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Alternatives To Wooden Baseboards In Your Home
By RACHEL ANN MELEGRITO
Wooden baseboards remain a top choice for many homeowners, but MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) are notable alternatives worth considering.
MDF is cheaper than wood, making it appealing for large installation projects. Since it's engineered wood, it's softer, so it cuts more easily, and it’s crack and split resistant.
It’s the ideal material if you're going the DIY route and need to do a lot of shaping and cutting. MDF can't be stained, but they're always pre-primed and ready to paint.
The main drawbacks of MDF are their susceptibility to moisture and lower durability, making them unsuitable for high-moisture environments or high-traffic and high-impact areas.
PVC baseboards are also slowly gaining acceptance for interior use. Unlike MDF and wood, PVC is waterproof, so it won't absorb moisture from the air or ground.
This means you don't have to worry about expansion and shrinkage cycles, making it ideal for use in areas with high moisture like laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
PVC trims are typically manufactured in a crisp, white color and remain so through the years so you don't have to repaint your baseboards. Plus, they’re pest resistant.
The biggest downside to PVC is its cost — it’s also less durable and can easily be dented or damaged. Lastly, the vinyl spackle used to cover nail holes turns yellow over time.