"The internet research says MDF is good for 5-7 years and can’t be repaired if scratched."

Internet says a lot of things, for example health issues. You have a cold and you look deep enough and you're dying. Absolutely nothing wrong with MDF cabinet doors and none of what you read is factual from a good quality manufacturer.

MDF is the only thing used in Europe, or the entire rest of the world, and I assure you that their cabinet doors last decades, and do not have a 5-7 year built in expiration dates unless someone is really abusing them. Americans have this ridiculous pro wood prejudice on board because few of them understand science and engineering, or basic furniture care. Don't be an ignorantugly American.

MDF is good. High-grade moisture-resistant MDF is superior and only what I ever use. The screw thing is just a myth. Screws are never used directly into any board product to secure hinges. There’s always some type of expandable dowel arrangement used.

Does anyone have practical long term experience with MDF?
Thanks

How does 60 year old Danish modern veneer over mdf furniture and a 40 year old laminate over MDF buffet work in your world view of a immediate disintegration of engineered products? Emphasis on engineered. Science. Its not a bad thing.

No need to be snarky!
We love Denmark (daughter went on exchange there and we hosted a Danish exchange student).
Sometimes items in the US are not the same quality. We are being careful which is why we asked!

Thanks Verbo

This may be a dumb question, but if doors are being painted white, why not just get laminate on MDF doors which resist staining, and in general are easier to maintain? This is of course assuming you plan to paint the doors white. Doors which are factory painted white are hard to distinguish from white laminate doors, as I see it.

The question, though poorly formulated, relates to using MDF for a five piece paneled door. There are no stress cracks associated with a slab door.. Using lower grade MDF and not sealed properly will have issues if water is allowed to sit on the inside lip and gets inside the frame.

I had MDF cabinetry in my last house (10 years) and have it in my current one (6.5 years). Both had slab doors so no moisture issues, but  I have never had any issue with hinges or anything else either. I live in Australia:  surely the US can produce cabinets of the same quality.

How do you repair MDF dings and abused edges and/or water damage?

We had laminate covered MDF slab doors for 14 years in one of our kitchens. They looked as good when they were removed as they did when they were installed. We have Brookhaven painted cabinets at the beach. They are 4 or 5 years old, doors are MDF and perfect. We are getting ready to install a kitchen in our new house and will be again using laminate covered MDF. I don't know who says they only last 5-7 years. Simply not true. As far as dings or abused edges, how does MDF differ from wood? You can touch up, refinish and paint either surface.

Laminate covered MDF is not an MDF door. It’s a ”laminate” door.