What's your home humidity level? Do you have the required 30% humidity maintained in your home? Very dry winter air cracks wood because wood shrinks in the absence of humidity. It'll swell in summer too. That's the nature of wood.

This is about the third thread in recent months showing the a similar thing. I believe the problem is that the wood wasn't properly dry when it was finished. Not common, but seen on this forum several times before.

Don't accept that this is the homeowner's (your) fault. Painted wood has been in all types of homes, in all types of climates without cracking.

That is called checking and it happens to wood when it expands and contracts. Assuming your humidity levels are good, the above theory about the wood not curing enough is most likely the reason.

What part of the cabinet is the checking on? I can't tell from the photo.

That's plywood for ya. Everyone wants to bash particleboard and MDF, but neither are likely do this.

@jerzeegirl So far It’s just the side of the cabinet (not the doors) and a piece that frames the side of the fridge. Thanks

I agree with Mr. Corlett. It is probably painted plywood. While everyone seems to think it's wonderful stuff, it splits, swells and shrinks. People are willing to pay a premium for this opportunity. If you want a solid, stable surface for painted cabinets high quality particleboard and MDF are superior to plywood. I've had too many custom cabinet maker's tell me this through a number of renovations. I got the message.

Sorry.

This has happened to us also. We finished our reno in November and have replaced 3 cabinet doors (maple wood). We now have 3 different ones that are cracked. Our crown molding, arches and hardwood floors are also pulling and separating so I think it's a low humidity and a very cold winter with forced air heat situation for us.

MDO ply to the rescue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medium_density_overlay_panel
Casey

Thanks for all the replies I guess a humidifier is a definite and will probably be my next post .@jerzeegirl it's an upper cabniet I think the idea of the door would be great and a lot less work. Plus it will match the lower cabinet which has a door panel also! Hopefully next winter for the NE will be nicer!

Before you turn on a humidifier check what your humidity level is.

Yes as stated above , plywood is usually what people tend to go for but for painted cabinet doors

mdf IS THE WAY TO GO. It has just gotten a bad name. The pigmented finishes lay flatter and the doors will not crack after time, humidity or no humidity !

@Cabinet Hero Inc., why are you pulling up a bunch of years old posts?

@millworkman, yeah…kind of drives me nuts when folks do that, with nothing to add…or, as in this case, repeating what has already been answered.

@darbuka, multiple old posts at that. Plus a "pro" and his first activity....................