Specify width for back of kitchen cabinet box?

last year

last modified: last year

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?

Featured Answer

PRO

Brody Design Build

last year

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

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

John Liu
last year
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 year
We are a custom cabinet maker with over 40 years in the business. We do 1/4" thick backs.
Jeanette Mieko thanked Nova
Related Professionals
Macon Cabinets & Cabinetry · Poughkeepsie Cabinets & Cabinetry · San Francisco Cabinets & Cabinetry · Houston Carpenters · Fall River Carpenters · Lincoln Carpenters · Bend Carpenters · Mobile Flooring Contractors · Pullman Flooring Contractors · Meridian Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · North Adams Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Magog Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Superior Kitchen Remodelers · Fresno Kitchen Remodelers · Bennington Custom Countertops
PRO
Delta Systems
last year
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 year
Delta Systems Yes, I remember. The wall was the back. A simpler time.
Clyde Kalvin
last year
My cabinets have no backs. My house is a log cabin. The backs of the cabinets are the log walls.