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DIY wall decoration with MDF panels. How to properly cover walls with MDF panels MDF wall panels how to install them

Today the simplest and in a fast way To make the walls of your home beautiful and smooth, decorate them with MDF panels. This solution is, of course, not suitable for all rooms, but for corridors, stairwells, storage rooms and hallways, this material will be almost ideal. We will talk about it in this article, in which, together with the website, we will look at how to install MDF panels using frame and frameless methods with your own hands.

There are two ways to fix MDF panels on the walls - the so-called adhesive and frame. Both of these methods are good and are used depending on the circumstances. If finishing walls with MDF panels involves hiding any communications, then frame method MDF fastenings. When it comes to finishing smooth walls, then the glue method is used.

Wall decoration with MDF panels photo

Installation of MDF panels: frame installation method

The very name of this method speaks for itself - to implement it you will need to build a frame, which in some way resembles the structure that is used for. The difference lies only in the position of the load-bearing ones - if they are installed vertically to fasten plasterboard sheets, then MDF provides horizontal arrangement profiles. In this regard, the peculiarities of constructing such a frame arise.

In principle, at the first stage everything happens in a similar way - the plane of the future frame is hammered out, then guide profiles are attached along the perimeter of the wall, on the floor, ceiling and adjacent walls. This is where the differences begin. In a given plane, vertical load-bearing profiles cd are installed not after 600 mm, but after 3000 mm, which is standard length bearing profile.

Installation of MDF panels: frame method

This is done in order to subsequently install horizontal load-bearing profiles cd between them, the pitch of which is 500 mm. They are connected to vertical profiles using crab CD connectors, and fixed to the wall with the same U-shaped brackets.

Installation of the frame is the main work in the process MDF installations panels. The fastening itself is an easier process that almost anyone can handle. MDF panels are attached to the frame using clamps (special clamps). Before fastening it to the frame, the clamp itself is inserted into a groove located at the end of the panel, thus ensuring their reliable fixation to the frame. The clamps are designed so that they do not interfere with inserting the next panel into the groove.

DIY installation of MDF panels photo

Installing panels with glue yourself: installation features

MDF installation Installing panels on walls using glue is much easier - the entire installation process is greatly simplified by the absence of a metal or wooden frame, the construction of which takes quite a lot of time.

Installation of MDF wall panels photo

Before we begin directly attaching the panels, let’s first look at the glue that is used for these purposes. Or any glue will not work here - you need a composition that has certain qualities.

• Firstly, the glue must be plastic even after hardening - the fact is that MDF panels made from pressed cardboard are highly susceptible to deformation depending on the temperature and humidity in the room. Therefore, an adhesive is needed that can dampen these same temperature expansions.
• Secondly, the adhesive used for MDF panels should facilitate their fastening even in places where the walls are slightly curved. That is, the texture of the glue should make it possible to spread it both thin and thick - in a word, it should be thick enough. These requirements perfectly fit the so-called “”, which are successfully used by almost all craftsmen to solve the problem of how to install MDF panels.

Liquid nails for mounting MDF panels photo

The installation of panels using glue itself looks quite simple - its technology is almost completely described on a tube of “Liquid Nails” glue. It is not recommended to violate it. To begin with, the walls covered with panels must be cleaned of dust and dirt - in principle, if you are going to seriously engage in self-repair, then the priming process, which is performed to clean the walls from dust and dirt, and at the same time to improve the adhesion of materials, should become a habit. They always prime everything, everywhere.

Priming walls before installing MDF panels photo

After the primer has dried, the actual gluing of the panels begins. While it dries, you can do other preparations - for example, cutting several dozen panels to size.

The glue is applied directly to the panel itself in a dotted manner and in a checkerboard pattern - the glue drops should be large. Once the adhesive has been applied, the panel is pressed against the wall, tapped firmly and torn off. This is required by gluing technology - you need to tear off the panel so that the glue is weathered and the panel does not peel off from the wall under its own weight. To speed up the process and make installing MDF panels with your own hands faster, you can immediately, one after another, smear up to a dozen panels, attach them to the wall and tear them off. While the glue is weathering, you are allowed to take a smoke break - after five minutes, the panels can be hung on the wall again and thoroughly slammed down.

How to glue MDF panels to the wall photo

It is easy to glue the panels; it is much more difficult to trim them evenly and accurately. In this regard, special attention must be paid to slopes and similar obstacles encountered on the way to installing MDF panels. It should be understood that the even cutting of the panels completely depends appearance premises.

Installation of MDF panels on walls

Well, in conclusion, we will dwell on the main installation nuances that are typical for both methods of fastening MDF panels.

• First, there are the angles. It should be understood that it will not be possible to bend MDF panels, so they are simply cut as close to the corner as possible, after which the cut edges are safely overlapped with a special corner, which can be used for both external and internal corners.
• Secondly, this is the frame - the lowest horizontal profile should lie on the floor. In this way you will ensure reliable fastening skirting boards.
• Thirdly, to avoid misalignment in the future, the first panel must be installed in accordance with vertical level and secure firmly with self-tapping screws in places where they will subsequently be covered (at the bottom with a plinth, at the top with a ceiling, in a corner with a decorative trim). It is advisable to check the position of the panels with a level in the future - you don’t need to check everything in a row, but you need to apply it to every fifth panel.

That's basically it. This is how MDF panels are installed. This process is neither complicated nor simple, like, in general, any finishing work, wherein important role plays your attitude to the little things, which together have an impact on the overall picture of the repair. Simply put, there are no trifles in this matter.

When renovating a house, you always want to kill two birds with one stone and combine high quality low cost materials. At first glance, such an idea seems utopian, but what if we told you that it is quite real?

In this article we will not only talk about how to cover walls with MDF panels, but also show a short video on how to cover walls with MDF.

Something that must not be forgotten

Before moving on to a detailed answer to the question of how to cover walls with MDF panels, let's take a little time useful tips. In order for the repair to be of high quality and last for many years, it must be done in compliance with all rules and regulations.

Often, such rules are neglected, and then, when the finishing begins to deteriorate, they complain about low-quality materials and everything else.

Most often in such situations, the problem lies with the person who did the repairs, so here are some practical tips:

• Before covering the walls with MDF panels, be sure to prepare the base. The walls need additional protection to prevent fungus from forming on their surface. This can be done using special soil. deep penetration or impregnation for concrete or stone surfaces.
• If the sheathing under the panels is made of wooden blocks, treat them all with wood impregnations, which protect the bars from moisture absorption and from bark beetles. There is no need to skimp on impregnation; the better the wooden guides are protected, the longer the finish will last, and it will not have to be edited.

• In fact, walls covered with MDF do not need additional protection, but if you install them, for example, in the kitchen (see Wall decoration in the kitchen: choosing a material), where it is traditionally difficult environment, you might consider varnishing the panels. This will not affect the appearance in any way, but will provide additional protection from moisture and mechanical influences.
• Wall covering with MDF panels can be done in several ways. We will talk about this in more detail below, but for now we will only say that you need to decide on the method even before purchasing the material. The fact is that the panels may differ in the groove configuration, and for example, MDF for fastening with a stapler is not suitable for fixing with clamps.
• Modern manufacturers produce many various panels, differing in quality characteristics. There are laminated and moisture resistant. Of course, the price for them is also different, but in some cases there is no point in overpaying, for example, if you are covering the walls of a bedroom (see Decorating the bedroom: looking for options), then spending on laminated MDF will be simply pointless.

Advice! If you decide to do the repairs yourself, before you start work, be sure to watch how to cover walls with MDF panels video. This will help you understand the essence of the process and glean some subtleties that we cannot mention due to the scope of the article.

So, we have decided on the intricacies of the process, which means we can proceed directly to installation, and it begins not with the panels themselves, but with careful preparation of the surface and the manufacture of the sheathing.

Preparatory work

In fact, covering walls with MDF is not difficult; it is much more difficult to prepare the walls and assemble the sheathing. The subsequent quality of the finish and how long it will last without alteration and restoration will depend on this.

First of all, we prepare everything necessary tool so as not to look for it later throughout the house. Everything should be at hand, and then the process will go much faster and easier.

So, to finish the panels we will need the following set of tools:

• Roulette.
• Pencil.
• Building level.
• Hammer.
• Wood saw.
• A hammer drill and a drill for it, with a diameter corresponding to the selected dowels.
• Brushes or paint roller.
• Construction stapler and staples for it.

Now that everything is at hand, let's move on to the next stage.

Wall marking

Before you cover the wall with MDF and make the sheathing, you need to clearly decide which way your panels will go, horizontally or vertically. It is necessary to decide at this stage, since the installation takes place in a perpendicular order.

If you have decided on this issue, then you can proceed to applying markings. We will talk about vertical installation of panels, since it is considered more common.

First of all, we need to secure the outer bars, and to do this we find the lowest point from the ceiling and from the floor. We retreat approximately five centimeters from these points, and using a building level we draw a line along the entire perimeter of the room.

Now we have the extreme lines, and, starting from them, we divide the entire wall into equal sections, approximately 40-60 centimeters each. This distance is enough so that the panels do not sag and stand level.

Now that all the lines have been drawn, we put marks on each of them approximately 50 centimeters apart. At these points, the guide battens will be fixed to the wall, so you shouldn’t waste time on trifles; the more often the fasteners are in place, the stronger the structure will be.

Construction of sheathing

Instructions on how to properly assemble the sheathing are clearly shown in the video in this article. Be sure to watch it until the end to clearly understand the whole process, and in the meantime we will continue.

In those places where we placed marks on the horizontal lines, using a hammer drill we drill holes of the required depth. Now, using dowels, we nail the metal braces to the wall, which will hold the guides, and bend their ends perpendicular to the wall.

To make the sheathing, you can use three materials, each of which has its own pros and cons:

1. Wooden beam. The cheapest, but at the same time weak material. As you know, wood is susceptible to many negative impacts, and subsequently certain difficulties may arise with it.
2. Metal profile for drywall. Metal is more resistant to various influences, but upon contact with moisture, it begins to become covered with rust, which after a certain time can appear on the surface of the panels.
3. Galvanized profile. The most expensive material of all listed, but at the same time the most stable. The galvanized profile is not afraid of contact with water and easily tolerates temperature changes, so it can be used in rooms with an aggressive environment, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Important! If you need to cut a galvanized profile, under no circumstances use a grinder for this. From high revs, that's all protective covering it will simply burn out and the profile will remain unprotected.

Panel installation

So, our sheathing is ready, which means we have directly approached the question of how to cover the walls with MDF panels. In fact, the worst is already behind us and the process of installing panels is the easiest stage. You can start installation from any side that is convenient for you, there are no specific rules here, we just take the panel, place it against the corner and, using a stapler, through the ridge, fasten it to the sheathing.

One of the photos shows how the installation begins, and that the next bracket is driven into the ridge. We remind you that we are talking about how to sheathe walls with MDF boards using a stapler, and if you choose clamps, the technology will be slightly different, and you can read more about this in one of the articles on our website.

Next, insert the next panel into the groove, the one we just secured and repeat all the steps. This way, all the walls are sewn up, and there shouldn’t be any difficulties at this stage. The walls are ready, and all that remains is to fix the decorative corners. They are mounted with PVA glue. Everything is simple and clear, so we won’t even focus on this.

And in conclusion

Well, now we have figured out the question of how to sheathe walls with MDF. As you can see, there is nothing complicated or impossible here. The main thing is not to be afraid of difficulties, and to boldly get down to work, and if you still have questions, then you can read other articles on our website, where, we are sure, you will find answers to all your questions.

Wall or ceiling cladding different rooms, including loggias, is often performed using MDF panels. This material does not require a large number of components; its installation technology is quite simple. The range is represented by different types of panels, which differ in size, shade and texture.

More details about MDF material

To make a final decision for yourself which wall covering is best for DIY installation under certain conditions, you need to study information about the material: structure, properties, scope of application.

Dimensions, characteristics

MDF is a material made from carefully crushed wood (sawdust, shavings and other woodworking waste). Wood dust is exposed to high temperatures and pressed. The binding agent in this case is paraffin and lignin.

Surface cladding is carried out with sheets and panels of different dimensions: length varies from 900 to 3660 mm; width from 150 to 2070 mm; thickness from 1.8 to 60 mm. Most formats are non-standard, which allows you to choose the right option.

The standard length dimensions are 2.6 m. Less common material is 2.4 m long, as well as 2.7 m. The value of the width parameter varies greatly: from 0.15 to 2.07 m.

Main characteristics:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Excellent strength properties;
• Long-term operation;
• High-quality panel surface;
• Soundproofing properties.

Where is it used?

MDF is used in construction (cladding walls, ceilings, doors), furniture production, automotive industry. For installation on loggias, a material is required that is resistant to temperature changes, humidity and ultraviolet radiation. MDF satisfies these criteria, especially moisture resistant sheet panels.

Preparing for work

Cladding the surfaces of the walls and ceiling of the loggia is carried out in several stages, the first of which is the preparation of the material. Sheet panels are transferred to the balcony so that they acquire required level humidity. This will avoid deformation of the MDF.

Tool

• Hammer;
• Screwdriver;
• Roulette
• Hacksaw for woodworking, metal scissors;
• Level.

Consumables you will need are wood screws, clamps and galvanized corners. And, polyurethane foam, sealant.

Auxiliary materials

Balcony finishing with MDF panels is carried out using components and materials:

• Any insulation from a number of existing ones (mineral wool, penofol, penoplex, etc.);
• Fasteners (nails, screws, clamps);
• Primers for different materials(concrete, wood);
• Accessories for MDF;
• Wooden beams or special profiles for gypsum boards for lathing.

Room measurements and MDF calculation

Do-it-yourself finishing of walls and flow requires precise measurements premises. First of all, you need to determine the length and height of the walls. The number of panels can be determined by drawing up a diagram of their best location on the wall.

In this case, you need to form a pattern, and there should be as few seams as possible. The number of bars/profiles for the sheathing is determined based on the dimensions of the wall and a sketch that takes into account the distance between the guides (50 cm). The dimensions of the bars are selected taking into account surface unevenness (25x40 mm, 40x40 mm, 30-50 mm).

Step-by-step panel installation technology

Lathing allows you to create more robust construction. The advantage of this solution is that there is no need to specially level the surface of the walls. But the crumbling base (concrete, plaster) must be treated with a special compound that will strengthen it. For wood, other means are used - antiseptics.

Step 1: Selecting the type of frame and its installation

There are two types of sheathing: wooden planks and metal profile for gypsum board. The first option will be cheaper, but it is susceptible to exposure to a humid environment. For this reason, it is better to install such a frame on a loggia that is well insulated. The metal counterpart is stronger and can withstand any operating conditions.

The distance between the two slats should be 40-50 centimeters. The bottom rail is attached at a distance of approximately 3-5 cm from the floor.

Procedure for installing the sheathing:

1. The highest point of unevenness is determined, this is where the first plank needs to be attached;
2. On the remaining surface of the wall you will have to lay edged material;
3. If the wall is flat, the installation of horizontal guides is carried out from below, after which the top bar is installed, and then the crossbars;
4. The distance from the floor and ceiling is 3-5 cm.

The wooden frame is fastened using dowel-nails and self-tapping screws. For metal, anchors and metal screws are used.

Step 2: Installation of thermal insulation

Insulation is laid between the sheathing strips. Its thickness must correspond to the height of the frame, otherwise the sheet panels will be deformed. For installation between the sheathing guides, almost any insulation is used: mineral wool

, penoplex, foam plastic.

The insulation should be located over the entire surface of the wall, including under the sheathing belts. Otherwise, heat loss on the balcony can be up to 40%.

The insulation is simply placed in the cells of the frame. If sheet panels are glued to the surface of the walls, thermal insulation with increased strength is used. Step 3:

MDF fastening Finishing the balcony with MDF panels is carried out using different types of fasteners: self-tapping screws, clamps, installation with glue. If an adhesive is used, it is recommended to use moisture resistant materials , which are also universal and suitable for attaching material to different types

surfaces (concrete, plaster). Detailed

step-by-step instruction

1. The sequence of actions is as follows:
2. Alignment of loggia walls;
3. Thorough cleaning and degreasing;
4. Primer;

Applying glue. For attaching MDF to wooden frame

wood screws are used. They are installed at a distance of 10-15 mm from the edge of the panel. This will allow you to hide the screw heads under the corners and baseboards. Step 4:

Connection and fastening to clamps

On the tenon side, MDF is secured with self-tapping screws. If the panel rests on the corner of the wall, the connecting element must be cut off. The next panel is attached not only by snapping into the groove, but also by using glue. The connecting element is glued. The clamps also securely fix the sheet panels.

A clamp is attached to the side of the MDF panel where the groove is located. Next, it is fixed with self-tapping screws on the rail. When moving to another wall, the material is cut at 45 degrees (from the groove side), the next panel is cut at 45 degrees from the tenon side. Last panel

the end is rounded.

MDF can be installed along and across the slope. The preferred option is determined by its width. For a narrow slope, it is better to choose a transverse installation of the material. For the purpose of finishing corner areas and cracks, special corners, profiles, and plinths have been created. With their help you can hide any leaks. The components are cut and installed using adhesive.

So the finishing MDF ceiling panels or other surface (walls, slopes, parapet) is made different ways: with glue, with self-tapping screws, nails and with lathing. The first option is the least reliable and requires maximum effort: leveling the walls of the loggia, cleaning, degreasing, priming

MDF panels for walls - boards made from wood fiber by dry pressing wood shavings. This building material is different medium density, and to give it a high degree of strength, sawdust is mixed with urea resins and processed using high temperature and significant pressure. Finally, the MDF panel is further processed to achieve aesthetic appeal.

Features and Benefits

MDF for walls is prepared using the same technology, but the finish of their surface is always different, in this regard, several types of these panels for walls can be distinguished:

1. created using as decorative finishing coverings from natural veneer. The products are distinguished not only by their excellent strength and reliability, but also by their high price.
2. panels are the most popular and in demand of all types of material. To create these panels, pasting with melamine film is used. This allows you to simulate the structure natural wood so popular when decorating the walls of a room. To improve the appearance of the slabs, they are covered with a high-gloss film.
3. Technical and office premises, workshops and garages are finished using painted MDF panels. In this case decorative coating is a layer of paint. On such models there is no imitation of the tree structure.

MDF panels have improved technical characteristics. When creating them, the manufacturer does not use harmful resins rich in phenol.

After grinding and processing the wood chips, the resulting dust is treated under high temperature in special ovens. The process lasts until lignin is released, which ensures the gluing of the raw material.

The main advantages of the MDF panel are:

• attractive price;
• possibility of use both for leveling the surface of walls and for decoration;
• ease of installation without the help of a qualified specialist;
• strength;
• reliability;
• resistance to mechanical damage;
• ease of care.

There are several ways to attach MDF wall panels during work related to decorating the surface of walls indoors. One of them requires the assembly of a frame and sheathing, while the other requires a special adhesive for wall panels.

Frame mounting

To assemble a high-quality frame and sheathing, use wooden blocks or metal profile. Both structures are required for fastening decorative material when registering residential and office premises. Methods of attaching panels to the frame allow not only to visually change inner space, but also to hide certain defects found on the surface of the walls. When choosing how to mount, you need to take into account the degree of unevenness of the base. Significant flaws in the form of voids, dips or bumps can be corrected with the help of a high-quality frame and sheathing.

Fastening the wall panels to the frame is necessary during work related to leveling the surface. In rooms with high humidity For the construction of the frame, only a metal profile is used. The construction of the sheathing allows for installation additional insulation. Frame for attaching panels with your own hands in dry and warm room collected from wooden beam: prepared wood (blocks with a section of 30x40) must be installed and secured strictly vertically along the entire perimeter of the room.

The very first (starting) profile is attached directly to the floor, the second - to the ceiling. Having installed horizontal profiles along the entire perimeter of the room, proceed to attaching vertical guides. The distance between the bars does not exceed 60 cm. This is due to the fact that the dimensions of the MDF panels are as follows:

• width ranges from 153 to 200mm;
• the length depends on which company is the manufacturer; this parameter reaches from 2 to 2.6 m;
• thickness from 5 to 14 mm.

Installation Features

Installation of MDF panels, metal profiles or bars begins from any corner of the room by laying individual elements vertically or horizontally. If it is necessary to create additional noise or heat insulation, insulation boards are placed between the lathing slats.

The distance between the slats in this case depends on the parameters of the thermal insulation material used. It is 2-3 cm smaller than the width of the insulation, which allows the mineral wool slabs to be tightly laid.

Each MDF panel is equipped with a special groove for installing clamps and fastening to the frame. The frame itself is fixed using “crabs” and brackets. Attaching MDF panels to the wall cannot be called a complex process if the frame of the structure is assembled correctly and strictly to the level.

When creating the sheathing, it is important to remember that the fastening elements (screws), or rather their length, are selected taking into account the thickness and height of the bar or profile. The self-tapping screw must be embedded into the wall to a depth of at least 40 mm.

Before constructing the frame, you need to determine the highest point on the wall surface and set the vertical and horizontal from this value. All work is carried out under the constant supervision of a building level equipped with a spirit level. It is necessary to check not only the horizontal and vertical, but also both diagonals on each wall being sheathed.

The dimensions of MDF panels are of great importance when it is decided to attach them to the wall using a frame, and when performing work using a special adhesive composition, certain types of panels are chosen.

It is more difficult than covering a correctly assembled frame with such panels.

Glue mounting

Before attaching MDF panels to the wall, you must:

1. Clean the surface from any dirt, dust, remnants of old coating in the form of paint, wallpaper or cracked plaster.
2. All areas to be restored must be plastered again.
3. After the solution has completely dried, prime the wall for maximum adhesion.

Knowing how to attach MDF panels to the wall, you can complete all the work in the shortest possible time. It is necessary that the surface is not only carefully prepared, but also absolutely flat. MDF panels must be glued to the wall in such a way as to ensure complete adhesion and avoid air getting under the components of the structure.

If tiled or ceramic tile glued to the walls in one motion and cannot be dismantled and re-glued, the peculiarity of the process of gluing MDF panels is that the future cladding cannot be glued immediately. It must be pressed against the wall, held for a few seconds and torn off. After this, let the glue dry slightly and re-attach the panel to the wall surface. You can glue MDF only by applying significant force when pressing the panel.

If the wall surface is prepared incorrectly or poorly for gluing MDF panels, the fixation will not be strong and durable.

Panels with adhesive applied to their surface must be laid on a clean, dry, absolutely flat and smooth wall. The quality of the cladding also depends on how correctly the first panel was glued. It must be secured in strict accordance with the vertical mark made using a plumb line or laser level level.

The final stage is the installation of plugs and other decorative elements. The inner corners are fixed with glue. Its color is selected exactly to match the finishing material and applied with a thin snake, trying to avoid the appearance of excess on the panels after pressing the corner.

You can study all stages of the work in detail by watching the video.

Interior decoration using MDF wall panels is very popular due to the many positive qualities, which this finishing material. This is not only an opportunity to perform all manipulations without the involvement of qualified specialists, but also to increase the strength and reliability of the structure. Wall panels MDF allows you to change the interior space of a room, giving it attractiveness and increasing its aesthetics.

MDF panels are an excellent decorative finishing material, which is characterized by high installation speed and the absence of the need for “wet” work at all stages of finishing.

The panels also have their drawbacks (for example, MDF, like any wood, is afraid of water and high humidity, and is less resistant to mechanical damage compared to synthetic materials, work to restore damage to it is associated with a number of difficulties, etc.).

Fastening MDF panels depends on the type of base and the desired result. The most common type of fastening is mechanical (on the base, a frame is often equipped with wooden or metal guides, to which MDF panels are attached using nails, screws or clamps) and chemical - using adhesive compositions.

The last method assumes an even monolithic base, since in this case there is no frame made of profiles or guides.

Glue for MDF - review of the best options

The most commonly used adhesives for MDF panels are:

• Liquid Nails . A universal adhesive characterized by high adhesion, resistance to corrosion and moisture. Liquid nails do not react with substrates, unlike deep-penetrating glue.
• Polyurethane (or construction) foam. Characterized by various properties such as heat insulation, sound insulation and high adhesion.
• Universal construction adhesive. A wide group of products, divided into many segments and areas of application. For MDF panels, it is necessary to use only those adhesives that provide adhesion to the base materials (brick, concrete, plasterboard, tiles, etc.) and wood (MDF consists of fine sawdust).

The most popular adhesive for MDF panels is liquid nails (TYTAN or TITEBOND Multi).

In addition to the economic effect when choosing an adhesive, you need to take into account the specifics of working with it (time for initial fixation, final drying time, application method, service life, necessary tools and materials, etc.).

Installation of MDF panels with glue - instructions

Let's consider the technology for installing MDF using the adhesive compositions indicated above.

Liquid Nails(similar to— universal construction adhesives). The thickness of the adhesive layer is only 3-5 mm, so the base on which the panels will be glued must be perfectly flat. Otherwise, the panels will follow all the unevenness of the walls or peel off in places where they do not fit tightly.

Therefore, before gluing MDF panels to the wall, it must be leveled.

1. Degrease the surface, remove all dirt, and fill the crumbling areas with putty.
2. Before starting work, you need to make sure there are no irregularities using building regulations, long level or other tool.
3. The glue is applied in wave-like movements or in another way (for example, pointwise in large drops) so that it is evenly distributed over the width and length of the panel. The pitch between the adhesive strips determines the force with which the panel will stick to the base. That is, for example, when installing in places of greatest load, the frequency of application can be increased. Usually this is 10-15 cm. If the manufacturer determines the waiting time before gluing, it is necessary to maintain the required pause.
4. Using a construction bubble or laser level, the starting panel is installed at the desired angle (depending on the intended pattern and direction of installation). Most often used vertical installation panels. You should start from the corner.
5. The glue on the first panel must have time to set to the base before installing subsequent ones (the same principle applies to other difficult places adjacencies, for example, internal or external corners). Setting time depends on the type of glue (see instructions).
6. Thanks to the tongue-and-groove connection, subsequent panels can be installed without waiting (except for the waiting time before gluing).

Corners (internal or external), as well as horizontal and vertical junctions without a tongue-and-groove connection, are covered with decorative moldings (universal MDF corners). The glue should be applied to the middle of each side of the decorative corner (so that when pressed, excess glue does not come out).

The main thing is not to damage the decorative layer of the panels.

Option 2. Polyurethane foam.

Installation technology for MDF panels using construction foam is in many ways similar to installation technology using liquid nails or universal glue, with the only difference that the error of wall unevenness using foam can be higher due to a significant increase in foam volume.

The waiting time before gluing the MDF panel to the base depends on the requirements of the foam manufacturer.

VIDEO INSTRUCTION

Basic installation errors

For liquid nails:

• Do not overexpose the glue before installing the panel on the base. Otherwise, adhesion will be significantly lower.
• Incorrect application of glue - MDF panels will lose their attractive appearance if glue gets on the decorative front surface.
• Wiping off excess glue with a heavily dampened rag may cause the decorative coating to peel off.

For polyurethane foam:

• For gluing, use foam with low coefficient shrinkage and professional tool(high-quality guns for construction foam can smoothly and strictly dose regulate its supply).
• If you do not wait for the first panel to set, then when subsequent panels move, the foam may collapse and not be fixed to the base.

Question: why can’t you glue MDF onto liquid nails?

Liquid nails glue is distinguished by its versatility. It is suitable for installation large number various building materials. And if “wood” is included in the list of materials to be glued, then liquid nails are not only possible, but also must be used for gluing MDF panels.

Often, ordinary people can confuse “liquid nails” glue with sealants or silicones (they are applied using the same tool, the tube is very similar to the tube of liquid nails and in the store they can be on the same shelf).

However, sealants for gluing MDF panels are not recommended, since their main purpose is to fix plumbing products and seal seams.