Kitchen Cabinets- Plywood or Particleboard Construction?
When shopping for kitchen cabinets, most homeowners focus on the look of the cabinets and the design of the doors, but they don’t ask about the most important feature of the cabinets- the material used to make the cabinet box. While the face frame and doors are important for the overall look, the structure of the cabinet itself is what will determine the lifespan of your kitchen.
While the majority of kitchen cabinet manufacturers will use solid wood for the face frame and doors, there are several different materials that are used for the cabinet construction. Due to the limited amount of aged timber that is available, it has become too expensive for even custom cabinet manufacturers to use real wood for the sides and back. Some higher end cabinet manfacturers build beautiful solid wood cabinets, but for the majority of homeowners, these are simply not economically feasible.
Particleboard is acommon material that some lower end cabinets will feature (and which you may recognize if you have ever shopped at Ikea). Particleboard, also called pressboard, is really just small chips of wood compressed together and held together with glue. Unlike plywood which consists of multiple layers of wood with the grain running in alternating patterns, particleboard doesn’t have any of that interweaving to help strengthen the board. Because of this, the material will tend to chip or break easier, and will not be able to support as much weight. Quite often, you will have to use supports to strengthen the cabinets if you are installing a heavier countertop.
Plywood is the most universally used material for kitchen cabinets. More expensive cabinets will use 3/4″ plywood with a wood veneer for the sides and sometimes for the back (most will not use solid plywood for the back either, but they will include mounting strips across the back). Most cabinets that you will find on the market will feature 1/2″ plywood, which is more than substantial enough to support any countertop material.
Another regularly used material is fiberboard. Fiberboard is basically a thick, dense cardboard. While it isn’t as fragile as particleboard, it doesn’t offer the rigidity of plywood or real wood. The other problems results from the fasteners. Without the grain of wood, fasteners will tend to lose their grip over time.
So when starting the shopping process for new cabinets, it is important to consider the pros and cons all the features of the cabinets. Just because a cabinet looks good, doesn’t mean that it will be able to hold up to the wear and tear that you are going to cause.
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Acco 2in Black Pressboard Report Cover – A7017921
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S J Paper S62621 – Classifcation Folder, Two Dividers, Letter, Black/Red, 15/Box $65.01 Perfect for organizing, color coding projects and more. Document storage in six separate sections constructed of sturdy 25-pt pressboard with long-lasting Tyvek gussets. Has 2 fasteners on inside front and back cover and double-sided fasteners on dividers. Classification Folder Type: Top Tab; Size: Letter; Number of Sections: 6; Cover Material(s): 25 pt. Pressboard…. |
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S J Paper S62624 – Classifcation Folder, Two Dividers, Letter, Black/Blue, 15/Box-SJPS62624 $82.50 Perfect for organizing, color coding projects and more. Document storage in six separate sections constructed of sturdy 25-pt pressboard with long-lasting Tyvek gussets. Has 2 fasteners on inside front and back cover and double-sided fasteners on dividers. Classification Folder Type: Top Tab; Size: Letter; Number of Sections: 6; Cover Material(s): 25 pt. Pressboard…. |
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S J Paper S62623 – Classifcation Folder, Two Dividers, Letter, Black/Orange, 15/Box-SJPS62623 $82.50 Perfect for organizing, color coding projects and more. Document storage in six separate sections constructed of sturdy 25-pt pressboard with long-lasting Tyvek gussets. Has 2 fasteners on inside front and back cover and double-sided fasteners on dividers. Classification Folder Type: Top Tab; Size: Letter; Number of Sections: 6; Cover Material(s): 25 pt. Pressboard…. |
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Pressboard 25-Point Classification Folders $30.00 Handy folder features 1-inch capacity fasteners on inside covers and on either side of each divider, ensuring efficient organization. Heavy-duty pressboard construction withstands the rigors of regular referencing. Tyvek reinforcement tape helps prevent cracking and tearing along expansion gussets. Classification Folder Type: Top Tab; Size: Legal; Number of Sections: 6; Cover Material(s): 25 pt. P… |
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ACCO 25978 – Pressboard Report Cover, Prong Clip, Letter, 3 Capacity, Red-ACC25978 $3.59 Fastener easily adjusts to capacity. Hinge reinforced with Tyvek for everyday use. Space-efficient covers. Front Cover Color(s): Red; Back Cover Color(s): Red; Sheet Size: 11 x 8 1/2; Maximum Capacity Range (): 3 in…. |
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Smead 81352 – Side Opening PressGuard Report Cover, Prong Fastener, Letter, Dark Blue-SMD81352 $4.20 Ideal for monthly reports and presentations. Two-piece style cover compresses material tightly to reduce bulk. PressGuard stock with an embossed leather-grain finish is coated to resist moisture and stains. Durable matching Tyvek hinge. Prong fastener holds securely without damaging the document or binder hinge. Front Cover Color(s): Dark Blue; Back Cover Color(s): Dark Blue; Sheet Size: 11 x 8 1/… |
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Pressboard End Tab Folders, 2 Expansion, 2 Fasteners, Legal, 25/Box (SMD37715) $34.00 Smead 37715 Pressboard Folders 2″ Expansion 2 Fasteners Straight End Tab Lgl GG 25/Box… |
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Smead End Opening Pressboard Report Cover, Prong Fastener, Letter, Black, 25/Box $2.73 Two-piece style cover with matching Tyvek® hinge compresses material tightly to reduce bulk. Designed to hold securely without damaging the document or binder hinge. Front Cover Color(s): Black Back Cover Color(s): Black Sheet Size: 8 1/2 x 11 Maximum Capacity Range (“): 2 in.Unit of Measure : Each… |
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Smead 81050 – Side Opening Pressboard Report Cover, Prong Fastener, Letter, Blue, 25/Box Ideal for presentations, reports, manuscripts or other documents that require loose-leaf style binding. Two-piece style cover compresses material tightly to reduce bulk. Durable matching Tyvek hinge. Prong fastener holds securely without damaging the document or binder hinge. Front Cover Color(s): Blue; Back Cover Color(s): Blue; Sheet Size: 11 x 8 1/2; Maximum Capacity Range (): 3 in…. |
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Universal 10304 – Pressboard Classification Folders, Letter, Six-Section, Yellow, 10/Box-UNV10304 $49.09 Color-code your filing with heavy-duty covers in vivid colors. Organize and subdivide materials with 2 capacity prong fasteners inside front and back 25 pt. pressboard covers. 1 capacity metal fastener on each side of 17 pt. kraft dividers. Tyvek reinforced gusset for added durability during expansion. 2/5 cut tabs, right of center. Classification Folder Type: Top Tab; Size: Letter; Number of Sect… |
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30% Recycled Pressboard Classification Folder, Legal Size, 8-Section, Earth Red, Pack of 10 (AbilityOne 7530-01-572-6205) $105.07 Durable Tyvek(R) reinforced pleat expands up to 3in. 1in. capacity metal prong fasteners on the inside of front and back covers. There is also a 1in. prong fastener on both sides of each Kraft divider. Greener choice – pressboard and Kraft paper contains 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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30% Recycled Pressboard Classification Folder, Legal Size, 8-Section, Pale Green, Pack of 10 (AbilityOne 7530-01-572-6206) $105.07 Durable Tyvek(R) reinforced pleat expands up to 3in. 1in. capacity metal prong fasteners on the inside of front and back covers. There is also a 1in. prong fastener on both sides of each Kraft divider. Greener choice – pressboard and Kraft paper contains 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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30% Recycled Pressboard Classification Folder, Letter Size, 8-Section, Earth Red, Pack of 10 (AbilityOne 7530-01-572-6208) $97.48 Durable Tyvek(R) reinforced pleat expands up to 3in. 1in. capacity metal prong fasteners on the inside of front and back covers. There is also a 1in. prong fastener on both sides of each Kraft divider. Greener choice – pressboard and Kraft paper contains 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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30% Recycled Pressboard Classification Folder, Letter Size, 8-Section, Pale Green, Pack of 10 (AbilityOne 7530-01-572-6207) $97.48 Durable Tyvek(R) reinforced pleat expands up to 3in. 1in. capacity metal prong fasteners on the inside of front and back covers. There is also a 1in. prong fastener on both sides of each Kraft divider. Greener choice – pressboard and Kraft paper contains 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 17in., Black $8.95 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 8 1/2in., Black $4 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 8 1/2in., Dark Blue $4 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 8 1/2in., Dark Green $4 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 8 1/2in., Light Blue $4 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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ACCO(R) 60% Recycled Pressboard Binder With Fastener, Side Bound, 3in. Capacity, 11in. x 8 1/2in., Red $4 Hinges are reinforced with tear-resistant Tyvek tape 8 1/2in. center and 3in. capacity. Greener choice – contains 60% total recycled content with 30% postconsumer recycled content. |
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