There is a lot of discussion about what type of material is better for dolls houses or other scale buildings, should you use MDF (medium density fiberboard) or Birch Plywood? What are the differences for dolls house or miniature scale buildings?
Medium Density Fiberboard - MDF
MDF is Medium Density fiberboard (not particleboard). It is a durable wood product with an even density throughout. This makes it easy to cut precise edges and shapes. On a dolls house this allows detail like a pre cut exterior siding finish which requires no cutting and gluing of additional pieces of wood siding. MDF requires power tools to cut well, it creates very fine dust. It is very resistant to water penetration, although it will dent and split more readily than plywood. MDF is usually found at thicknesses of 1/4 inch up. 3/8 in. MDF is the most common thickness for dolls houses and similar structures.
Baltic Birch Plywood
Baltic Birch Plywood is a plywood with a very fine wood grain available in several different ply numbers and thicknesses. The more plys (layers) there are, the more stable the board is. Baltic Birch plywood has a finer grain than does most other plywood. Its method of construction means there are no holes or voids in between the layers. It can be found in thicknesses from 1/8 inch up. Baltic Birch plywood does have a wood grain, but it is a very fine and flat surface which takes paint well. Baltic Birch Plywood can be used at a thickness of 1/4 inch to construct dolls houses and other miniature buildings.
Pros and Cons to Using MDF for Dollhouses and Other Miniature Structures
MDF has a very even surface. Unfortunately it does dent and chip. It is also much heavier than a similar thickness of plywood. Large doll houses or other structures made of mdf will be very heavy. MDF does not take nails or screws easily. Joins are best glued and dowelled. MDF is very hard to attach brads to, so electrical systems which use brads and pins may be difficult to attach. MDF can be milled, so doll houses with exterior trims such as siding, may have this texture milled into the mdf, making initial finishing much simpler but future exterior changes or additions will be difficult or impossible.
Pros and Cons to Using Baltic Birch Plywood for Dolls Houses & Other Structures
Baltic Birch Plywood is considerably lighter than MDF of a similar size. It is stronger for it's thickness than MDF. Plywood easily accepts screws, nails and brads. Using electrical tapewire systems in plywood structures is easier than in those made of MDF. To construct dolls houses which need a finished interior, you need plywood which is good on both sides, or you must cover the worst side with siding or some other finish.
