Plywood is stronger per pound of material than MDF, meaning manufacturers don't have to use as much material to achieve the same strength. As a result, plywood cabinets tend to be lighter than those made from MDF. In addition to weight, most plywood cabinet boxes require fewer anchor screws to hold them to the wall.
Plywood is generally thought to be the better product when building cabinets. Plywood has superior construction longevity because it holds screws and other mechanical fasteners more efficiently.
While solid wood makes the cabinets strong, sturdy and long-lasting, MDF offers a smooth finish. MDF withstands changes in heat and humidity better than solid wood. Solid wood expands and contracts both horizontally and vertically when temperatures and humidity rise and fall.
Disadvantages of Plywood
Plywood is more expensive that MDF; and the higher the grade, higher the price. Since plywood shows layers on the surface, it has to be finished well with timber or decorative mouldings. It is difficult to create designs using plywood since it is difficult to get perfectly smooth cuts on it.
On the whole, kitchen and bathroom cabinet boxes entirely constructed of plywood are sturdier, more durable, and hold veneer better than particle board cabinet boxes. If all other factors are equal, plywood cabinets are best.
Using MDF for your kitchen cabinets is a good idea
Using MDF for kitchen cabinets or kitchen cabinet doors combined with solid wood casings is a good idea. Not only is MDF an affordable option but it is durable and doesn't warp. It can be finished in a variety of ways from painting to staining and varnishing.
The surface is equal in hardness to oak and has similar density so they are durable as well. MDF takes paint better, and doesn't have the same seams as wood, will not crack and split the paint where would might.
In general, MDF is cheaper than plywood.
While the price depends on the thickness and grade of the material, in general, MDF costs less than plywood.
The builders of the DIY CNC routers overwhelmingly prefer MDF as the basis for these machines over plywood because they say that plywood is not as dimensionally stable as MDF.
Around the 5-7 year point, an MDF kitchen will exhibit significant age and wear signs. Although an MDF kitchen may be a less expensive option for a quick refresh, read on if you want something that will last!
Plywood doors are an affordable alternative to wood and fiberglass doors. With their considerable stability and impact resistance, they are your best choice for an internal or garage door. But most plywood doors tend to warp when exposed to moisture. Fortunately for you, preventing plywood doors from warping is simple.
The 5 best and most popular woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple. Pine, oak, and hickory are cheaper and easier to get. Cherry and maple look luxurious and cost more than the others. All 5 work well in the kitchen's hot and humid environment.
My answer, as a cabinet dealer, a professional carpenter, and a lobbyist for high quality woodworking, may surprise you. The answer, with one big giant asterisk for frameless cabinetry (which I will explain later), is no. Plywood cabinets are not worth the extra money in most situations.
Even though we know that plywood is a better material in the plywood vs. particle board match-up; I don't recommend upgrading all your cabinets to plywood. Upgrading at least your sink base to a plywood box construction is a great place to start.
Solid wood is considered to be stronger compared to plywood since it is a homogeneous material. It also depends on which wood we are talking about. Good quality hardwoods (obtained from deciduous trees such as teak or sheesham) are denser, heavier and stronger compared to softwoods such as pine wood or mango wood.
MDF Particle Boards
These panels are constructed using powdered wood, which is held together with glue. The boards are then compressed into sheet format. MDF sheets are not the same as chipboard or plywood. The reason why MDF is an ideal choice for drawer-building is because it cuts and sands well.
Are MDF cabinets good quality? Medium-density fiberboard cabinets are cheaper than solid wood but can be just as strong. If you're looking for painted cabinets, using MDF will give you a smoother finish and color that lasts for a long time.
MDF is denser than hardwood and offers a much smoother finish with no grain. This makes MDF an ideal material for making painted cabinet doors. Due to its density and consistent structure, MDF can be machined using high speed CNC cutting tools to create a variety of different 3-D profiles perfect for cabinet doors.
Unlike MDF, which is quite soft, plywood anchors screws well. So if your kitchen cabinets have a plethora of screws and nails, plywood is the best way to go. Changes in temperature and humidity will not affect plywood--it won't contract, warp or expand even under extreme temperature changes.
Hardwood. Arguably the most durable material for kitchen cabinets, hardwood is solid wood. Some hardwood types, such as hickory or maple, will resist scratching and denting more than softwood species like walnut and mahogany. However, the former will cost more due to durability and overall quality.
Domestic plywood used in cabinetry can be commonly found in thicknesses of 5/32 inch and up, but for the purposes of a frameless cabinet ANSI HP-1 nominal ¾-inch thick panels are ideal.
Satin Finish
A satin sheen is easy to care for and will show the least amount of dirt, grime, and imperfections on the face of your cabinets, compared to gloss and semi-gloss finishes. This type of finish is ideal for a busy kitchen.