Some say to use plywood with some sheet on top, some say use nuwood, I am unable to find which is the best wood to use that has less maintenance, less hazzals, more durability and less expensive.
2006-06-26 23:31:03 · 6 answers · asked by rm 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
If you are going to be in you home for any length of time, oak is the best. It's expensive but by far the most durable. Attractive, too. Plywood is poor quality and I don't think it would hold up very well for the long term.
2006-06-27 00:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oak, ash and birch are the most common woods used for cabinets. 3/4" plywood is the most common material for the body of the cabinets with solid wood used for the face frame, doors and drawer fronts. Baltic birch is probably the best choice for the drawer bodies.
Our house in Houston (where it is really humid) had ash plywood cabinets and the wood was in perfect shape after 25 years. We did have to refinish after about 20 years.
If you ever watch the New Yankee Workshop or This Old House, you see that they usually use plywood for the cabinets because it is dimensionally stable, durable and the best choice from an economic standpoint.
With regard to maintenance, it is the finish you use that really determines that along with the quality of the drawer slides and other hardware. Modern polyurethane varnishes make a very tough finish but no finish will last a life time.
2006-06-27 03:02:20 · answer #2 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oak will probably give you less hassles- the grain is much more forgiving with scratches. You didn't say if you were going to paint or stain.
Also depends on what part of the country you are in. In the south- where I am and we are also a high end cabinet shop- the majority of our cabinets are Maple. Maple gives you more options for staining. It is generally less expensive than Oak. It is also a wood that you can paint in the future if you like. It is also inter-changable with Birch. But with Oak, Ash, Walnut, etc... you pretty much have to stay with that particular wood. You can also use some Poplar woods with maple and birch. You just have to "pick it for white and clear" and manipulate the stain color a little to match. I have done this on many projects when Maple or Birch wasn't available in a certain trim piece.
We have seen a lot of people using Alder lately. However- when you go to put moulding up in your house- you are going to be hard pressed to find alder mouldings- and especially any longer than 10' long.
If you are going to paint. You can use MDF and plywood. Definitely ask for solid MDF cabinet doors. They paint out beautifully- no joints!
2006-06-29 09:27:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't know this answer don't try to make Cabinets, but for the record, Oak or Ash- or any hardwood for that matter- Plywood works on the cheap end. Cabinet grade.
2006-06-26 23:37:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really like oak in the kitchen and I've been told cedar is good for the bedroom closets and cabinets.
2006-06-29 14:38:38 · answer #5 · answered by ginger sue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're looking for the best, go with the real stuff. It's expensive, but some manufacturers have "seconds" outlets with some really great deals, and minimaly scratched goods Kraftmaid is a good one.
Also, you can't go wrong with Amish-made cabinetry.
2006-06-26 23:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋