Using MDF....

[CyberGypsy]

Hi all, I'm planning to put together a couple enclosures for my 2 baby BP's. I was thinking of using 1/2" MDF, painting it, then sealing it with a water based sealant.
Does anyone see any reason not to use MDF?
Also, what type of paint would be best? Latex? Enamel? Other? I assume oil would be best to avoid.
Oh, one last question, does anyone know if Lowes or Home Depot carry the track for sliding glass doors or will I have to order that online?
Thanks for any help :)

[Mark]

The only reason I don'y use MDF myself is that if you don't seal it really well or any water can get into it it swells like noithing else.

[CyberGypsy]

Yeah, that was one of my concerns with MDF. I thought about using particle board which is slightly more forgiving, but the edges of MDF just clean up so much nicer.
I looked at melamine, but its alot more expensive and will still give me some ugly edges. Also I've read that it isn't very forgiving as far as moisture is concerned if it isn't sealed well too.

Any suggestions on sealing the MDF if I go that route? Prefered products, extra steps to take make sure I've done it really well?

[mykee]

I find that MDF is terribly heavy when compared to an equal size chunk of melamine or particle board.

[CyberGypsy]

Very much so. Is there anyway to dress up the edges of particle board to make it more smooth and clean looking? Some form of putty perhaps that could be smoothed out and sanded flat before painting and sealing? Hehe, would bond-o work?

[Invictus]

MDF is way too porous. You can't really seal it properly. It's incredibly heavy, will dip in the middle if you build a large enclosure, and will absorb smells like you wouldn't believe. Melamine is way better than MDF, and shouldn't be that much more expensive. At Home Depot, it's almost the same price.

[Icefire]

4'x8' melamine 5/8" thick is 19$ canadian
same thing with mdf is like 29.99 here

[Linds]

If you do opt for MDF (which is justhe same stuff as melamine minus the coating) you will need to seal it with more than a waterbased sealant. Your best bet would be to epoxythe entire thing. MDF gives off a lot of formaldehyde and other things from the glues that are used in it. Its the number one building material that causes health problems in people.

[CyberGypsy]

Cost s just the opposite here. About $30-$35 for a 4'x8' seet of melamine and $19 for a sheet of MDF.
I'll take a look around, see if I can't find a lumbar yard that might have it cheaper and try to avoid the MDF.
Thanks for all the help :)

[JasonBrennan]

Here, check out this link if you are really interested in building a cage out of MDF, it will take you thru it step by step:

http://www.chondroweb.com/fineGTPs/caging.htm

I have actually built some of these cages, and they work out great, no problems whatsoever, still look the same as the day I built them.

[Invictus]

Linds, MDF is WAY different than Melamine. Melamine is particle board. There is a difference between particle board and fibreboard. MDF is essentially made of dust and glue. Particle board uses much bigger particles and even smaller chips, but not chips as large as those that go into OSB. MDF weighs almost twice as much as melamine too.

Also, where are you getting your data about either MDF or Particle board causing problems in humans? Most furniture is made from MDF. I've never heard of it outgassing or causing human health problems, even when it is drilled. If it was fresh made enough to still outgas, it wouldn't be fit for retail, because it would mean the resins haven't set yet. Once they harden, they cannot outgas.

[CyberGypsy]

Wow, thanks for the link Jason. In the guys article it sayd not to paint the wood since the solvents can make the contact paper bubble. Do you think he just means the sides that the paper would be applied to?
I like the contact paper, I suppose I could just cover the outside with it as well instead of painting too...depending on the cost of it. Would work with Particle board too, make things lighter than MDF and maybe a little cheaper than Melamine...with my choice of color :)
How does the contact paper hold up to moisture in your enclosures?

[JasonBrennan]

If you look in my gallery there is a pic or two of a MDF cage I built along the same lines as those described on that site. I used contact paper, applied to all pieces BEFORE any assembly took place. This ensures that all surfaces are covered.

I have had no problems whatsoever with moisture in that cage. I use cypress mulch in the cage, and I also mist as needed. I do take care to not spray water directly on any exposed MDF (such as the outside of the cage, which is not finished yet...will post pictures of that project when complete, trying something very different with that one!)

[CyberGypsy]

Nice cage, I see you used the black marble. I was just checking that pattern out at Home Depot a few minutes ago. Looks really good.

Got a nice 3 day weekend, I may have to build myself a cage :)

Thanks again!

[Yve]

i recently started building cages out of melamine....and i think although it is a little more expensive its one less step because its already coated...$20 more per sheet to me is not a huge amount of money spent for less hassle in building and sealing. There is pre-glued veneer edging that you can buy that seals the raw edges and makes them look nice. The only water proofing you need to do is sealing the joints and vent hole edges with aquarium silicone and voila no water damage! thats just my preference.