Out of which material are cupboards made, chipboard or MDF?

Q: Out of which material are cupboards made, chipboard or MDF?

Washtower® cabinets are made from high-grade chipboard with a durable melamine finish. This material was chosen deliberately for its high stability, good screw retention and excellent performance when carrying heavy appliances such as a washing machine and dryer.Chipboard consists of compressed wood chips and fibres that together form a strong structure in which fixings can anchor well. That matters in a construction under constant load from the weight and vibration of a washing machine. MDF consists of far more finely ground wood fibres, close to wood powder. That gives a nicely smooth surface, but offers fewer advantages for our specific structural application.Combined with our distinctive cabinet construction, high-grade chipboard therefore provides a strong, durable and safe solution. The complete construction is also independently TÜV tested for safety and stability.

Customers regularly ask us whether a washing machine cabinet is better made from chipboard or MDF. That is a logical question, because a washing machine cabinet has to carry not only the weight of the appliances but also withstand years of the vibration that arises during the spin cycle.

High-grade board with a melamine coating

Washtower® cabinets are made from high-grade board (chipboard) with a durable melamine finish. While developing our cabinets we investigated extensively which material is most suitable for this application. We looked not only at strength, but also at stability, durability and performance under prolonged load.

Why does Washtower® choose high-grade chipboard?

Chipboard and MDF are both board materials, but they behave differently under the load of a washing machine:

High screw retention: the compressed fibre structure of our chipboard holds screws and joints firmly, even when the cabinet is exposed to vibration for years.
High stability: the material is excellently suited to carrying heavy appliances such as a washing machine and dryer.
Vibration behaviour: our board absorbs the machine’s vibration rather than conducting it through the construction.
A moisture-resistant finish: thanks to the melamine top layer, the surface resists moisture well, is easy to clean and is scratch resistant.
Durable in daily use: the material has been used for years in quality kitchen, bathroom and furniture solutions.
Proven safety: the complete Washtower® construction is independently TÜV tested for safety and stability.

Why not MDF?

MDF is an excellent material for many interior applications, but a washing machine cabinet has different requirements. During the spin cycle a washing machine causes continuous dynamic load and vibration. That is why we chose high-grade chipboard: this material lends itself excellently to a strong, stable and durable construction developed specifically to carry heavy household appliances.

It is also important not to look only at the board material. The safety of a washing machine cabinet is determined by the complete construction. Washtower® is developed specifically for this application, has a distinctive construction with a metal base plate and is independently TÜV tested. That gives you a safe, stable and durable solution for years of use.

Would you like to know more about the properties of our cabinets? Have a look at the range of washing machine cabinets or put your question to our customer service.