Installation of MDF panels: two ways of attaching wall panels to walls. We decorate the walls with MDF panels Installation of MDF wall panels

Wall cladding with MDF panels is an affordable and easy way to decorate living spaces.

The finishing material has a decent attractive appearance, has excellent heat and noise insulation properties, and do-it-yourself installation of MDF panels is not very difficult.

Interior decoration of walls with MDF panels is carried out by two main methods: on the crate and directly on the wall surface. Preference for one or another finishing option is based on the condition of the walls in the room and the conditions of its operation.

Wireframe method

The essence of the method is to fasten MDF finishing boards to a pre-built crate. It is used in several cases:

• the surface of the wall is uneven and there is no way to eliminate the defect;
• the room needs heat or sound insulation;
• there is a need to hide engineering communications - wiring, for example, located on the walls.

Finishing materials

Using the frame method, it is allowed to mount MDF panels on a wall of any form factor - slatted lamellas, wall panels and decorative sheets. And appearance slabs, and the thickness of the panel, and the quality will be determined not by the method of installation, but by the functionality of the room.

1. Form Factor

The most commonly used rack material, because thanks to the tongue-and-groove docking, its installation is simple and does not take much time.

Sheathing with tile and sheet panels is more difficult, as it is associated with the need to comply with a certain pattern.

1. Thickness.

Plates are produced with a thickness of 6 mm for rack, and 3 mm for sheet products. For finishing the walls of premises with severe operating conditions, it is recommended to choose MDF panels of the maximum thickness.

1. Moisture resistance.

Moisture resistant MDF panels are used for finishing the bathroom, toilet and kitchen.

Tools and Consumables

• MDF boards - lath, panel, sheet.
• Universal corner made of fiberboard - used in the design of corners.
• - if thermal insulation work is carried out.
• Perforator, jigsaw, knife.
• Square and rule, kapron thread.
• "Liquid nails" or other wood glue.
• Wood screws - from 40 to 80 mm, plastic dowels or corks - for fastening the crate.
• Nails, clamps with a tongue of the required height, glue - depending on the chosen method of installing the panel.

Preparatory stage

1. Since during the installation of MDF panels on a metal frame or wooden crate is not performed, its preparation is reduced to cleaning from dust and dirt. However, if large cracks are observed on the wall, they should be repaired.
2. The wiring is retracted into pipes from the corrugation.
3. With a general high level of humidity in the apartment, surface treatment with an antiseptic primer is recommended.

The thermal expansion coefficient of MDF products is low, but the moisture resistance is low, so the material should be kept indoors for 2-3 days in order to equalize the humidity of the plate and the air.

With a small sheet thickness - 3-6 mm, this stage can be neglected, with a large one - 16-20 mm, exposure is necessary.

Fabrication and installation of crates

The frame is made of wooden bars with a section of 20 × 40 mm, or a galvanized profile. Both solutions have their advantages.

Wooden crate is much easier to install, does not require a large number of hardware, and is characterized by the ability to absorb and release moisture at a level close to MDF boards.

However, the material requires additional processing. antiseptics and does not exclude the possibility of destruction under the action of moisture.

The metal frame is highly durable and resistant to moisture.

Mounting MDF panels on a metal profile provides a rigid fastening, which prevents the panels from elongating. In rooms with noticeable changes in temperature and humidity, such as loggias, this leads to warping of the finish.

Since, with the exception of special moisture-resistant ones, they are also not resistant to moisture, you should not build a frame that is more durable than the sheathing itself.

Installation of lathing for MDF panels: detailed instructions

Lamellas can be arranged horizontally, vertically or diagonally. A pattern can be formed from square panels. In any case, the mounting directions of the battens and MDF panels must be perpendicular to each other.

The diagonal method of laying panels is more material-intensive.

Most often applied vertical mounting finishing, as it provides a minimum of waste.

1. The most convex place is determined on the wall surface - its height is a reference point.

The frame rail must pass through the top of the bulge.

1. The recommended pitch is 40-60 cm. With a large sheet, the pitch can be increased.

The possibility of increasing is checked as follows: if the panel, when pressed by hand between the rails, slightly bends, then the change is permissible.

1. The wall is marked with a pencil.

In this case, it is desirable to place the bottom bar as close to the floor as possible: a plinth is attached to it.

1. The rail is installed first at the most convex place.

The bar is placed on the marked line, a hole is drilled in the wall through the bar with a puncher. The depth of the hole is calculated in such a way that the self-tapping screw is in the main wall by at least 30-40 mm. The fastening step is at least 60 cm.

1. First of all, the rail is fixed at the top of the bulge - close to the wall, and then from the opposite end, previously set to the level.
2. To check the plane of the bar from one to the other end of the wall, a thread is stretched and fixed on self-tapping screws in level, a match is placed between the cap and the thread.

Correction of the fastening of the rail is carried out using wedges, the thickness of which is determined by the magnitude of the deviation of the fastening depth compared to the control point.

1. Blanks for wedges are cut from the rail and trimmed with a knife in the course of work.

It is allowed to use pieces of plywood.

1. The second rail, usually lower, is installed in the same way: the ends are fixed in level, and the rest of the fastening is adjusted along the thread.
2. The following frame elements are mounted as follows: the rule is applied to the fixed rails, and the next bar is set in a plane with the first two.

It is forbidden to attach any objects to the MDF panel. However, it is quite possible to hang a mirror in the hallway if the MDF wall panels are mounted on a frame.

Wall cladding with MDF panels

Sheathing is started after the construction of the frame.

Mounting methods:

• Glue.

The adhesive composition is applied to the panel in the areas of fixation to the crate. Suitable for thin slabs;

• Mechanical fastening with staples, nails or self-tapping screws.

Provides secure fixation, but does not compensate for thermal elongation. The method is recommended for rooms with stable temperature and humidity indicators;

• Fastening with clamps.

The clip is put on the edge of the panel, and attached to the crate with nails. This is the most recommended option.

Installation sequence

1. Slatted slats and universal corners are cut to length with a jigsaw or hacksaw. The edges are sanded.
2. Installation can be started from any corner of the room.

1. The first lamella is fixed in such a way that the edge with the ridge is directed towards the corner, and the gap between the wall and the sheathing board is 2–3 mm.

From the side of the crest, the lamella is fixed with screws to the rails, and from the side of the groove, a clamp is put on the edge and fastened. When docking, fasteners are hidden by the crest of the next element.

The next panels are inserted with a comb into the groove of the previous one and fixed with clamps.

1. The last panel, as a rule, needs to be adjusted.

The plate is tried on, the required width is determined, an extra fragment is cut off. Then the element is inserted, and in the corner it is also fixed with self-tapping screws.

1. The corners and the upper edge are finished with a universal corner.

Design of sockets and switches

When decorating walls with MDF panels in such areas, it is necessary:

• try on the panel and mark the location of the outlet;
• cut a hole of the appropriate diameter;
• fix two bars in parallel on the wall so that the future socket can be installed on them;
• fix the MDF board to the crate.

Frameless method: do-it-yourself sheathing

The method is implemented when the walls of the room are different flat surface, or if one of the tasks of the repair is their careful alignment. Any MDF products can be used, but more often by this method

Training

Before proceeding with the installation of MDF panels on glue, the surface is cleaned and primed. Most often, a primer with an antiseptic effect is used.

Rack lamellas are cut to the desired height, a corner is also cut off, the edges are processed sandpaper. Square panels are adjusted after fitting.

Adhesives used

The adhesive composition must meet two requirements:

• After drying, maintain some plasticity, for the perception of thermal expansion of the material.
• Possess a dense structure, which would make it possible to apply glue both in a thin and thick layer. This property makes it possible to attach the panel qualitatively even in cases where the wall surface is curved.

The most commonly used are "Liquid Nails" and "Installation Moment", but there may be other options - "MitreFix", "Crystal Moment".

Cladding installation: sequence of actions

1. Sheathing is recommended to start from the corner towards the window opening.
2. On the wall, horizontal and vertical markings are made according to the size of the panels.
3. Glue is applied to the back of the slab in zigzag stripes.
4. The panel is easily pressed against the wall and immediately removed.

After 2-5 minutes, it is fixed tightly. Thus, they achieve more strong connection. The first lamella must be checked with a vertical level.

1. Laying of plates is carried out end-to-end or overlapped.
2. In areas where it is planned to install sockets and switches, holes are pre-drilled in the panel.
3. The corners and the upper edge are closed with a universal corner, the lower one with a plinth.

Finishing nuances: processing of joints and corners

To finish the corners, a universal corner is used. It consists of two plates made of chipboard and connected on the front side with a film.

The strips can be bent both inward and outward, which allows the element to be used to decorate any corners.

1. The corner is cut to the desired length. Docking, if the design of the upper edge is made, is made at an angle of 45 degrees.
2. Landing on glue is recommended in two stages: light pressing so that the composition is distributed both on the lining and on the surface of the corner, and then tight with pressure.
3. The remains of the glue, if they still appear, are cut off with a paint knife after complete solidification. They are difficult to remove with a cleaning agent or solvent.

In exactly the same way, the joints are finished, if such a need arose. However, in this case, it is necessary to carefully select the element by color.

Finishing MDF boards does not apply to work high level complexity and requires not so much experience as thoroughness of implementation.

From the point of view of aesthetics, it is not recommended to trim both the ceiling and the walls of the room with tiles at the same time. Styles that suggest such a solution are not implemented in city apartments. But for a balcony or loggia, this is quite an acceptable option.

• Preparation for work
• How to install panels?
• Frame manufacturing
• Panel mounting

MDF panels have many positive properties, due to which they are becoming increasingly popular and widespread. Among others - low cost and environmental friendliness. Almost anyone can mount these panels on their own. This is a fairly simple job, which requires only sufficient accuracy. It is possible to perform decorative wall decoration using MDF panels without special professional skills in the field of repair or woodwork.

Scheme of fittings for plastic panels.

What is MDF wall panels?

For the production of MDF, waste from the woodworking industry is used. However, they differ significantly from fiberboard and chipboard both in the method of manufacture and in their characteristics. No binders are used in their manufacture, the production technology is based on the method of hot and dry pressing of wood. The use of this processing method contributes to the fact that the fibers and tubes of lignin that make up the wood, under the influence of high temperature and pressure, adhere to each other due to the resulting plasticity. In its structure, MDF resembles a kind of wood felt.

With their mechanical properties, MDF is inferior to most of these materials, their trump card is environmental friendliness, which is achieved due to the rejection of the use of astringent chemicals in their manufacture. It is the ideal material for interior decoration. When working with this material, you must adhere to the same rules as when working with wood. For gluing MDF panels, the same glue is used as for wood. However, the adhesive composition specially developed for MDF is liquid nails. This adhesive contains sawdust, thanks to which it can be used not only for gluing, but also for puttying various defects, such as cracks. In addition, this glue can be used to seal the heads of self-tapping screws.

Related article: How to make a bath screen

When purchasing materials, pay attention to the matching of the color of the glue and the decorative finish of the MDF panels. Otherwise, the adhesive may spoil the appearance of the finish.

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Preparation for work

Scheme of installation of MDF panels.

Installation of panels is carried out mainly with the help of ordinary household tools that are in every home. From specific devices, you will need a plumb line, which you can make yourself. To do this, simply tie a fishing line or strong thread on the nut tightly. Also, stock up building level, a tape measure and a nozzle for a drill that allows you to screw in self-tapping screws. You will need the latter if you do not have a special screwdriver. You may need a metal square with sides of different thicknesses, it is also called a metalwork. You will need it to make it easier to cut panels for slopes. It is used as follows: the cut is carried out, leaning on the leg of a smaller thickness, and the thicker leg is used as an emphasis.

Panels can be cut electric jigsaw or manual circular saw. If you have to buy these tools, then keep in mind that the cost of a saw with a cutting depth of 12 mm is much higher than the cost of a jigsaw. However, the versatility of the saw should also be taken into account. When changing discs, it can be used to cut a wide variety of materials. In addition, the saw is compact and easy to use.

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How to install panels?

Before installing MDF wall panels, they must be calculated and purchased in the required quantity. Determining how much material is needed is quite simple. To do this, it is enough to calculate the surface area that will be lined, and add 15% in reserve.

Scheme of installation of a suspended ceiling made of PVC panels.

Inspect the area before starting work. If it has ever dampened, the wall covering is blistered or cracked, the plaster has noticeable irregularities, or the plaster is less than 1.2 cm thick, thorough surface preparation must be carried out. To do this, you need to completely clean the main wall of plaster and remove the baseboards.

Related article: How to install an interior door frame with your own hands

There are 2 ways to install MDF. The first involves the device of the crate on which the panels will be attached, and the second will require special galvanized profiles.

Installing a wooden crate is easier than installing profiles.

Scheme of additional profiles.

It will require less hardware for fasteners, but its cost is higher than the cost of profiles. When making a wooden crate, the slats or slabs must be impregnated in a special antifungal compound, and also treated with materials that will protect them from rot and mold.

It is not recommended to use the crate in brick houses and in damp rooms, since ideal conditions are created for pests in the space between the wall and the cladding. you will not notice that the finish is damaged until the mold or fungus comes out, and when this happens, they have already had time to spread widely. Harmful particles can penetrate to the crate through the pores of the brick.

For the manufacture of metal frame you will need U-shaped profiles: guides and ordinary (UD and CD, respectively). The main difference between them is the cutaway configuration.

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Frame manufacturing

Dowels or self-tapping screws are used to fasten the wooden crate to the wall. For metal crates, only self-tapping screws are used. The diameter of the fastener should be between 4 and 6 mm, depending on the strength of the base wall: the stronger, the smaller the diameter. The fastener must be driven into the base wall by at least 3 cm. That is, if the thickness of the MDF panel is 1.6 cm, the thickness of the crate element is 4 cm, plaster is applied to the wall with a layer of 1.2 cm, then it is permissible to use self-tapping screws or dowels with a length at least 10 cm.

Installation of a wooden crate begins with the installation of vertical racks. They are placed in each corner in pairs, so that an angle forms between them. Also, vertical racks are located on the sides of the door and window openings for the entire height of the room. They must be strictly vertical. You can check this with a plumb line.

When performing wall decoration, a large amount of time is spent on leveling the surface. Therefore, for those who wish to carry out a major repair or make a new department after the construction of the facility, it is very important to simplify this task. One of the most common materials for leveling is drywall. However, it cannot provide high structural strength, and must also be replaced after the adhesive-based decorative finish has been removed. A more advantageous material in this situation is MDF. It is made with or without a decorative layer applied, allowing you to create your own color. Do-it-yourself wall decoration with MDF panels is quite simple and does not require special skills or abilities in facing work.

Installation technology

MDF panels have various forms in the form of square, rectangular or type-setting lath plates. Therefore, at the first stage, it is necessary to determine the most suitable sizes, as well as the type of decorative finish. If you plan to do the work yourself without outside help, then it is better to choose those that are smaller in size. If necessary, reduce the time of work carried out, take large panels.

Before installation work it is necessary to lay out the panels in the room so that they can acquire normal humidity. This will prevent the formation of gaps at the joints or the appearance of mechanical stresses. When the temperature changes by 300C, the elongation can be up to 10 mm. Walls must be treated with special impregnations without fail. They destroy harmful microorganisms and do not allow them to develop further.

MDF is mounted on a wooden or metal profile crate. This allows not only to create a strong and reliable design, and to ensure the ventilation of the main wall material. Wooden crate is more common, as it is close in properties to MDF, and is also relatively cheap. However, if the bars were not dried natural way, then during operation they can be bent, and the MDF sheet, at best, move away, and at worst, it can be damaged. Due to the fact that the wall may be damp, it is necessary to lay a waterproofing layer. As a result, mold and fungus will not form in the niche. Additionally, you can lay a heat-insulating layer to increase the energy efficiency of the room. Usually mineral wool mats or polystyrene are laid.

If the main walls are initially even, then you can refuse to install the crate by choosing to mount on an adhesive base. The value of deviations from evenness should be no more than 3 mm/m2. In addition, with this installation method, it will not be possible to install a heat-insulating layer.

In the case of fixing MDF to a metal profile with your own hands, you will need to purchase additional special fasteners. They are specially shaped end caps and connectors that quickly and securely snap into place, resulting in panels being securely fastened.

We calculate the amount of materials

The first step is to measure the length and width of the walls using a tape measure. It is worth doing this for each of them, as they may vary slightly in size. After that, you need to calculate the number of rails for the crate. Draw a sketch on paper to scale, and then evenly place the slats in a horizontal or vertical position. At the same time, the distance between them is kept the same within 40-50 cm, taking into account the tight fit of the upper and lower slats to the floor and ceiling. The panels are mounted perpendicular to the rails.

The cross section of the wooden bars of the crate is selected taking into account the magnitude of the maximum irregularities of the wall, as well as the need to ensure sufficient structural strength. Therefore, in the case of wooden bars, the cross section must be at least 25x40 mm, and for a metal profile with a shelf width of 20 mm and a steel thickness of 2 mm.

The number of MDF panels is determined taking into account their size and the most successful location along the walls in order to reduce the amount of excess. However, do not forget about the observance of the pattern in the case of choosing panels with decorative trim. The stock by quantity of material must be at least 20% of the total quantity.

We carry out preparatory work

If construction or dismantling work was carried out before installing MDF panels, then it is necessary to remove dirt and wipe dust from the walls. If there are problem areas on the wall that peel off or crack, you need to determine how reliable they are and whether they will fall off during the installation of the crate. To do this, it is enough to tap them with a hammer.

Before attaching MDF wall panels to an adhesive base, it is necessary to determine the degree of deviation of the surface from ideally smooth. The simplest, but inaccurate method is to shine a flashlight from the corners of the wall and determine the places where shadows are created. Then, using a tape measure, you need to approximately measure their size. For deviations of more than 4 mm, you will have to perform partial alignment or install a crate. You will also need to brush abrasive material old finish.

After that, the surface of the walls is treated with antiseptic impregnations. During the time until they dry, it is necessary to determine the places for attaching the crate using a laser level, and apply the appropriate marks with a marker. In the absence of a laser level, a tape measure is used to measure distances, and with the help of a level, align them relative to the horizontal or vertical.

The wooden crate must be treated with impregnations against pests and fungi, and then painted. This will significantly extend its service life. It is not worth cutting them in advance, just like MDF panels, since it is rather difficult to determine their exact dimensions. The material should be prepared as the installation work progresses to minimize the amount of waste, and the connecting seams are obtained without visible gaps.

Lathing installation

Installation starts from the floor if the crate is horizontal or from the wall in case of a vertical arrangement. They take a guide, apply it to the surface of the wall, and then mark the most convex places (enough one on each side). These will be zero points. Then equidistant points are laid from them with a selected value from the interval of 40-50 cm. These will be places additional fasteners, in which with the help of a puncher you will have to drill holes for plugs or dowels. For these purposes, a fastener diameter of more than 4 mm and a length of 5 cm is sufficient. The dimensions of the holes must correspond to them.

Then a rail is applied and a tight fixation is performed at two selected points. At the same time, make sure that it is parallel to the wall, otherwise the panels will be skewed. Deviation is acceptable only if the walls in the room are not parallel and you need to align them, or there was a design idea to make them that way. Since the first guide sets the initial level, it must be installed slowly, clearly measuring the distances and setting the correct position.

The fastening of the bar at other points is carried out so that it retains its position, but at the same time is firmly fixed. That is, in places where the guide does not fit snugly against the wall, it is necessary to install wedges made of wood or rigid steel beacons with required dimensions. They can be made independently or purchased ready-made, and the dimensions can be adjusted during installation to the level of the gap from the walls.

The second is attached to the upper guide. For it, two conditions must be met: it must be parallel to the wall and the bottom bar, and also located in the same plane with the first guide. Therefore, they take a rail and fix it at a point on one side of the wall, but not tightly, but so that it is movable. Then a similar procedure is performed on the opposite side. Using a plumb line, they check the location of the guide in the same plane as the one already installed, and adjust their parallelism with a level. After alignment is completed, final fixing is carried out.

All remaining rails are attached in the same way according to the applied markings. You will not need to use careful level checks, since it is enough to attach a flat bar and check the location of the guide in the same plane with the rest. After completing work on one wall, proceed to the rest. In places where the lathing is adjacent to the window and doorways it is necessary to mount guides along their perimeter.

Cladding with MDF panels

First, the panel is cut to the height of the room. If you plan to install suspended ceilings, then the height should be 2-3 cm lower from the ceilings. In case of exceeding the dimensions of the wall, indent from the corners on both sides by 3 mm. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to fasten the panels to each other according to the principle of the spike entering the groove.

The lining process consists of the following steps:

1. A J-element is installed in the corner of the room, if one is provided by the MDF manufacturer.
2. They take the panel, put it close to the wall and snap it into the lock, and then screw it onto the screws in several places along the spike. If there is no connecting element, then a spike is cut off from the end of the panel so that it can be pressed close to the corner. With the help of self-tapping screws or special fasteners, they are fixed on self-tapping screws with a distance from the corner of 5-10 mm.
3. Finally secure the panel, making sure it is in the correct position.
4. They take the second panel, coat the groove with glue and put it on the already installed spike. A spike is screwed onto the screws. In the grooves, you can connect to the clamps, which are a steel bracket that allows you to securely fix one panel to another. There is no need to additionally screw, glue or nail the panels. decorative trim on adjacent panels should fit naturally.
5. Paneling the surface to the next corner of the wall. The panel that borders the wall must be cut at an angle of 450 in the end part from the side of the groove.
6. The next wall is laid out with a panel with a cut under 450, but already from the side of the spike.
7. The last panel needs to be rounded at the end so that it can be inserted into the groove that was installed in the first step. Additionally, the panel can be fixed with self-tapping screws along the connecting seam.

Alternative ways to fasten panels

1. On glue to the wall surface. The glue is applied to the entire surface of the wall in a wave-like manner so that the excess glue does not go outside the panel, but forms a uniform layer. Due to the elasticity of the adhesive bond, the panel does not detach from the wall during temperature changes.
2. On glue to the crate. It is used in cases where the panels have decorative coating. Glue is applied to the crate in an even layer. Due to the small contact area, the panels must be screwed on with self-tapping screws in the upper and lower parts.
3. Staple fastening construction stapler or nails to the crate. Fairly simple and reliable way, but has a significant drawback - the decorative coating is damaged. Due to the rigidity of the fasteners, there is resistance to thermal expansion of the panels. Therefore, it can only be implemented in cases where the same indoor climate is maintained throughout the year.

Conclusion

Do-it-yourself installation of an MDF panel is quite simple. To do this, it is enough to take measurements correctly, cut them to size and choose the appropriate method of fastening. At the same time, it is not necessary to prepare the wall surface, except for cases when it is planned to mount the panels on an adhesive base without a crate. The most important thing is not to rush when setting the position of the guides and the first panel. The result is a perfectly smooth and smooth surface walls without significant financial costs.

By far the simplest and fast way to make the walls of your home beautiful and even is the decoration with MDF panels. This solution is, of course, not suitable for all rooms, but for corridors, stairwells, closets and hallways, this material will be almost ideal. We will talk about it in this article, in which, together with the website, we will consider how the installation of MDF panels is carried out in a frame and frameless way with our own hands.

There are two ways to fix MDF panels on the walls - the so-called glue and frame. Both of these methods are good and are used depending on the circumstances. If the decoration of the walls with MDF panels provides for the hiding of any communications, then the frame method of fastening the MDF is used. When it comes to decoration smooth walls, then the adhesive 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 - for its implementation, you will need to build a frame, which in some way resembles the design that is used for. The difference lies only in the position of the carriers - if they are installed vertically to fasten drywall sheets, then MDF provides for a horizontal arrangement of profiles. In this regard, there are also features of the construction of such a frame.

In principle, at the first stage, everything happens in a similar way - the plane of the future frame is beaten off, 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, the vertical cd bearing profiles are installed not after 600mm, but after 3000mm, which is the standard length of the carrier profile.

Installation of MDF panels: frame method

This is done in order to subsequently install horizontal cd bearing profiles 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.

Mounting the frame is the main work in the process MDF installations panels. Mounting itself is an easier process that almost everyone can handle. MDF panels are attached to the frame using clamps (special clips). The clamper itself is inserted into the groove located at the end of the panel before being attached to the frame, thus ensuring their secure fixation to the frame. The kleimers are designed so that they do not interfere with inserting the next panel into the groove.

Do-it-yourself installation of mdf panels photo

Do-it-yourself installation of panels on glue: installation features

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

Installation of mdf wall panels photo

Before proceeding with the direct fastening of the panels, first we will deal with the glue that is used for these purposes. Or what kind of glue is not suitable 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 quench these very thermal expansions.
• Secondly, the adhesive used for MDF panels should help them to fasten even in places where the walls are slightly curved. That is, the texture of the glue should make it possible to spread it both with a thin layer and with a thick one - in a word, it should be thick enough. Under these requirements, the so-called "", which are successfully used to solve the question of how to mount MDF panels, are the best fit for almost all masters.

Liquid nails for mounting mdf panels photo

The installation of panels with glue itself looks quite simple - its technology is almost completely described on a tube with Liquid Nails glue. It is not recommended to break it. To begin with, the walls pasted over 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 your habit. Priming always, everything and everywhere.

Primer walls before mounting MDF panels photo

After the primer has dried, proceed to the direct gluing of the panels. In the meantime, it dries, you can do other preparations - for example, cut 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. After the adhesive has been applied, the panel is pressed against the wall, firmly tapped and torn off. This is required by the gluing technology - it is necessary 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 the installation of 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 weathered, it is allowed to smoke - after five minutes, the panels can be hooked onto the wall again and slammed down.

How to glue mdf panels on the wall photo

It is easy to glue the panels - it is much more difficult to cut them evenly and with high quality. In this regard, special attention must be paid to slopes and similar obstacles that get in the way of mounting MDF panels. It should be understood that the appearance of the room depends entirely on the even trimming of the panels.

Installing mdf panels on walls

Well, in conclusion, let's dwell on the main nuances of installation, which are typical for both methods of fastening MDF panels.

• First, there are the corners. It should be understood that bending MDF panels will not work, so they are simply cut as close to the corner as possible, after which the cut edges are safely covered with a special corner that can be used for both external and internal corners.
• Secondly, this is a frame - the lowest horizontal profile should lie on the floor. In this way you will ensure secure fastening skirting boards.
• Thirdly, in order to avoid distortion in the future, the first panel must be installed in accordance with the vertical level and firmly fixed with self-tapping screws in places where they will subsequently overlap (at the bottom with a plinth, at the top of the ceiling, in the corner with a decorative overlay). It is advisable to check the position of the panels with a level in the future - you should not control 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 not complicated and not simple, as, in general, any finishing work, in which your attitude to the little things plays an important role, which together affect the overall picture of the repair. Simply put, there are no trifles in this matter.

Today, one of the simplest and least time-consuming ways to create a beautiful and even wall cladding is the installation of MDF panels. This material has won favor due to its low cost and non-toxicity, as well as ease of attachment. All you need to do is be careful and precise.

Frame way of fastening panels

In practice, three methods are applied to the base: on wooden frame, a crate from a metal profile and on an adhesive composition.

Wall insulation

During wall cladding with panels, it will not be superfluous to additionally insulate them by filling the chambers of the crate heat-insulating material. In addition to insulation, protection is provided against the appearance of condensate in the space between the base and the casing.

AT summer time the influx of heat into the room will be significantly reduced, and in winter the heat loss will be correspondingly reduced, thereby allowing significant savings on payment for heat energy consumption.

Installation of a wooden crate

Frame assembly technology wooden slats easier than a metal crate. For its construction, a smaller number of fasteners are used, however, the crate requires special antiseptic treatment and the cost wooden planks higher than the cost of a metal profile.

The installation process of the frame consists of several stages:

1. Marking the place of fixation of the first plank of the crate. It should be perpendicular to the length of the fixed rails of the panels. That is, if the slats of the panels are mounted horizontally, then the laths of the lathing should be located vertically, and if the laths are mounted vertically, then the grating should be horizontal.
2. Fastening the starting parts of the lattice. A place is determined on the base with the largest protrusion; all other frame planks will be aligned with this beacon. The installation of the rails should begin with a row passing through the found protrusion on the base. Holes for self-tapping screws are drilled on the bar in increments of 50-60 cm. It should be noted that the more bumpy the wall, the smaller the step should be. A rail is applied exactly horizontally to the holes on the wall and the holes for the dowels are marked (it is advisable to use a level). Then the bar is removed from the wall and holes are drilled in the base using a puncher and plastic dowels are placed. The subsequent strips of the frame row are fixed in a similar way. To facilitate the alignment of the laths of the row, you can stretch a bright thread along the initial plank, the ends of which are fixed with dowels in opposite corners of the room.
3. Making subsequent rows of crates. The first plank of the next row should be in the same vertical plane as the plank of the previous row. To check, you can use the level applied to the slats of the near rows. If necessary, you can adjust the fastening of the bar by placing small wedges under it. Then the thread is pulled again, acting as a beacon. In this sequence, all rows of the crate are performed. The distance of the rails between adjacent rows should not be less than half a meter. Installation of horizontal strips is carried out in the same sequence, with a step of 40-60 cm, in this way the skin will not sag. For subsequent installation of ceiling and floor skirting boards rows of planks should be placed along the line of the ceiling and flooring of the room.
4. In all corners of the room, on each wall adjacent to one another, vertical strips are fixed at right angles.
5. Installation of wooden slats around the perimeter of openings for windows and doors.

Installation of a metal frame

For the installation of a metal crate, a metal profile and connecting fasteners are used. Fixing products to the base is carried out by means of self-tapping screws, their length depends on the strength of the base. For the frame, two types of metal profiles are used: narrow (UD) and wide (CD).

The metal frame is made in the same way as the wooden one: racks at the corners and openings, as well as crossbars.

The step of the frame is similar to the step of the wooden crate.

The technology for making a metal frame is as follows:

1. Installation of narrow profiles in the corners, around the perimeter of door and window openings, as well as every three meters. This length corresponds to the length of the support column. All intermediate components will be placed in these racks. Fixation should be carried out firmly in increments of 15-25 cm.
2. Horizontal racks are connected to a horizontal profile by means of longitudinal cd connectors.
3. The key profiles are placed with their ends on the edge into the guide profiles and reinforced with self-tapping screws for strength.
4. If the length of the base on which the sheathing will be attached is more than two meters, then in order to avoid deflection of the profiles from the load of its own weight, it is necessary to additionally fix the mounting brackets. The edges of the brackets are bent at a right angle and in this form are placed at the installation site of the profile. After fixing the profile in the guides, the brackets are fixed to it with bent parts, and their excess part is cut off. Before the final fixing of the horizontal racks, without fail, the level checks the horizontal. If there are any errors, then at this stage of installation they can be corrected.

Panel fixing

Installation of trim on the frame is much simpler than preliminary work. Panels can be installed from any corner of the room.

Fastening the MDF coating is carried out in the following order:

1. Marking and cutting the launch panel. Using a tape measure, measure the required length of the panel, marking the appropriate mark on it. Using an electric jigsaw, saw off the excess part and a spike that runs along the entire length of the panel.
2. Cutting holes in the casing for lighting fixtures.
3. Fixing the original panel. The canvas is applied to the place of attachment in such a way that its back side is adjacent to the crate closely. The side adjacent to the corner at a distance of 1 cm from its edge is fixed to all the frame slats with self-tapping screws. From the side of the groove, the panel is fixed with metal clips (clips) in such a way that its protrusion fits into the groove of the panel, firmly fixing it. Clips are attached to the frame slats with nails.
4. Installation of subsequent paintings. The required length of the cover is cut off, then its spike is placed in the groove of the previous panel and fastened to the frame with clips. All subsequent panels installed to the opposite corner of the wall are attached in the same way. Often, the last canvas does not fit completely, so it is adjusted to the right sizes. Only the segment that is on the side of the spike is needed, so the segment of the web with the groove is cut off. Next, the spike is inserted into the groove of the previous panel, and the part of the panel that abuts against the frame of the adjoining wall is fixed with nails to the battens. In this sequence, all the walls of the room are finished with canvases.
5. Installation of ceiling and floor plinths. Skirting boards can be fixed in several ways: with fasteners, with self-tapping screws and with glue.
6. The final step in the installation of panels is the installation of a finishing corner that covers all corner connections coatings. To do this, a thin layer is applied to the measured length of the corner. adhesive mixture, applied to the corner of the walls and gently but firmly press it. To evenly distribute the glue, using a rag, you can walk along the length of the corner several times in the direction from the bottom up and back.

Glue installation

This method of fastening is suitable when the surface of the walls does not have irregularities or the task is to carefully level them. Also, the installation of panels on glue is necessary when the surface of the walls is tiled.

Installation in this way does not require the arrangement of any frame.

First of all, let's decide on the type of glue that is suitable for this type of work. Any glue in this case will not work, you need a composition that has certain properties:

• plasticity not only during operation, but also after solidification (the composition must withstand temperature fluctuations);
• thick texture so that it can be applied not only in a thin, but also in a thick layer (in this case, building glue is perfect - liquid nails).

The installation technology includes several stages:

1. Cleaning the surface of the base from the old coating, dust, dirt and deposits, followed by processing the primer mixture.
2. While the primer layer dries, you can cut the panels of the required size.
3. After the soil has dried, you can begin to install the panels. To do this, glue is applied dotted in a checkerboard pattern with large drops of glue. Then the canvas is pressed tightly against the wall, after which it is torn off, this is done in order to weather the glue, and also so that the skin does not lag behind the base under the weight of its weight. After 5-7 minutes, the canvases are applied to the wall and pressed tightly.

This installation method has several disadvantages:

• from the impact of temperature changes during the change of seasons, the lining may swell, in the worst case, peel off;
• when changing the finish, it will be necessary to clean the base from adhesive residues, as well as the inability to reuse the dismantled panels.

1. If the room in which MDF is planned to be finished has traces of dampness, swelling or peeling of the putty, before facing, it is imperative to remove the old coating to the solid foundation.
2. The lowest horizontal rack of the crate should be located on the floor, this will ensure a solid fastening of the skirting boards.
3. Experts recommend attaching the coating to the frame, even though the profile reduces the space of the room. This is due to the fact that the cladding has additional ventilation and is less susceptible to seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity compared to the adhesive method.
4. During the installation of the crate, two types of materials can be used, having built the base around the perimeter from a metal profile, and the transverse elements from wooden slats.
5. Wooden slats for the frame should be well dried and even.
6. Due to the fact that MDF is a highly flammable material, care should be taken that all external electrical wiring is tucked into a corrugated cable pipe, and sockets and electrical switches are in boxes.
7. MDF lining is, in fact, thick pressed cardboard, and, accordingly, is susceptible to moisture. Therefore, prolonged exposure to moisture on the surface will lead to delamination and swelling of the coating.
8. Professionals advise in the process of installing the crate to transfer to paper the location of the planks on the base with exact observance of the coordinates. This will make it possible in the future to place any interior items on the wall exactly at the place where the rails are attached, and not on the skin, on the surface of which it is strictly forbidden to mount anything.