[cabinetbuilding]

I'm building a floor to ceiling cabinet out of mdf - finished in gloss lacquer. (Built in cabinets)

For the boards that are against the walls (i.e. not visible)
- is it necessary to seal/ lacquer them?

I.e. For health reasons (mdf dust in air)?
Or board warping due to only 1 side being lacquered?
- a bit like veneers warping

(I'm not a carpenter/ joiner - so wondering what your best practice is)

 

[Steve Neul]

I'm building a floor to ceiling cabinet out of mdf - finished in gloss lacquer. (Built in cabinets)

For the boards that are against the walls (i.e. not visible)
- is it necessary to seal/ lacquer them?

I.e. For health reasons (mdf dust in air)?
Or board warping due to only 1 side being lacquered?
- a bit like veneers warping

(I'm not a carpenter/ joiner - so wondering what your best practice is)

Unless the environment where the cabinet is going is excessively humid there is no reason to finish the side of the cabinet going against the wall. It wouldn't warp, it would swell up perhaps causing too much wood movement and pulling the cabinet apart.

 

[cabinetbuilding]

The area is dry indoors so looks like I'll be leaving the uncoated side of the built in cabinet against the wall.

Thanks Steve.

 

[bzguy]

I wouldn't use MDF on any part that touches the floor.
Painted or not, when floor is washed it will absorb any water and swell up badly.