The Cabinet Box:
More Than Meets the Eye
Let’s start by diving into how the cabinet box is constructed. You know, the part that you never see once it’s installed, but it’s crucial to the cabinet’s strength and longevity.
Believe it or not, a kitchen cabinet is essentially just a box. Stack a few of these boxes together, and voilà, you’ve got a kitchen. It sounds simple, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
This isn’t a flimsy cardboard box—it has to be strong enough to hold your heavy pots, pans, and kitchen appliances. Plus, it needs to support the weight of a hefty countertop, especially if you’re going for materials like granite or quartz. And here’s the kicker: It also has to withstand moisture. Let’s face it—kitchens and water go hand-in-hand, whether it’s from a leaky sink, a spill under the sink, or even your cat knocking over a glass of water. Your cabinets need to handle all of that.
Let’s Talk About Box Materials
So, what makes up this sturdy box? It’s all about the sheet materials we use. And no, we’re not talking about the stuff you find at the local hardware store. Many of those materials are meant for construction and to be covered up—not built to last for decades. Even what’s marketed as “furniture-grade plywood” isn’t designed to handle the demands of a busy kitchen.
Sheet materials have two main components:
-
The Core – The internal structure that gives the cabinet its strength.
-
The Veneer – The outer surface that gives it a polished, finished look.
THE CORE:
The Strength Inside
1-MDF and HDF
MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) / HDF (High-Density Fiberboard):
These materials are essentially compressed wood fibers (sawdust) mixed with glue and resin. While they’re stable in a dry environment, they have one major weakness—They don’t handle water well. If they get wet, they swell up and fall apart, kind of like a soggy biscuit. That’s why we don’t use MDF or HDF in our cabinet construction.
Why We Don’t Do MDF in Our Cabinets
Here’s the thing about MDF: It's glorified cardboard. When dry it looks great and solid until water enters the chat. It swells and loses all structural integrity, basically crumbling apart.
Take these two pieces from the same ¼" MDF sheet. One is dry and looking sharp, and the other one? Well, it had a run-in with water. The piece that got wet doubled in thickness and swelled up.
Long story short, we stick with materials that can take a splash without losing their shape!
2-Particle Board
Particle board is made from wood chips and resin, making it an affordable option that doesn’t warp easily. However, it’s not very strong and, much like MDF, it can break down when exposed to moisture. While particle board offers slightly better structural strength than MDF, making it more effective at holding screws and fasteners, it’s still not suitable for high-moisture environments like kitchens or bathrooms. That’s why we recommend particle board for closets or areas where it won’t encounter moisture, but not for kitchen or bathroom cabinets.
3-Plywood:
Now we’re talking! Plywood is the top choice for cabinet construction, and for good reason. It’s made by layering thin sheets of wood (veneers) and cross-laminating them. Meaning the grain of each layer runs in a different direction. This crisscross pattern gives plywood its super strength and helps prevent warping or shrinking, even in the toughest kitchen environments. We stick with ¾ inch plywood for our cabinet boxes because anything thinner? Well, it just wouldn’t cut it.
It’s strong, durable, and the best option for making cabinets that last.
THE VENEER:
The Pretty Part. The Strength Inside
Now, let’s talk about the surface, or veneer. This is what you actually see when you open the cabinet doors.
1. Hardwood Veneer:
These are thin slices of real hardwood applied to the surface. It gives a classic and beautiful wood grain finish, but it requires some work. You’ll need to sand, stain, and seal it, just like any piece of hardwood furniture.
2.Melamine Veneer:
Melamine veneer is a man-made material known for its durability and water resistance. It doesn’t need sanding or sealing, and it’s resistant to stains and chemicals, making it perfect for the interior of kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
While melamine is commonly available in white, it comes in many other colors and even wood-textured finishes.
Wood Veneer
So to get the best out cabinet box construction here is what we use:
3/4” plywood core with hardwood maple veneer for most cabinets. For white or light color cabinets we use the same plywood and melamine veneer. It’s a product called "Cabinet Liners." Just want to make something very clear this cabinet liner is much superior product to the cheap stuff at the big box store. Big box store stuff is melamine mounted on particle board. Our melamine is mounted on plywood, so it’s sturdy and beautiful.