Black MDF In UK?

[Derek Arita]

Just wondering why MDF in UK is black? Is that what they have or is it a choice?

[Jamie Buxton]

I see web sites from retailers in the UK offering MDF that looks like US MDF: light brown.

[Derek Arita]

I see web sites from retailers in the UK offering MDF that looks like US MDF: light brown.

Reason I'm asking is I see YT vids with Festool type tables and they are black. I've seen other vids using off cuts of the black stuff.

[Patrick Varley]

Valchromat

https://www.atlanticplywood.com/brand/valchromat/

[Bob Falk]

I think it would be great if USA MDF manufacturers made colored MDF. It would brighten up the shop.

[andrew whicker]

This woman lives in Europe and uses a lot of colored sheet MDF.

Looks like cool stuff

https://instagram.com/gethandsdirty?igshid=Yzg5MTU1MDY=

[Ben Grefe]

I wonder if that stuff is available in the states? I've never seen colored MDF like that before (not that I've gone looking for it).

[Frederick Skelly]

I think it would be great if USA MDF manufacturers made colored MDF. It would brighten up the shop.

I saw that Pat Varley linked to something called "Valchromat" above. Here's a link to another product someone posted last week. COLORED MDF (https://trinityinnovations.net/product/colored-mdf-panels/). I havent tried either of these but they look interesting.

[andrew whicker]

It looks like there is all kinds of neat stuff out there.. but it also looks like it falls into the architecture category so you'll have to figure out the vendors / shipping etc. In situations like this in the past I've called the manufacturer (their websites never seem to be update enough to include all the distributors they use) and they help me find a distributor local to me. Then call that distributor and you can ask more specific questions like cost, availability, etc.


https://www.designhardware.com/colored-mdf

[Ola Carmonius]

We have different kinds of coloured mdf in europe, and I think these are available also in US.

The most basic one is named just coloured mdf and have pretty much the same properties as mdf.

Valchromat is more expensive and have better mechanical properties. It's more dense and can be used for 3d cnc patterns since the internal is not as porous as mdf. You can see cnc'd valchromat patterns here for example https://www.camcraftsa.com/pattern-boards/

It also withstands water better than mdf. Valcromat is a very good material for different shop things, for instance you can tap machine threads in it with very good results. My assembly/router table (pic attached) have a top in 22mm Valcromat and have survived very well daily use 5-6 years.

Then there are even more fancy ones like outdoor mdf but these are extremely expensive.

492252

[Patrick Varley]

I saw that Pat Varley linked to something called "Valchromat" above. Here's a link to another product someone posted last week. COLORED MDF (https://trinityinnovations.net/product/colored-mdf-panels/). I havent tried either of these but they look interesting.

Yeah, I went down this road before and tried to figure out if I could get some. It seems that Valchromat is potentially distributed in the US, but couldn't find specifically by whom. Another alternative seemed to be ForesColor, made (distributed by?) by InterLam. They're at least based out of NC, but couldn't find info on distribution. I got the feeling I could track some down if I wanted to make the phone calls, but for someone that only needed one sheet here or there, I suspect the price would be comically prohibitive. I'll just stick with laminate on MDF.

[Dave Sabo]

I think it would be great if USA MDF manufacturers made colored MDF. It would brighten up the shop.


It's already available. You just won't want to pay the cost - especially for "shop cabinets". Was several hundred$ a sheet last time I checked , and you had to take a whole skid for some colors.

[Dwayne Johre]

Try Interlam, D & M Lumber & Atlantic Plywood. Between the 3 they carry 2 brands. Valchromat & Forescolor. Both solid color MDF.

[John Pendery]

Dwayne is correct. Samples of ForesColor:


495681

[Derek Arita]

It seems to be pretty common in the Europe, so it must be comparable to the tan colored stuff we have. Seems lots of folks use black MDF for MFT tables. I've never seen it here.

[John Pendery]

I’ve never used Valchromat, but from what I understand what Ola said above is correct. Forescolor is a less expensive product that is colored with organic dyes and machines in a similar way to MDF. It’s a neat product, but I wouldn’t pay the premium for it for shop fixtures. It also comes in several different textures geared towards architectural wall panels, accents, modern cabinet doors/drawer fronts, etc… Even the more affordable Forescolor product is way more expensive than MDF

[Derek Cohen]

Does anyone else view black as a poor choice in colour for a bench top? Reduced light and poorer visibility. I’ve seen quite a bit of the black Valchromat on YouTube. It appears to be obligatory if you are a presenter. What a surprise.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[mike stenson]

Does anyone else view black as a poor choice in colour for a bench top? Reduced light and poorer visibility. I’ve seen quite a bit of the black Valchromat on YouTube. It appears to be obligatory if you are a presenter. What a surprise.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I agree, it would not be my first choice of a work surface.

From a photography stand point, however, it's amazing. At least if it's anything that may reflect in the shot.

[Dwayne Johre]

Try Interlam, D & M Lumber & Atlantic Plywood. Between the 3 they carry 2 brands. Valchromat & Forescolor. Both solid color MDF.

I had enter the above comment a few days ago. in addition to it for those of you south of the 49 parallell, as in the USA. Interlam is selling off their Valchromat "made in Portugal" & appears to be switching to Forescolor "made in South Korea". On their website there is an ONLINE STORE tab. It will redirect you to another site. There is a picture showing Valchromat. when you click on it they show the sizes , color & price. Not all sizes & colors are listed, but "DAMN", I sure wish I could get my hands on some. Up here @ Home Depot a 4 x 8 x 3/4" regular MDF is $90.00 Canadian. The Valchromat from the Online Store for same size is $41.28 US. Not sure where they stock it but they are in Mt. Airy NC. Good luck.

https://www.interlam-design.com/

[Ola Carmonius]

I've used black valchromat on my assembly table many years before starting my youtubechannel. I find it really pleasing and relaxing to the eyes and workpieces and their details are easily spotted and doesn't "drown" in the bench colour. Prefer the black assembly table over my beech workbench if only taking colour into account. Will choose black also next time.

[Dave Sabo]

Try Interlam, D & M Lumber & Atlantic Plywood. Between the 3 they carry 2 brands. Valchromat & Forescolor. Both solid color MDF.

I had enter the above comment a few days ago. in addition to it for those of you south of the 49 parallell, as in the USA. Interlam is selling off their Valchromat "made in Portugal" & appears to be switching to Forescolor "made in South Korea". On their website there is an ONLINE STORE tab. It will redirect you to another site. There is a picture showing Valchromat. when you click on it they show the sizes , color & price. Not all sizes & colors are listed, but "DAMN", I sure wish I could get my hands on some. Up here @ Home Depot a 4 x 8 x 3/4" regular MDF is $90.00 Canadian. The Valchromat from the Online Store for same size is $41.28 US. Not sure where they stock it but they are in Mt. Airy NC. Good luck.

https://www.interlam-design.com/


before anyone gets too excited , Interlam only has one choice of 3/4” material. It’s light brown / taupe and doesn’t look much different than reg mdf. It’s only at the Mt. Airy warehouse and while the price is great , the second you have to have it shipped the savings evaporate.

[andrew whicker]

https://store5327024.ecwid.com/Valchromat-c63352011

it's on sale (distributed from NC). I expect w/ LTL shipping to Utah I'm not going to get a good deal : )

But if you are near this place... $30 to $45/ 4x8 sheet is pretty good.

[Brian Deakin]

I live in the Uk (https://mail.aol.com/d/compose/1170297377#) and I have never seen black MDF

All of the timber merchants and stores similar to Home depot only sell an off brown col (https://mail.aol.com/d/compose/1170297377#)our MDF

So if it is available it is not wildly sold