to pick the perfect wood slat panelling for your next home improvement project, then get stuck in! Shop our ranges of Woodlux Wooden Wall Panelling and WPC slat walls today!

Why Tile Merchant?

We offer extremely competitive pricing on our entire range of tiles and likewise. We stock a huge range of wall and floor tiles and our prices are competitive for retail and trade. Our stock is widely available in our tile stores in Dublin and Ashbourne (Co. Meath) which are open 7 days a week.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to shop our tiles online, we can supply you with samples delivered for free.

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