This page concentrates on the main materials used for a fitted wardrobe, the carcass, the doors and the hardware and explores what is really in a finish and why it matters.
Carcass Material: MFC or MDF
Most fitted wardrobes are made from Melamine-faced Chipboard (MFC) or Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF). While MFC is lighter and less expensive than MDF, thinner boards of around 16mm or less may sag under the weight of items such as jumpers and shoes over time. MDF is denser than MFC and MDF is ideal for fitting hanging rails and heavy shelves as it holds screws securely to the board. Ask for the thickness of the board in the carcass when obtaining a quote as 18mm boards will last longer than 12mm boards in very busy wardrobes.
Door Finish Options
The finish of the doors can also be worth considering. Most fitted wardrobes come with either woodgrain foil, laminate, painted MDF or real wood veneer finishes. Of these, the best options are probably foil or laminate as they are hard wearing, clean easily and are suitable for children’s bedrooms and homes with lots of pets. The foil finish does have a tendency to peel at the edges after many years but this can be a problem with some cheaper wraps.
Matt or Gloss
A Matt finish will provide good resistance to fingerprints and marks, ideal for children’s bedrooms and busy homes. High gloss acrylic or lacquer finishes provide a very high quality appearance and reflect light in low lit rooms. However marks and fingerprints will show up easily and require regular cleaning with a non-abrasive surface cleaner. Often within a couple of years scratches and marks will show up on the surface and dull the appearance.
Glass and Mirrored Fronts
A fitted wardrobe with a mirrored or glass front can add lots of light to a small room or a room with a north aspect. However, be sure to check that any glass used is safety backed, such as being laminated or toughened, to avoid it breaking up into sharp edges if it is knocked or cracks. This is particularly important for full height mirrored wardrobes in children’s bedrooms. See also Fitted Wardrobes Poole Dorset.
Hardware That Affects Lifespan
From a hidden perspective, ABS edging along exposed raw edges of the board is a vital component which protects from moisture penetration and other knocks and scuffs that can cause chipping and splitting of the raw material within a few years. Also the hidden soft-close hinges and quality sliding runners are far better in the long run than cheap alternatives that can stick, drop or even fall off when loaded with clothes, whilst quality ones can last for over 15 years.
Colour Choices for Local Homes
A fitted wardrobe in a Dorset coastal home with light cool toned décor will typically look best with a soft neutral colour palette or a natural woodgrain finish. The new wardrobes will also look to blend in with the exterior style of a home and so in a location like Poole with a mix of Victorian, 1930s houses and more modern properties the soft greys, warm whites and oak effect finishes will generally date less than a brightly coloured finish or very shiny surface.
Sustainability and Material Markers
If you care about timber sourcing it is worth asking if the timber used in the board is FSC certified (Formally managed forests). Also look at the formaldehyde emission of the board material. Most modern board products are categorised in terms of their formaldehyde emission (Furry etc) but in general lower emission boards are better (E1 or better).
Moisture-Tolerant Boards for Damp Rooms
Depending on the location of your new fitted wardrobe it may be exposed to higher humidity. The best material for humid environments is a Moisture Resistant (MR) MDF or MFC board which will not swell or suffer from delamination within a couple of years as ordinary board would. You should also investigate whether any structural work required for a loft wardrobe affects whether planning permission is needed for home alterations. In general a quality fitted wardrobe is made to the relevant British Standards for furniture and other timber products. Furthermore the carpenter or installer should work safely in accordance with the recognised safety guidelines for a particular country for his or her trade.
It is worth asking for the type of board, the type of edging used and the type of fittings that will be used in your wardrobes before you place your order. This will help to avoid any potential problems further down the line.
