Planning on building new kitchen cabinets? Plywood, Particle board, and MDF are the top options. However, how do you choose the best for you? This article on MDF vs particle board; mdf vs plywood will offer a cohesive breakdown of the pros, cons, and differences of each composite wood type.
Before we delve into each composite wood, you must understand what composite wood is and why it’s appropriate for kitchen cabinets.
Why is Composite Wood Best For Kitchen Cabinets?
Composite wood is made from a mix of wood fibers or flour alongside plastic materials such as Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and binding agents. Also called wood plastic composite, it is different from traditional wood and considered stronger and durable. Most custom cabinet contractors will likely suggest composite over traditional wood for your cabinets.
The main reasons why Composite wood is better for kitchen cabinets are,
- Stable: Composite wood such as MDF are more dimensionally stable compared to other options. Unlike regular wood that may develop cracks in the joints overtime, composite wood is less prone to cracking, warping, and twisting.
- Durable: The best composite woods are more resistant to insects, rot, and decay. Hence, they last longer and look better. Plus, they’re are generally better for the environment since they’re made from recycled material
- Cost Effective: Real wood is a lot more expensive compared to composite wood. It costs more to purchase the wood and work on it. Not to mention they require minimal maintenance- they don’t require cleaning or vanishing and waterproof.
- Easy to Customize: Since composite wood does not crack easily, paint lasts longer over time. In addition, you can make adjustments to fit your aesthetics with ease.
Of all the composite woods available, the top three contenders are Particleboard, MDF, and Plywood.
MDF vs Particle Board; MDF vs Plywood: Which is Better?
Overall, Plywood is the most durable of all composite woods especially for outdoor projects. However, MDF is a reasonable choice for indoor areas such as kitchen cabinets depending on the weight of the items. Particle boards are popular for
its budget-friendly price points.
However, to help you make the best decision, let’s discuss each composite wood and its pros and cons.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is easily the most sturdy wood of all the composite woods available. It’s formed from thin sheets of wood veneer glued together to form a sturdy mass. Plywood is typically used to make outdoor structures, beams, and crates. It is considered one of the strongest and most durable engineered woods out there.
Hence, it can generally hold a lot of weight. Depending on the grade, you can use plywood for a variation of projects. For instance, hardwood is perfect for wall structures and heavy duty flooring whereas soft decorative plywood is great for paintings and dyes.
Pros of Using Plywood
- Plywood is strong. It is made from between 1.5mm-2.5mm thick sheets of wood veneers
- It’s durable. Plywood is generally resistant to cracking, warping, and twisting
- Compared to solid wood, it is easier to work with. It can be cut, drilled, and nailed with ease
- Depending on the type of plywood, it can be considered cost-effective. The price ranges from $5-$55 per sheet.
- It has a smooth surface
Cons of Using Plywood
- The layers are exposed so it must be covered with laminate to improve the lifespan.
- It can be susceptible to water damage if it isn’t sealed properly
- Some plywood varieties release a famous carcinogen called formaldehyde.
What is Particleboard?
Particleboard is a unique form of composite wood made from a combination of waste material such as sawdust, wood chips, and planar shavings. This wood was first formed in the 1940s due to a lack of timber for the manufacturing of plywood.
So, you could say particle board came after plywood, but does this mean it isn’t as good as the first?
One unique feature of particle boards is the mix of chemicals, wetting agents, dye, and wax used in the finishing. This combination makes the wood less susceptible to insects, water, and fire. There are also different types of particle boards which will make better fits depending on your project. For instance, veneered particle boards are great for the aesthetic while laminated particle boards are perfect for kitchen cabinets.
Pros of Using Particleboard
- The most important advantage of particleboards is its cost-effectiveness. When you compare it to other composite woods, you spend less with particle boards.
- Particle boards have a smooth surface so every painting and design is better.
- They are lightweight so they are easy to move around and work with.
- It’s sturdy and holds screws and nails properly
- Particle boards have thermos-acoustic insulation properties, so it’s great for speakers and similar uses.
Cons of Using Particleboard
- Particleboards are not great for outdoor projects because they are not completely water resistant
- It’s lightweight compared to Plywood, so it can’t hold heavy loads
- It could be toxic. Particleboards are made with urea-formaldehyde resin: the source of formaldehyde gas.
What is MDF?
MDF stands for medium density fiber wood; one of the best composite woods made from fiber wood. One of the most distinct features of MDF is that the fibers are put together using fire and heat resulting in a flat and smooth surface. This also ensures it has uniform stability making it extra sturdy.
The veneer sealant applied in the manufacturing process also improves its resistance to water damage. There are different forms of MDF- moisture resistant which is perfect for the bathrooms and saunas and fiber retardant; excellent for fireplaces.
Pros of Using MDF
- MDF is an all purpose composite wood. Albeit economical, it is perfect for different furniture types.
- Due to its uniformed density, MDF can handle a lot of weight.
- Compared to particle board, MDF is more resistant to heat and humidity.
- It’s also less likely to split after a long period which makes it very durable.
- MDF is also eco-friendly
Cons of Using MDF
- Despite being cheaper, MDF is weaker than regular wood
- MDF is heavier than particleboard and Plywood so it’s harder to work with
- The screws and nails may come off after some time
- MDF can breakdown quickly when handled aggressively
A Comprehensive Comparison of Plywood, Particleboard and MDF
In this debate of MDF vs particle board; mdf vs plywood, you must consider the following factors before reaching a verdict,
| Factor | Plywood | Particleboard | MDF |
| Strength and Durability | Strong and durable; less prone to warping | It’s the least durable and more prone to damage | Dense and stable |
| Cost | Undoubtedly the most expensive | Also the cheapest | It costs an average price compared to the others |
| Aesthetics | Natural wood grain which makes the finishing great | Rough texture and needs veneer finishing | Smooth surface and idea for veneering and painting |
| Moisture Resistance | Excellent moisture resistance. Some variations are great for outdoor projects | It’s not the most water resistant composite wood; it will split in wet areas | The least moisture resistant and prone to swelling |
| Ease of Working | It’s hardwood making it relatively hard to work with | Easy to work with but but does not hold screws firmly | Easy to work with but but does not hold screws firmly |
| Environmental Impact | Great for the environment | Made from recycled fibers so it’s eco-friendly | Made from recycled fibers so it’s eco-friendly |
MDF vs Particleboard; MDF vs plywood: The Verdict
All of the composite woods are excellent but choosing between MDF, particleboard, and plywood can be tricky.
Plywood is excellent for structures in wet parts of the home because of its high resistance to moisture. However, it is the most expensive of the three composite wood.
If aesthetics is your major focus, MDF should be at the top of your mind. Its smooth surface makes it incredibly easy to customize whenever you want. But, it isn’t strong enough to withstand heavy loads so you must be careful.
For budget-friendly projects, particleboard is a great alternative to plywood and MDF. However, it is the least durable and warps easily. In addition, Particleboard is lightweight, so it can’t withstand heavy loads and moisture.
Overall, the MDF vs particleboard; MDF vs plywood verdict is highly dependent on your needs. If you need a stable and durable wood for heavy loads, plywood is the best options. Particleboard is ideal when budget is a major concern. However, MDF is the perfect middle ground for both dursbil5, stability and budget.
What is The Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Composite woods such as MDF, Plywood, and Particleboard are all great materials for kitchen cabinets. They perform really well because they are highly durable, moisture resistant, and cost effective.
Conclusion
The debate of MDF vs particleboard; MDF vs plywood ends up with the fact that plywood is appropriate for heavy-duty applications. MDF is a great choice for decorative projects and budget friendly. As for particleboard, it is budget friendly.
Getting used to the differences will inform your final decision of the best woods for high quality cabinetry. You must however, ensure you work with a kitchen cabinet installation expert for a better finish.
