Decisions, decisions. Resin vs laser cut terrain

[Ethelred the Almost Ready]

In a fit of gaming enthusiasm I thought it was time I had more fantasy terrain. 
I am tossing up between:
MDF/laser cut - cheaper and looks like it will be more versatile:
https://ttcombat.com/collections/fantasy-realms/products/ancient-castle-town

or resin - which just looks so much better but postage is a killer:
https://www.gamemat.eu/en/terrain/pre-painted-resin-terrain/gothic-ruins-set.html

How good can MDF look?
Are there any tricks to getting it look like stonework rather than wood?

[von Lucky]

Textured spray paint maybe? I have only used MDF kits for timber houses or clean brick. I bit of that TT Combat will benefit from some extra TLC (e.g. sculpting/cutting out tiles for the roofs, etc), but if you've got the time/skill may be worth it.

[Will Bailie]

There are some options in plastic as well:

https://pegasushobbies.net/catalog/Gaming/c9/index.html

https://www.renedra.co.uk/productlist.php?category=3&sortby=sort&sortdir=asc&showall=1

Or you can check out Matakishi's tea house for ideas in making buildings from cork tiles and other materials.  Cork is easy to work with, and has a nice texture to it already:

https://www.matakishi.net/building-hyboria.html
https://www.matakishi.net/half-timbered-fantasy-buildings.html

[Stroezie]

Here's two youtube clips of people gussying up some mdf buildings.
They end up looking great, but it did take quite a bit of work imo.





Cheers,
Stroezie.

[has.been]

All good ideas. I would add scratch build. As has been said Matakishi's site shows how using
mainly cork tiles, but also consider 'blue foam'. It is light & very easy to detail, you can draw
bricks onto it using pen. It will sand easily, which is nice if you don't want your buildings to
have that 'Ironed corners' look that MDF often has. You can pick away at it with your finger
nails, for that 'crumbling edge' look to make your buildings look dilapidated. It will take filler,
so if you don't fancy drawing bricks all over it, simply draw a few 'patches' of bricks & 'plaster
the rest. Windows & doors can quickly be done by embossing (push into the foam) with...
just about anything,  point of your pliers, screwdriver(s), matchsticks etc.
Matchsticks also good for those half timbered buildings. Roof tiles? Cerial packets & a cheap
set of childrens' craft scissors, the ones with the different cutting edges. I use mine for that,
and there is a more industrial looking edged one that works fine for Sci-Fi doors.

[OSHIROmodels]

Resin.

[Gabbi]

I love MDF kits. They're cheap and with some extra work they can look pretty good.

Here's how I have assembled one, showing a few small improvements I've done.
https://gabbigames.wordpress.com/2016/12/30/iceheim-large-centre-ruin/