Choosing the right Plywood for your Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re thinking about building your own kitchen or having a kitchen built for you then you’re going to want to look at your different options. In this article I will help you with choosing the right plywood for your kitchen cabinets.

You might actually be surprised at what all is out there and just how many different ways you can create the kitchen of your dreams. We’ll take a look at some of the most popular options and at both high end and budget friendly options. Each one has benefits and drawbacks to consider and from there, you can get started.

Many different options

Kitchen cabinets can look any way and they can definitely be organized however you like as well. They can be set up in different configurations and they can be made out of different types of materials. You get to design everything, even if you’re not actually going to do the building yourself. So let’s take a closer look at the different types to make it easier when you are choosing the right plywood for kitchen cabinets.

If you are just starting out with woodworking, it might be interesting for you to first go read my beginners guide for woodworkers.

The Best Plywood for Kitchen Cabinets … On a Budget

When it comes time to start picking out the right plywood you want to make sure that you aren’t going to break the budget. So let’s take a look at some of the best options if you want to keep your budget low but you still want to get a great looking kitchen. Some of these will be a little bit more than others, but they’re all going to help you save a bit of money and still have a great look, and one that you can actually customize however you like too, so let’s see what you can do. You might be surprised just how much you can actually get with just a basic, budget-friendly option. There are plenty of them out there and plenty of people who love each one.

MR Grade

MR grade means ‘moisture-resistant.’ It’s generally a good option for people who live in very humid areas because it’s not going to absorb the moisture that’s already in the air. The idea is that normal plywood will eventually warp and twist as it continues to absorb that moisture, and in a kitchen you’re definitely going to have some moisture. So, if you’re looking for a good quality moisture resistant option you’re definitely going to want to look closer at this plywood, but there are higher levels as well.

Flexible Plywood

If you’re going to be making anything rounded you’re going to need something that can bend. Flexible plywood, also known as ‘bendy ply’ is an important aspect for this. That’s because it helps you form the different shapes that you want and you’re going to have no problem creating something that’s a little bit more unique. Of course, this isn’t going to be something that you want to use for the entirety of your cabinets because it’s not designed to be as strong or durable as other versions of plywood. It’s only really meant to be decorative or to help with decorative aspects.

FR Grade

This one is a fire retardant plywood and it’s definitely a good option if you’re anywhere that fire is a possibility. When you’re in kitchens, for example, you’re going to have a higher than average likelihood of fire, because of the stove and oven you’re working with. So, fire retardant plywood is treated with special chemicals that are supposed to make it harder for the wood to actually catch fire in the first place and also make it a great deal slower to burn, thus making it more possible to put out the fire.

The Best Plywood for Kitchen Cabinets … Without a Budget

Now, maybe you’re not concerned about the budget. Maybe you just want to make sure that you’re getting the absolute best possible product and whatever you have to spend is no big deal. It’s that the case for you then these are the types of plywood that you want to go for. They’re going to be top of the line and they’re going to give you some great benefits and features. You’ll spend a little more, but you’re going to get a good amount of value out of it, so it’s going to be worth it in the end.

You’re also going to be more than happy about the results and you’ll be able to protect your kitchen cabinets. Whether it’s protecting from water or from insects or something else entirely. That’s going to be a big benefit overall.

BWR Grade

BWR means boiling water resistant. What that means is that it’s considered a waterproof wood that’s designed to work anywhere you want, whether indoors, outdoors or semi-outdoors. It also has a higher moisture resistance level than standard MR grade plywood. The secret is what’s called phenolic resins. These use a special type of adhesive that’s made out of a type of synthetic plastic. That makes sure that the wood itself isn’t going to absorb the moisture that’s in the air, especially when you’re putting it in your kitchen. It’s great for cabinets because it’s not going to break down or warp when it gets wet.

Marine Grade

When you start working your way up a little in the moisture-resistant space you’ll find marine grade plywood. This wood takes that moisture resistant aspect to a whole new level. That’s because this type of wood can be used for even more hardcore projects and it’s used in all kinds of furniture.

It not only has that humidity protection though. It also is a whole lot stronger than other types of plywood, which means it’s going to be a better load-bearing option and support a whole lot more weight.

Very strong core

When it comes to putting things together you’re going to have a great benefit in that it has a 100% composed core. That’s used to make sure that it can hold nails easily and that you’ll have stronger joints and stronger cabinets when you’re all done.

Finally, you’re going to have a piece that looks great when it’s all done, because the plywood is designed to form together right and also to hold that shape. On top of all of that it’s super lightweight, which is going to make it even easier for you to transport, to put up and a whole lot more.

Termite Resistant

Termite or borer resistant forms of plywood are extremely important in areas where you find a lot of these creatures. Because plywood can be used for such important elements of your home you want to make sure that they’re going to stand up to attack by these little wood eating creatures. You want to make sure that you have plywood that’s treated to keep these pests away and to make it more difficult for them to eat through the boards. No matter where you’re using the pieces themselves.

Structural Plywood

When it comes to building you want to make sure that you have really high quality and extra-durable plywood. This is called structural plywood and it’s going to be great for just about any application. It’s made with better hardwoods and high end materials so that you don’t have to worry about it supporting whatever you’re doing. It’s going to hold heavier materials (like all those dishes and heavy pots and pans) without you having to worry about cracking or straining, which can happen when you use a form of plywood that’s too light.

Concrete Shuttering Plywood

This isn’t a building plywood, but it’s something we’re going to talk about anyway, so you’ll have an idea what you’re looking at. Concrete shuttering plywood is actually used to build boxes that are then used when pouring concrete. If you’ve ever seen someone getting a brand new sidewalk you’ve probably seen these plywood boxes that they pour the concrete into. Then the wood can be pulled out and it can be used the next time. But these aren’t used for things like building cabinets or setting up any other structures.

Knowing the Right Plywood for You

So, if you’re looking to build your kitchen cabinets what else should you look for when choosing the right plywood for your kitchen cabinets? How do you know which is going to give you the right benefits and features?

Well, it means that you’re going to have to take a look at this research and pay attention to what you actually expect from your cabinets. Are you looking for the highest quality or are you looking for the best termite resistance? Are you looking for moderate moisture resistance or do you need something that extremely durable?

Most Water Resistant

The most water resistant option is going to be marine grade plywood. If you find yourself with a whole lot of moisture in your kitchen this is the way you’re going to want to go and it’s likely going  to give you the most protection from splashing and other types of water exposure as well. If you use this same product to make cabinets in your bathroom as well you’ll be doing just fine and you’ll have no problem with the humidity that tends to make a home in any bathroom.

Best Bug Protectant

Termite-resistant options are going to be the best one for just about any kind of bugs. They’re going to be durable and they’re going to be resistant to all that chewing that you would get otherwise. After all, you want to make sure that your cabinets are protected just like the rest of your house (which hopefully should also be made with termite resistant materials). If you have termite problems or problems with any other pests, however, this might be a good option for your cabinets.

Best Durability

For those who want to make sure they have the most durable option, and don’t really care about anything else, structural plywood is going to be a great way to go. This type of plywood is going to be heavy duty and it’s definitely going to support anything you put in it because it’s actually designed to be used for structural applications. If you’re going to be building cabinets you don’t need anything this strong, but you’re going to get a lot out of it.

Best Fire Resistance

When it comes to protecting against fire you definitely want to go with a standard fire-resistant plywood. This is specially treated to protect against fire and also against excess heat. If you have cabinets directly above your stove you’re definitely going to want to opt for this type, though you won’t necessarily need it in other areas of your kitchen. Commercial kitchens may also opt for this type of plywood to help in case of larger scale fires in the building.

Don’t forget the aesthetics

The truth is, any of these could be the right option for you, but you never know for sure. Choosing the right plywood for kitchen cabinets isn’t an exact science. You could find that a fire resistant option is the best way to go or maybe you find that one level of moisture resistance is better than the others. Maybe you’re looking for high end and that’s the best way to go. No matter what it is, you’re going to want to make sure that you look at each option and that you pay attention to different ways that you can use them.

Creating your own cabinets is going to be all about you. It’s going to be all about the things that you like best about your kitchen and how to make a design that’s really going to fit your own aesthetic.

Wrap Up

If you’re looking to build your own cabinets you want to make sure that you have a high end plywood and likely something that is fire retardant and moisture resistant to some extent. These are going to be the safest and most efficient ways for you to build your kitchen cabinets.

You’ll be able to create something that looks simple or extravagant, however you prefer, and you’ll be able to feel comfortable using those cabinets because you’ll know that they’re not going to have the problems that other materials could with the moisture in the air and definitely the risk of fire.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and I got to help you out with choosing the right plywood for your kitchen cabinets. In case you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below.