When buying furniture, one of the most important decisions is whether to choose solid timber or MDF (medium-density fibreboard). Both are common in the market, but they offer very different lifespans and impacts.

MDF is made by compressing wood fibres with glues and resins. It’s cheaper to produce and can be finished to look smooth, but it is vulnerable to swelling, damage from moisture, and can’t easily be repaired. Once damaged, MDF furniture is usually thrown away.

Solid timber, on the other hand, is durable and repairable. A well-made piece of solid timber furniture can last generations. It can be resurfaced, refinished, and repaired many times throughout its life. This longevity makes it a far more sustainable choice, reducing waste and the need for replacement.

At Innate Furniture, we use solid New Zealand timbers such as West Coast beech, Northland tōtara, and recycled rimu. Combined with natural oils, our furniture is designed to last — not just for years, but for decades. Customers buying solid timber are investing in a piece that becomes part of their home’s story, rather than a disposable item.

So, which lasts longer: solid timber or MDF? The answer is clear — solid timber, every time.