Kitchen cabinets may be constructed from a variety of materials. Solid wood is never used for the entire cabinet. Not only would it be too costly, the cabinets would also be unstable and heavy. Many cabinets are built of a combination of solid wood and wood-based products such as plywood and particleboard. Mid and high-quality cabinets will use solid hardwood for face frames, door frames and stained raised door panels.

Kitchen cabinet boxes are typically built of plywood or particleboard. The strongest cabinets have full plywood boxes. Plywood will handle the weight of the heaviest countertop material and resist damage from occasional moisture. A less expensive alternative is particleboard. Particleboard is prone to damage from water and may break down at points where doors are hinged and sides connect.

There are many names for particleboard, including medium-density fiberboard (MDF), engineered wood, hardboard, substrate and furniture board. Unless exposed to moisture, particleboard resists expansion and contraction in warm and cold temperatures. On the downside, the particleboard is much heavier than plywood and doesn’t have the same per-square-foot strength. Particleboard is more susceptible than plywood to damage caused by moisture or by being crushed.

There are many grades of plywood and particleboard. A cabinet manufacturer that, like Ready to Assemble Cabinet, offers a limited lifetime warranty, will generally select higher grade materials to avoid damage and quality problems.

Solid Hardwood

Plywood