I've done what you're planning on doing. My doors had MDF in the middle and after 6 years (with 3 young kids!) they held up fine. I wouldn't hand paint them... have a painter spray them with primer and 2 coats. Check the price difference between solid wood and MDF and see if that cost is worth it to you.

If you're not sure the interior will paint well, you can always do frosted glass. I friend of mine did some type of frosted rice paper glass (which I had never heard of before!) and it looked great. You may have thermofoil on your cabinets. That doesn't paint well!

I hadn't thought of frosted glass. I'll look into that!

Thermofoil? That's probably it. Does that mean my cabinets are not very well made?

The wood is not that much more than the MDF and affordable.

I was thinking of painting them myself. Not sure about the cost of having someone else do it for me.

To partially answer question #1: we're getting solid wood shaker doors with essentially a reversed raised panel, so it's flat on the outside, raised on the inside. It's thicker than 1/4" that way. I was worried about 1/4" being too flimsy too, but have no actual experience with this.

Another option that I've seen lately, rather than painting the inside of your cabinets is to put up a pretty paper or wall paper. I've seen great results with that.

[eclectic family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2104) by minneapolis interior designer Martha O'Hara Interiors

[eclectic kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by sydney media and blogs Ish and Chi

[eclectic family room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2104) by san francisco interior designer Kelly Scanlon Interior Design

And this one shows a china cabinet with glass doors and wallpaper on the back:
http://www.inthefunlane.com/2010/01/french-provincial-cabinet.html

http://www.shelterness.com/5-ideas-for-decorating-with-wallpaper-anything-but-not-walls/pictures/924/

Good luck with your cabinets :)

I've purchased both from Barker.
My plan is to buy a bunch more for my laundry room, where I'll use the MDF. I can't speak for anyone else, but painting them myself using my oil-based primer and 2 coats, they come out beautifully.

As far as thermafoil? I doubt it on the inside. I'm thinking it's probably a veneer, which is common. It's tough to paint but can be done. Again, sanding, adhesive primer this time, and 2 coats. I did it a year or two ago and they're standing up fine.

I like Sherr's, and they're very responsive via email. But I'm a shopper who deliberates over and over before I buy. I like Barker's where I can pop in the doors and get my rough estimate without bothering anyone. Plus, Barker's instructions? Cannot be beat.

As to 1/4" center panel vs. raised: We had to make this decision, and had ordered sample doors in both styles. To be completely honest, I couldn't remember which one we chose! (So I guess it did not seem like a big deal either way.) I just installed the doors today (YAY!), and it turns out we ordered the 1/4" veneer plywood center panel. Seems just fine to me. Quite solid.

Oh, we bought ours from Scherr's, and, as Christine points out, they are responsive to email (and deliver a great product).

The inside could be all melamine (low pressure laminate); melamine with vinyl on the inside back and sides of the cabinet box;, wood veneer on plywood shelves with one of the above on the sides and back; all veneer plywood, or all vinyl on particle board or mdf.

What color is the inside?

Can't help out with most of this, but I have had shaker style recessed doors (Kraftmaid) with the "flimsy center" for 9 years. They still look brand new after living through 3 sets of toddler years - lots of sticky fingers, deliberate door banging and the occasional swing ride on the door!

THANKS everyone! I started another thread on Barker and Scherr doors.

I think I'll give up on the glass doors. Sounds like a lot of work to paint them! I love the look of the open cabinet but my DH says no no no no. :) I guess he thinks my cabinets are too messy :)