are you building them yourself?

No, the cabinet companies offer the two options. It seems there are pros and cons with each. The MDF also strikes me as having a 'flatter' appearance than the wood doors, but I could be wrong.

IMO painted cabinets are best MDF it does not expand and contract like wood so not little cracks appear where the pieces meet .

"The MDF also strikes me as having a 'flatter' appearance than the wood doors, but I could be wrong."

And you would not be wrong. It is fine to use MDF for the flat panel in a Shaker-style 5-piece door, but if you're thinking of using MDF for the stiles and rails, or a raised panel, think again.

Thank you. These are helpful tips! We have a slight preference for wood, although we understand the issue with cracks.

And it is best to have plywood for the cabinet box, rather than particle board, correct?

A single piece CNC routed one piece double refined MDF door is the best choice for painted. Its the highest industry quality available for a paint substrate. Anything else will move more, have paint cracking, and be less durable. Wood moves way too much with seasonal moisture changes. Anyone who thinks wood is ”better” is suffering from a lack of knowledge snd severe wood prejudice.

We also heard that there can problems down the line with screws on MDF doors. It does seem that both carry their disadvantages. Thank you!

MDF is actually denser than wood. It should dent less. Unless they are using a low quality material. High quality MDF is actually used in exterior sign production because its so durable.

No knowledgeable cabinet builder uses screws in MDF. Confirmat fittings and press in place hinge plates are what are used.

I've not witnessed the denting and corner crushing personally, Verbo, it's just what my installer has told me. So maybe that isn't true. I'll ask which brand it was and check the specs on the quality of MDF.

Wouldn't a stress test on both types be great to see? Like a consumer reports type abuse to a door and see which one performs better?

My only other concern is what happens when there are chips that aren't taken care of and the MDF gets wet?

Same thing that happens with wood and abusive and neglectful behavior. Damage. And potentially the need to replace if the neglect to touch up isn’t handled. But the doublevrefined or exterior grade MDF won’t be as water damaged as the wood will be.

Thanks verb....guess I need to rethink MDF.

"A single piece CNC routed one piece double refined MDF door is the best choice for painted. Its the highest industry quality available for a paint substrate."

@User - can you please say a couple cabinet companies that make their doors like that? It is very difficult to find out that level of detail - usually you just get a response that the cabinet company makes an MDF door, period. Would really like to know which ones offer what you described. TIA

IN reference to the particle board / plywood question - it depends on who you talk to. Visually your kitchen will look exactly the same as long as you do finished exposed ends. For shelving, I have found that particle board is stronger and less likely to bow than plywood ( personal experience ). Plywood does have a better screw holding capability, however most cabinets have the hinges screwed into the face frame which is solid wood .

I have particle board cabinets - I could not justify the added expense of plywood. I have absolutely no issues - and I had 2 leaks under my sink! The only thing that happened was that the material used to finish the particle board discolored and got a wrinkle in it. Nothing swelled up or fell apart.

I also have a coffeemaker sitting right under the end of a cabinet so the hot steam goes right on the exposed edge of the particle board, underneath the cabinet and up the side of the cabinet. It has been 16 years and they look exactly the same as the day they were installed.

Good luck with your choices!!

Thanks, Debbi. This is all very helpful!

Look for a local custom shop with a CNC.

Thank you Debbi! But I do have a concern, did the particle board outgas the first few years? I am chemically sensitive.

I am sure it probably did, but I never felt anything from it. Plywood off gasses as well , so you are not completely out of the woods. I do know that the cabinets I bought were CARB compliant which is a stringent air quality compliance in California.

Look for that when shopping for cabinets

We had particle board cabinets (30 years) that did swell once (only finished with paint on top and sides) under the sink. Even then we coped with it. We couldn’t afford a kitchen remodel at the time, and our handyman glued on a thin sheet of plastic veneer over it that matched our painted particle board cabinets. Voila! Problem dealt with and few people would ever know it happened except with close inspection. Of course now we desire to remodel, and replace our old kitchen and so I also enter the debate..MDF painted, vs Maple painted, vs Maple stained. Lowes Schuler vs custom cabinets. Thanx for the discussion..