So I managed to wander into a local custom cabinet K&B yesterday. The quality looks very nice. I would say better. I notice on their website that they use safe environmental practices set by the KCMA. All wood can be ordered for no formaldehyde and they also use low voc finishes.

The reason for my post. I was very surprised to see she was enthusiastically recommending the MDF without blinking an ey to those of us who were there. She said the MDF is very high density these days. It's just as good and not a problem.

She said they use it for their painted finishes because it absorbs the paint instead of sitting on the surface and doesn't do the expand and contract thing at the seams. Otherwise it would go to a stain type painted finish (more expensive I believe she was driving at). I am definitely doing painted so this really got my attention. It hasn't come up before. I was told at the big boxes to expect cracking at the joints on the painted finishes. They were maple doors. Some had a veneered center panel.

This morning I came across a cabinet maker recommending to always use wood frames for the doors because MDF will chip easily (linked). I would think that would apply to drawer fronts also. I don't know if the door frames are MDF at this point. The shop does seem very interested in producing high quality products and the cabinetry seems to show that at face value. But let's face it most companies need to reduce costs in one way or another to produce an affordable product.

I have been looking at previous threads on construction. It is a bit confusing. I'm not seeing the thicker construction people are recommending. I believe the lines I was looking at in the big boxes noted they were certified so wasn't that concerned about it. Maybe I shouldn't be if they are complying with standards.

Anyway, I see a lot say to go for 3/4" for the box. I imagine we are talking high end there so that this is likely out of my price range to begin with. I also see a lot of 1/2" recommendations. I'm not going to waste money going cheap but for more of a mid range quality that would last at least 30 years and still be in good shape.

Here are their construction specs for the stock cabinetry. She thinks it's very good (even used it in her own home) and seems to know her stuff. I trusted her instinctively. Who knows.

What I do see that concerns me is that there's only a 5 YEAR WARRANTY. That seems very low. Would that be customary for a local shop type operation? AMW has a limited lifetime warranty which I expect the other major lines also do but haven't checked yet. Who spends that kind of money for cabinets the manufacturer expects to last for only about five years. I would think the cheap stuff would last longer than that.

Bottom line is that I can't get the best cabinet construction. I do want a good one.

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS (remember I can't do fine cabinetry):

Is this good or even better than the big box lines?

Base Cabinets

Face frame construction: Beaded 1 1/8" wide x 3/4" thick stile / 1 3/4" wide x 3/4" thick rail

3/8" Furniture board laminated melamine bottom. (All bottoms of sink bases and vanities are Low Pressure Laminate)

3/8" MDF dust cover

1/4" HDF Fiberex back

3/8" Furniture board end panels, 1/4" reveal on neuter exterior

5/8" Furniture board with flush side on exposed ends matching door color in Low Pressure Laminate

Recessed side toe kick - attached


Wall Cabinets

Face Frame Construction: Beaded 1 1/8" wide x 3/4" thick stile / 1 3/4" wide x 3/4" thick rail

3/8" Low Pressure Laminated furniture board top & bottom

1/4" HDF Fiberex back

3/8" Furniture board end panels, 1/4" reveal on neuter exterior

5/8" Furniture board with flush side on exposed ends matching door color in Low Pressure Laminate

Shelves are 3/4" Thick furniture board laminated melamine with Beaded Wood Edge


Tall Cabinets

Full Access (frameless) construction with applied beaded rail

5/8" Low Pressure Laminated furniture board top & bottom

1/4" HDF Fiberex back

5/8" Low Pressure Laminated furniture board end panels, 5/8" flush end on neuter exterior

5/8" Furniture board with flush side on exposed ends matching door color in Low Pressure Laminate

Loose toe kick


Drawer / pull out tray

5/8" All Wood drawer core & pull out tray

Dove-tail construction and 1/4" Fiberex bottom

Epoxy 3/4 extension under mount glide

Here is a link that might be useful: Recommending to use hardwood door frames for MDF construction.