Are Cabinets Made out of Plywood Better than Particle Board?
Kitchen cabinets come in several different types. Two of the most popular are plywood and particle board. While both of them look great in the beginning, one clearly stands the test of time better than the other. It’s important to take strength and longevity of these materials into account when purchasing kitchen cabinets.
How Cabinets Are Made Makes a Difference
Plywood and particle board are both composite materials, but they are very different. Particle board comes from the leftovers of other wood projects. Manufacturers take the wood shavings, pieces, and other items that would normally be thrown away and use them to create the particle board. The pieces are glued and then pressed together into sheets. These sheets are sturdy and can have veneer and other coverings placed on them to look like solid wood.
Plywood is made from thin sheets of wood. Several whole uniform sheets are then glued together to create a single sheet. It is has properties that are excellent for cabinet construction. It is easy to sand, paint, or stain. It can also be covered with a veneer.
Strength
When new, you can’t tell whether cabinets are made from particle board or plywood, but time takes its toll on particle board. Water and other problems cause particle board to break down, leading to sagging and breaking.
Plywood is stronger overall since it is made of larger pieces rather than thousands of small ones. It can handle the weight of the countertops, dishes and doors without sagging or bowing. Particle board breaks down faster and absorbs water, leading to deformities and ripples. These are not problems often associated with plywood.
Longevity
Kitchen cabinets are an investment, and the last thing you want to do is replace them after a few short years. Particle board may be the cheaper alternative, but don’t expect those cabinets to last you very long. Particle board breaks down easily when it comes to water and humidity. Water is commonplace in kitchens and bathrooms, and over time the particle board will begin to bow, sag, ripple and breakdown. Particle board also can’t handle impacts like plywood, so chips may have already developed.
Plywood may have some rippling due to water, but it’s much sturdier in the long term. The boxes of many high-end cabinets are made from plywood and it will be years before you need to replace them.
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