Advantages:
- Muffle noise of metal cabinets
Disadvantages:
- Prone to sagging
- Don’t hold screws well
- Prone to swelling/warping if wet
OVERVIEW of Particle Board and MDF Cabinets:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen cabinets is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen cabinet materials and finishes. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen cabinet material and finish make sure to think through the countertop and backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinets. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant. Think of the kitchen cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes as an integrated kitchen design system, so try to avoid buying one before you get perspective and price out the materials, finishes, and installation implications for all three.
DETAILS on Particle Board and MDF Cabinets:
Particle board cabinets and medium density fiberboard cabinets fall under the plywood family, but are not as great of an option when being considered as a base for your metal cabinets.
Both particle board and MDF muffle the noise of metal cabinets, which is essential in a base product. However, both products are made of mainly sawdust and flue, and are prone to sagging under heavy weight. These products will most likely not hold up well under the weight of your dishes, pots and pans.
Particle board and MDF products do not hold screws well and have to be tightened and replaced more frequently than other products. They are also prone to swelling and warping if wet, so the kitchen is probably not the best place for them.
These products are great for a temporary fix, or if you do not see the maintenance as problem. With metal cabinetry especially, you have to do a lot of research before deciding exactly which products to go with.
GREEN Considerations:
If you decide to supply your kitchen with plywood, make sure to use FSC-certified or reclaimed wood. A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification guarantees that wood is grown and harvested in a sustainable manner. Many companies also use reclaimed wood, meaning they use salvaged wood to produce beautiful products.
Columbia Forest Products is the largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood in North America. They have transformed their business to supply only formaldehyde-free products, an extremely beneficial factor for the environment, as well as your home.
Checking to be sure that the products you are placing in your home are manufactured and sold in eco-friendly ways is half the battle of keeping your home environmentally-friendly.
