If you’re still specifying MDF, you need to watch this.

We scratched the most common fit-out materials with a fork.

Here’s what we tested:

Poplar plywood

Laminated European birch ply

Chip particle board

MDF particle board

Forest Cleanstone

Clear Cleanstone

Marble Cleanstone

No coatings. No sealants. Just raw surface vs. fork pressure.

Here's what we found:

1. Lighter colours hide damage better.

2. Melamine-coated MDF holds up surprisingly well, but as soon as the layer is gone and it discolours, the entire panels needs replacing.

3. Some surfaces disguise scratches, others reveal them clearly.

4. Cleanstone, made from 100% soft plastics scratched the same as exposed timber, and lighter colours hid the scratches. But because it's solid all the way through, it can easily be resurface with a sander every 5-10 years.

This isn’t about saying one material is “better.” It’s about showing what real-life wear actually looks like.

Because you won’t always have control over who’s dragging what across your counters, tables or walls.

So, if you're an architect or designer trying to reduce waste and spec smarter — this series is for you.

Follow me to see what instruments of destruction I use next.

We’ll keep testing real tools. Real pressure. Real materials.

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