Stopped by a local shop and they refuse to use plywood backs, just MDF. Thoughts?

Went into a custom cabinet shop outside Columbus on Friday and the owner swore by MDF for all backs, says plywood is a waste of money and time. I've always used 1/4 inch ply for the stability, but he's been doing this for 30 years. Which one's actually better for a typical kitchen that sees some humidity?

2 comments

2 Comments

susan_ward19h ago

Thirty years in the trade does mean something, but I've seen enough swollen MDF backs in bathrooms and behind dishwashers to stay loyal to plywood. My rule of thumb is simple: MDF paints up nice and stays flat, but the minute real moisture hits it, it's done. For a typical kitchen, that 1/4 inch ply is worth the extra few bucks per sheet, especially if they ever decide to redo the backsplash or swap a faucet. What kind of climate are you in, humid summers or pretty dry year round?

margaret_singh16h ago

You ever run into that nightmare where someone glued MDF to the wall and then tried to pull it off five years later? It just crumbles like a stale cookie. I'd add one thing to your rule: even the cheap exterior-grade ply holds up better than the fancy moisture-resistant MDF, because the glue in ply is just tougher. Around here, the summers get sticky, so I always tell folks to leave a small gap at the bottom edge and caulk it well, that buys you extra years no matter what you pick.