A beautiful new cabinet can enhance the character of any room. If you are considering adding a new cabinet to your kitchen or bathroom, it’s important to take the time to decide what kind of material you will be using. Plywood and particle board are two of the most popular materials for cabinets. Before making your decision, consider these factors:
- Plywood is made from gluing sheets of wood together in alternating grain patterns, while particle board is a composite material made from wood fibers. This means that particle board, which can be made from almost any type of wood, is generally a less expensive option for cabinets than plywood.
- While both materials are durable, particle board is less prone to warping in response to heat and humidity. However, plywood can withstand prolonged exposure to moisture over time much better than particle board.
- Plywood is heavier and a more fundamentally stable material than particle board. It is much better able to hold glued joints and mechanical fasteners such as nails. This makes Plywood a more common choice of material for high-end cabinets.
- If you want your cabinet to have a smooth surface that you can have finished or painted, you should probably choose particle board. Since particle board is entirely manufactured, it can also be designed to fit your cabinet’s specifications more easily than plywood.
- Because it can be made from so many different wood sources—including leftover wood that would otherwise be disposed of—particle board is often considered a more environmentally friendly product. It’s important to note, however, that plywood can be considered eco-friendly in many ways, particularly since use of alternative wood sources such as bamboo has become more common.
Southwest Kitchen & Bath is a provider and installer of fine cabinetry serving Oro Valley and the greater Tucson community. When you are in need of a new or refaced cabinet, particularly for a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project, contact us at (520) 531-9187. To view some of our available products, visit us online.