Specify width for back of kitchen cabinet box?

last month

last modified: last month

Hello. Getting into the weeds here with a construction question. I am ordering custom cabinets and using a local cabinetmaker. Should I specify the width of the plywood back of the kitchen cabinet boxes? My cabinetmaker said 1/4 inch. Is thicker better? I don't mind paying more. Woodworking forums seem to lean toward 1/2 inch, but some say 1/4 is fine. Maybe I should leave this up to my cabinetmaker. Any opinions?

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PRO

Brody Design Build

last month

Back panels could be a sheet of paper as long as there is a 3/4” hanging rail.

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Comments (6)

John Liu
last month
Thickness (not "width") of back panel?

1/4" is functionally just fine. Ignoring the extra cost, I'd do 1/2" just for the sturdy feel - like if you load dishes in the cabinet and bang them into the back panel, it will be a nice solid thump.
Jeanette Mieko thanked John Liu
Nova
last month
We are a custom cabinet maker with over 40 years in the business. We do 1/4" thick backs.
Jeanette Mieko thanked Nova
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Delta Systems
last month
Old fashioned built in place cabinets didn't even have backs. The back was the wall

that they were fastened to.
Jeanette Mieko
Original Author
last month
Delta Systems Yes, I remember. The wall was the back. A simpler time.
Clyde Kalvin
last month
My cabinets have no backs. My house is a log cabin. The backs of the cabinets are the log walls.