Plywood vs. Pressed Wood Cabinets

[Benjamin Hirsch]

There has long been a debate in the industry about the differences in cabinetry that are manufactured from plywood or from pressed wood. Most all professionals agree that there are many benefits to plywood cabinetry, not least because they don't expand or dissolve from moisture as pressed wood cabinets do.

I would like to ask our esteemed group of rehabbers, if the money spent on plywood cabinets, though minimal, is necessary if the home will be flipped. I have heard that buyers are more educated today than before, and will consider it a negative if the cabinet boxes were constructed from pressed wood.

What are your experiences?

[Steve B.]

from my research recently I've come to a strong opinion. Your basic cabinet options are. 1. get the cheapest stuff at home deport, lowes, or IKEA. All particle board or MDF. spend 2k in a 10x10 kitchen run 2. get RTA plywood cabs at your local Chinese knock down shop or best of class online RTA like Lilly Ann or RTAcabinetshoo.com and spend 2.5k for the same setup 3. get high end designer "made in USA". prestige cabinets at a local shop which serves you tea and lattes and you work with a personal designer . same cab setup 8k for cabs 8k for install. I'm almost always going to go for option #2