Showplace Wood Kitchen

All-Wood Cabinetry vs. Particleboard Cabinets – Pros & Cons

Cabinets are made of wood, right? Well, the answer to that is yes and no. Today we’re going to explain the differences and pros and cons of all-wood cabinetry vs. particleboard cabinetry to help you make the best decision for you home.

All-wood in the cabinetry world generally refers to plywood or wood veneers.  These thin sheets of wood, cut from a log, are glued together in a cross grain pattern to make a composite sheet. Because of the cross grain pattern, plywood is then more stable and heat/moisture resistant than a solid cut wood would be, an important feature in cabinetry.

Particleboard is a man-made composite sheet wood product. By combining wood chips and particles with a glue or resin and then shaping/binding them using a mold or extreme pressure, a wood sheet is formed. Particleboard products are classified by their particle size and overall density and are graded based on quality control standards set by the industry.  The quality of plywood can vary drastically.  To give particleboard cabinets a finished look, exposed surfaces are then finished with either wood veneers, by painting, or using a laminate.

So how do you decide which is best for you?  Consider the pros and cons of each…

Moisture – One of the biggest differences between the two is how they handle moisture.  In a kitchen or bath situation where steam is present, faucets run regularly, water boils, and leaks can happen, the more water repellent the better.  Particleboard is typically not good at resisting water and is known to swell and loose structural strength when exposed to moisture.  Some types handle it better than others, and thus water damage will vary with the quality of the particleboard. Plywood is significantly more water resistant.  Though excessive and long term exposure to water could effect it, its structural integrity will stay in tact over a much longer period of time.

Construction – Plywood will generally hold mechanical fasteners (nails, screws) better than particleboard. Plywood also has greater effectiveness in holding glued joints. A glued joint has much better physical properties than a mechanical joint; higher end cabinets are most likely to have glued construction.

Strength – Plywood is a stronger material that can hold greater weight than any particleboard, mainly because of the interweaving design of the boards. Though a high quality particleboard certainly can be durable and sturdy, it will scratch and dent more easily and will likely not hold up as long.

Cost – Particleboard has the advantage in price.  Particleboard is less expensive to create, because the material (wood particles) are often considered waste and the process is more streamlined.  Depending on the cabinet manufacturer the savings of using particleboard construction will range from 10% to 20%.  Though all-wood cabinetry will run you a little bit more, deciding which product is the better value for your situation is the bigger decision.

Have further questions about what type of cabinetry is right for your home?  At The Cabinet Store + Culina Design we’re always happy to help you make an educated decision based on your needs.  Visit our beautiful showroom to see cabinetry of all types and styles for yourself!

Schedule A Visit to Our Cambria Showroom

Location(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Similar Posts

  • Bloomington Kitchen and Master Bath Remodel with New Showplace Cabinets and Cambria Countertops

    This week we want to feature the complete renovation of a Bloomington kitchen and master bath, featuring cabinetry and countertops from The Cabinet Store + Culina Design! KITCHEN In preparation…

  • Design Style Definitions Made Simple | Traditional – Contemporary – Transitional

    Whether you’re making plans for your new remodel project or just dreaming about it, understanding the terminology of the remodeling and architectural design world can come in pretty handy.  Here…

  • The Cabinet Store + Culina Design Partners With Environmentally-Friendly Companies

    At The Cabinet Store + Culina Design, sustainability is important to us. That’s why we choose to partner with American-made and environmentally-friendly vendors. From our countertops to our cabinetry, every…

  • Made In America

    The Cabinet Store + Culina Design is proud to be able to say that the majority of our products are Made In America.  We pride ourselves on supporting Americans and…

  • Partner Feature: Showplace Cabinets

    At The Cabinet Store + Culina Design, we take enormous pride in offering our clients high quality products and materials for their homes. Investing in a big remodel can be…

  • Real Home Feature: Elegant Cream & Black Kitchen Remodel  |  Apple Valley Kitchen Remodeling

    This Apple Valley home, built in the early 90s, relied heavily on oak.  Though the layout wasn’t bad, the kitchen needed a contemporary update, but one that didn’t look out-of-place…

Leave a Reply