Airing cupboard materials

Worrymerchant

We're having an airing cupboard built around a radiator on our landing. We were thinking wood for the materials (2 panel doors with some cornice type detail at the top, the builder we are using has suggested using MDF.

I guess its because the wood will warp but I'm not a fan of it as it's a 1900 terrace & we'd like to add things in keeping. What would you advise, can you build something nice using mdf??

many thanks

phill99

Your details are limited but I would suggest that doors are fine, although it does depend on the width of the opening as doors come in specific sizes (from 15" and 3" increments ie 18", 21", 24" etc and normally from specialist suppliers), whereas MDF can be cut to any size. Doors 'blanks' maybe a better option (this is effectively an oversized solid door that can be cut to size0. It also depends on the thickness of the frame etc. So there are a number of parameters to consider. Its not an exact science!

ukwoody

It is damn hard trying to prevent any wood door from warping on an airing cupboard, however you should cut the door fractionally short at the bottom - and idealy at the top or don't put a doorstop on the top. many chippies dont do this, but it is designed to allow air to rise and create movement and faciliate drying. As for the actual construction of the sides, almost anytinhg will do providing it is correctly framed and supported, and given the air flow just mentioned so T&G, Ply, MDF will do.

MDF has a disadvantage in this particular field in that it doesn't like moisture (unless you use moisture resitant, and thats dear) so it wouldn't be my first choice, but could be still used if desired.

woody

Daisy_Daisy_2

as long as you paint the MDF it will be fine. we've had MDF doors on our airing cupboard for years and they are still ok. we also had spring catches fitted so that the doors blend into the wall.

Worrymerchant

thanks for the replies, an MDF frame with wooden doors sounds like the right compromise.