Advice for attaching frame to MDF

[Scott Huff]

Hi all,
I'm making a project that has a 58" x 14" framed mirror on one side and a framed cork board on the other side. Because I want the inside of the frames to be flat and smooth (and be thick enough to allow dadoes for shelves), I plan to attach the frames to 1/2" MDF. My question is, can I get away with gluing the frame to the MDF or do I need to screw it? I really want to glue it so the inside will be totally smooth, but I'm not sure if frame movement will be a problem or not. The frames are 2 1/4" wide, 3/4" thick. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Jamie Buxton]

Yes, standard wood glues stick to MDF. MDF itself is somewhat fragile compared to solid wood, so a glue line can rip the surface off the MDF under high stress. But for mirrors and cork boards and such, that's not an issue.

[Scott Huff]

Hi Jamie,
Are you saying that I should expect little to no movement of the wood, given it's only 2 1/4" wide, therefore, if there is any expansion, it shouldn't be enough to tear the glued surface?