What is Particle Board?
Particle board – Is often referred to as low density fiberboard, chipboard and furniture board. It is a wood product manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings or even sawdust. These base ingredients are mixed with a resin or other binding agents. Then it is pressed and extruded into its signature wide plank form. Most kitchen cabinets available at big box stores are made of particle board.
What is plywood?
Plywood– An engineered wood product made up of solid sheets of wood veneer. The “Plies” are stacked, and held together using a very strong resin. They are then pressed and bonded together to create one solid piece. characteristics of plywood are include thin, large, and very strong sheets of wood.
| PLYWOOD | PARTICLE BOARD | |
| Cost | Considered a higher-end material. A 4×8 sheet is $60 | Very cheap, made of wood waste material. A 4×8 sheet is $20 |
| Strength | Plywood is a very durable material that stands up well over time. | Particle board is not as durable as plywood. |
| Construction | Due to its solid wood pieces, plywood can easily hold nails, screws and other fasteners. additionally, it is great for holding glued joints together. | Due to its less standardized construction, particle board doesn’t hold nails and glue as well as plywood; glue and screws tend to come loose over time. |
| Moisture | Plywood is generally very moisture resistant, it will not bubble/swell up when in contact with water. | Particle board is very susceptible to damage from moisture and will swell if it comes into contact with water for more than a few minutes. |
| Pros | Strong and durable
High quality Moisture Resistant Holds nails and glue well Has the ability to be Stained and Painted |
Affordable
Less-costs Light-weight Perfect for ready-made furniture |
| Cons | Costs 3x more than particle board
Difficult to cut Have to finish edges because layers show |
Doesn’t handle moisture well (expands or discolors)
Not long lasting (low strength) Doesn’t hold nails and glue well Dents and scratches easily Cheap feeling |
| When To Use | Plywood is an excellent option in all kitchen cabinetry situations. As long as you are OK with spending slightly more to get cabinets that will last you many years. In reality it is often a better investment to buy plywood cabinets because they hold up for much longer than the alternatives. | Particle board makes a great quick fix for kitchens especially if the cabinets will be switched out after a few years. Particle board may be slightly less expensive than plywood, but in the end it often costs more because it will have to be replaced much sooner, and will show wear. |
Are Plywood Cabinets or Particle Board Cabinets Better?
In the end, it is very situational. If you are looking in the short term, particle board will do the job fora a cheaper price. If you want your kitchen to last and retain its value, Plywood would be the better option. It is important to find out what your price range is and how important sturdiness and moisture resistance is before choosing the cabinet material for your kitchen.
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