Does MDF expand with the cold?

**Molly** · 1st December 2009, 19:31

Lined my new garage (studs 100cm apart) with 8mm MDF last week when it was stinking hot. Went out tonight and noticed some of the sheets are bowing out. Is this just down to the cold or am I going to have to take the bloody lot off and put in extra dwangs?

Arse.

**T.W.R** · 1st December 2009, 19:32

Originally Posted by Molly

Lined my new garage (studs 100cm apart) with 8mm MDF last week when it was stinking hot. Went out tonight and noticed some of the sheets are bowing out. Is this just down to the cold or am I going to have to take the bloody lot off and put in extra dwangs?

Arse.

any moisture & swells like a bastard

**roadracingoldfart** · 1st December 2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by Molly

Lined my new garage (studs 100cm apart) with 8mm MDF last week when it was stinking hot. Went out tonight and noticed some of the sheets are bowing out. Is this just down to the cold or am I going to have to take the bloody lot off and put in extra dwangs?

Arse.

I would guess you have it nailed to the inside with no damp proofing at all and the moisture is doing what it does best to MDF. Extra deangs will not help , you have to stop the moisties.

Paul.

**vifferman** · 1st December 2009, 19:41

Yup.
MDF's basically compressed paper, and sucks up moisture ferociously. It's not the best for lining gargres with, especially if not waterproofed.

**hayd3n** · 1st December 2009, 19:44

needed to seal tha mdf first its great stuff until it gets damp

**p.dath** · 1st December 2009, 20:05

Time to get the dehumifier out to get the MDF back in shape ...

**sil3nt** · 1st December 2009, 20:07

I think moisture ruins MDF. Not 100% though.

**2wheeldrifter** · 1st December 2009, 20:28

Originally Posted by T.W.R

any moisture & swells like a bastard

Get the misses excited.. samething happens to me

**T.W.R** · 1st December 2009, 21:29

Originally Posted by 2wheeldrifter

Get the misses excited.. samething happens to me

usually get the same issue here too..... moist missus & swelling sets in

**Sam I Am** · 1st December 2009, 23:32

Yup its moisture,
Just a idear....I have used hardboard as floor liner and we use to damp it down both sides let it swell for a while and then nail it down (still damp) and it would srink in place nice and tight..... never tryed it on a wall, but it would make MDF a little furry i guess...

**2wheeldrifter** · 2nd December 2009, 05:28

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

Just a idear....nail it ,nice and tight.....? little furry i guess...

Huh She told me I was the only one...

wait till I get home!

**Molly** · 2nd December 2009, 06:20

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to re-think this then. Will take it off, lay it flat with a weight on it (upturned bike lift springs to mind) and leave it a while whilst I put building paper agains the walls. I'll seal the MDF and put it back up.

What a ball-ache. Would've been better to just buy plywood.

Thanks again.

**2wheeldrifter** · 2nd December 2009, 06:27

Yes plywood would of been better suited for sure.

Paint it and make shelves out of it... put ply on the walls.

Easy to say when it's your time and money !