While it’s hard to match the natural beauty of solid wood, it’s an undeniably pricey option. Fortunately, for many projects, the two main substitutes are medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and plywood which were less expensive, yet perform just as well or better than solid wood for a wide range of projects, including furniture, cabinets, shelves, etc. Still, choosing the right material MDF or plywood for your project can be a puzzle.

On the surface, both MDF and plywood contain real wood but are highly engineered into their finished forms. MDF starts off with hardwood and softwood fibers, which are glued together with various resins, and then subjected to high heat and pressure to form panels. Plywood undergoes a similar process, but instead of wood fibers, starts off with very thin layers of wood from peeler logs. At a big-box home improvement store, you’ll find both in sheet forms of different thicknesses and grades.

Since plywood is made with wood strips, its surfaces take on the solid-wood appearance better than MDF. Higher grades of plywood are smooth and quite attractive, with plenty of grain, yet none of the knotholes that can mar solid wood. MDF, in contrast, has no grain, isn’t as smooth as plywood, and looks like what it is: pressed wood fibers.

MDF weighs more than plywood. This can be a major issue if you’ll need to lift, hold, or clamp panels in place or construct something that requires an overhead reach, such as elevated shelves.

When it comes to strength, plywood is the winner. As MDF is a softer material than plywood and it tends to sag or split under pressure. Plywood also has had more flex than MDF, so you can gently bend it to create curves.

Plywood and MDF are useful materials for many DIY projects around the home. However, MDF is the better choice for indoor furniture or decorative use, especially if you want to cut intricately carved trim or designs, and plan on painting the finished project. Plywood is excellent for outdoor use, for framing walls or building floors, for crafting kitchen or bathroom cabinets, and for projects that require a curve.