Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made from wood fibers combined with resin under high pressure and temperature. The process produces a dense, strong and homogeneous material that is a cost-effective alternative to solid wood and offers good stability and durability. MDF coffee tables are available in a variety of finishes or paints to mimic the look of solid wood.

Plywood is a composite material made from thin layers of wood veneers, or "plies," bonded to adjacent layers. Compared with MDF materials, the structure of plywood is more stable and not easy to deform. It is also corrosion-resistant, durable and has a strong load-bearing capacity.