Real Wood Cabinets vs. Particle Board and MDF

Real Wood Cabinets vs. Particle Board and MDF

July 11, 2019

If you’re looking to replace your kitchen or bathroom cabinets, you probably already know you have a lot of options. Your general contractor in Fort Worth, TX may have many options for material, such as real solid wood as well as wood composite materials, like particle board and MDF. While MDF might be cheaper, you may be wondering what downsides come with choosing this less expensive material. Read on to learn everything you need to know about choosing real wood, particle board or MDF for your new cabinets.

The facts behind particle board and MDF

MDF and particle board are cheaper alternatives to wood, and many people who are renovating or replacing their kitchen cabinets go for this option. MDF, or medium density fiberboard, is a type of engineered wood. It consists of thin panels made from wood fiber, resin and wax. It’s a type of engineered wood, like plywood, though stronger.

There are pros and cons to MDF. It does offer a lower initial cost of investment. MDF is also highly customizable, as pieces can be made in many different shapes and sizes. However, MDF is a lower quality material, and as such, can be scratched easily. Scratches, dents and other damage, once present, are hard to repair. Particle board is also damaged by humidity and moisture. It causes the material to swell and deteriorate. Since most cabinets are in kitchens and bathrooms, which are more humid areas, it’s not a great material for these rooms. MDF also doesn’t do well when exposed to extreme heat. The core materials become permanently damaged by high temperatures, so MDF is definitely not a good choice for cabinets in the garage or other areas exposed to consistently high temperatures.

Real wood cabinets

While real wood is more expensive than MDF or particle board, it is also a much higher quality material. Solid wood has been used in furniture for millennia. As opposed to MDF, which includes resin and other materials, real wood is completely solid wood and 100 percent natural. This makes the material much stronger and more durable than engineered wood products. Cabinets made from real wood will last decades and are strong enough to stand up to the test of time.

The aesthetic value of wood is also greater than that of MDF, as wood is unique and beautiful in its natural state. It is also much more resistant to water than MDF, and won’t swell or warp as easily, which makes it a much better choice for kitchens, bathrooms and other potentially humid areas. Scratches or other damage can also be sanded down and repaired much more easily than on MDF or particle board.

If you’re looking for a general contractor in Fort Worth, TX to install real wood cabinets in your home, New Creation Construction is the go-to contractor for helping homeowners throughout the area. Our experts have been providing excellent customer service and quality results for over 30 years, and your remodel will be customized and tailored to your needs and dreams. Call us today for a consultation!

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