exterior MDF

[afish]

Anyone have first hand experience with using exterior rated MDF outside?  I have some doors I need to make for an outdoor kitchen and thinking about trying it.  Im in South Florida so its going to get tested for sure.  I would most likely finish with a 2x urethane and would most likely seal all the machined edges with epoxy first (this is my SOP for regular MDF door and drawer fronts for bathroom vanities) but this is the first true exterior project like this.  Seems like it could work but would like to get some opinions since there is not a lot of info out there good or bad.

 

[peter halle]

No experience with the product you are looking for, but a possible alternative is MDO two sided.  Was used for highway signage for years and still is used for exterior signage.

Just a thought.

Peter

 

[Oldwood]

We have used Extira, it holds up very well. It is a little courser texture but paints well.
https://miratecextira.com/extira-exterior-panels/

 

[afish]

Thanks guys,  Im thinking I will give this a shot.  I found a video on YT video
that gave me some piece of mind even though every bone in my body says no MDF outside.  As far as the MDO goes I have used it (not for outdoor) projects before and while its nice, without some type of substrate to keep it flat I wouldnt trust it for making doors due to warpage. 

 

[Packard]

The last I checked 1/2" MDO is available from Lowes, but not from Home Depot.  By special order only. My local lumber yard does not carry it.

Grimco carries a variety of sign substrates, including MDO, aluminum and plastic.
https://www.grimco.com/Catalog/Category/Substrates

 

[Doug S]

I use Tricoya a bit and have found it to be really good stuff, it's fantastic for things like panels in doors. Only things to consider are you should use stainless steel fixings with it and it's expensive!

Here's a guy making an MDF gate out of it.

 

[leakyroof]

  Late to this post as it was early last month when posted, but count me in with Peter H. .... MDO, it was made for Exterior Usage and holds up well. I did have to have my wood supplier order a 3/4" sheet of it to get some when I need it, but I hear it's more common in certain areas than others, so the usual supply and demand issues might be bit more complicated with all that's going on with the Supply chain events lately.

 

[pixelated]

I used MDO to build a cabinet for my drawer dishwasher. It and the dishwasher have since been retired, but it was unfazed by 10 years of steam and water. I repurposed the cabinet as a base for my job site table saw.
I've built some outdoor projects with it too, water, snow, whatever is no problem for the stuff.

 

[JG]

I use moisture resistant MDF  outside. Much heavier than standard MDF. Holds up very well.
https://buildgp.com/product/ultrastock-mr-mdf/

JG

 

[Getmaverick]

I use Medex in all my painted cabinet doors, panel only. MDF has no place in the Kitchen or Bathroom.