Curious if anyone’s had issues with MDF swelling in humid spots? I’ve had some trouble near the bathroom, even with primer.
Yeah, MDF and moisture just don’t mix well, no matter how careful you are with primer. I’ve seen it puff up around shower trims even with two coats. Ever tried using finger-jointed pine in those spots? It’s not as cheap as MDF but holds up better than you’d think. PVC’s great for bathrooms, but I get what you mean about the look—sometimes it just feels a bit too plasticky. Wonder if anyone’s found a good way to make PVC blend in better with wood trim...
I totally get the struggle with MDF in damp spots. I tried using it for baseboards in our laundry nook, thinking a heavy-duty primer would do the trick, but nope—edges still swelled up after a year or so. Ended up swapping those out for pine, and while it cost a bit more, at least I’m not patching and repainting every few months.
PVC trim is funny... I used it around our tub and honestly, after a few coats of semi-gloss paint and some careful caulking, it’s not too bad. Still, you can tell if you look close. I’ve heard some folks sand the surface lightly before painting to knock down that plasticky sheen—never tried it myself though.
Has anyone experimented with mixing materials in one room? Like, wood on the main walls and PVC just where water hits? Wondering if that looks weird or if you can pull it off without it being obvious.
Mixing materials in the same room isn’t as weird as it sounds, honestly. In my old place (built in the 1920s), I had to get creative in the bathroom because nothing was square and moisture was always an issue. Ended up using wood trim everywhere except right around the shower, where I put in PVC. If you’re careful with paint and caulk, and keep the profiles similar, most folks won’t notice unless they’re really looking for it.
That said, I do think there’s a subtle difference in how light hits PVC versus wood—PVC always has that slightly different sheen, even after sanding and painting. It doesn’t bother me much, but if you’re picky about finishes, it might. For me, not having to deal with swollen MDF or rotting wood near water is worth the trade-off.
Funny thing, I’ve found pine holds up better than MDF even in spots that get a bit damp, as long as you seal it well. MDF just seems to suck up moisture no matter what you do. Learned that lesson the hard way...
PVC around the shower just makes sense—wood or MDF there is asking for trouble. I’ve tried sealing MDF to death and it still swelled up eventually. Pine’s decent if you’re diligent with primer, but yeah, nothing beats PVC for wet spots. The sheen difference bugs me a little, but not enough to go back to replacing soggy trim every couple years.
I get the appeal of PVC for durability, but I keep wondering about the environmental side. Has anyone tried any recycled-content trim or maybe bamboo in wet areas? I’m always torn between longevity and sustainability... Curious if there’s a middle ground that actually holds up.