I actually tried MDF for all the baseboards in my first place, thinking I’d save a few bucks. Big mistake. Even the corners in my closet chipped just from moving a laundry basket around. Ended up replacing half of it with pine after a year. I get why people use it, but for me, the hassle wasn’t worth the savings. PVC feels weird, but I agree—it’s unbeatable in bathrooms. Real wood’s just less stressful long-term.
I hear you on the MDF—used it in my 1920s place for some quick repairs, and it just didn’t hold up to daily life. Even a vacuum bumping into the trim left dents. Tried patching spots, but it always looked off next to the original fir. Ended up hunting down matching wood, which took forever but was worth it. There’s something about real wood that just feels right in an old house, even if it costs more upfront. PVC’s fine for wet spots, but I can’t get past how plasticky it looks in the main rooms... maybe I’m just too picky.
Totally get where you’re coming from on the MDF. I’ve tried it for baseboards in a couple flips, and it’s like the stuff just attracts dings and chips. Looks great for about five minutes, then life happens. Real wood’s a pain to source sometimes, but it just has that weight and feel—especially in older homes. I’ll admit, I’ve used PVC in bathrooms and laundry rooms, but yeah, it never quite blends in with the rest of the house. Maybe we’re both picky, but I think that’s what keeps these old places looking right.
Honestly, I get the appeal of real wood, but I just can’t justify the cost for every room. I’ve had decent luck with pre-primed MDF if you seal the ends and use a good enamel paint—less chipping than I expected. Maybe it’s just luck, or my kids are less wild? PVC still feels weird in living spaces though, I’ll give you that.
Totally get you on the PVC—it just feels off in a living room, almost like it belongs in a bathroom or basement. I went the MDF route too for most of my house, mainly because I’m always juggling projects and costs. As long as you seal those ends (learned that the hard way with some swelling near the back door), it holds up better than I expected. My kids aren’t exactly gentle either… maybe we just got lucky with paint? Real wood looks amazing but man, those prices add up fast.