Choosing between wood, MDF, and PVC for trim? Here’s what I learned

Honestly, I tried MDF in my hallway thinking it’d save me some hassle, but one scuffed corner and it looked rough. Prepping real wood was a pain, but the finish is worth it—especially in older places. PVC just never looked right to me, too shiny or something.

I get what you mean about PVC—no matter what they claim, it just always looks a bit too much like plastic. I’m curious, did you look at reclaimed wood at all? It’s a hassle to prep, but sometimes the character is worth it, especially if you’re after something eco-friendly. I’ve had luck sealing up old pine for trim, though it takes some patience. How did you deal with the dust from sanding MDF? That stuff gets everywhere...

I’ve wrestled with that same dilemma—PVC just never quite has the warmth, no matter how good the finish is. I did a hallway project last year and ended up using old fir trim I salvaged from a neighbor’s renovation. Took ages to pull all the nails and plane it down, but you can’t fake that kind of patina. There’s something about the little dents and weird grain patterns that just feels right in an older house.

MDF, though... yeah, sanding it is a nightmare. The dust is so fine, it gets into everything. I tried taping off doorways and running a box fan out the window, but still found powdery residue weeks later behind bookshelves. Honestly, if you can stand the extra work, reclaimed wood has been worth it for me—especially since I’m trying to keep things period-appropriate. The prep’s a pain, but once you put the first coat of shellac on, you remember why you bothered.

Hang in there—it’s definitely a process, but there’s something satisfying about seeing those old boards come back to life.

- Totally get what you mean about PVC—just doesn’t have that “real wood” vibe, no matter how much you try.
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“The prep’s a pain, but once you put the first coat of shellac on, you remember why you bothered.”