Made a choice between particle board and plywood for a built-in shelf job

Had a client last month who wanted cheap built-in shelves for their rental property in Austin. I warned them that particle board would sag over time, but they insisted on saving $150 upfront. After 3 weeks of Texas humidity, the shelves started bowing in the middle where I put the books. Now they're paying me to rip it all out and replace it with 3/4 inch plywood. Has anyone else dealt with clients ignoring your advice on material choices?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivanl7614d agoMost Upvoted

Did you use kiln-dried particle board or the regular stuff? In my experience, the kind they sell at big box stores is way more prone to moisture issues, especially in humid climates like Austin. Even a coat of shellac would have bought some time before the sagging started. Your mileage may vary, but I've seen some people seal particle board with a couple coats of polyurethane and it holds up better than you'd expect, though I still wouldn't trust it for heavy books.

lee.diana14d ago

Wait, you actually saw people seal particle board with polyurethane? That's wild.