Short answer: yes. It is even better than solid wood in some areas. It is built from recycled materials, so it qualifies as environment-friendly. MDFs handle changes in humidity and heat very well, without expanding or contracting. These types of cabinets can be milled in once-piece frames, with the possibility of cutting the center to create designs.

Definitely, it is one way to maintain them over the years. Just make sure you clean it first and use medium grit sandpaper very lightly to smoothen out the surface (if any defects appeared in the meantime).

To put it simply it is a very cost-effective option, it is relatively cheap and can last a long time. It is also a very versatile material that can fit in any kitchen design. For aesthetic purposes, you can choose a high gloss variant that will make your kitchen look brighter and more spacious. It also fits well in combination with many types of floor tiles.

There are several pros and cons to consider if you are looking for a MDF-based kitchen cabinet. We’ve already talked about some of them, but we’ll list more here. We hope some of the following points will help you in your decision.

Pros

• Affordable, especially if you require large pieces of wood for your project.
• High moisture resistance variants are available, depending on your situation and climate.
• Very easy to customize, so you can rest assured that you will receive your cabinet exactly as you wanted it. There are also many colors to choose from.
• No visible grain makes for a smoother finish and a sense of elegance and consistency to your kitchen.
• Few cracking or warping issues, you can expect to never experience damage on your cabinet caused by expansion and contraction.
• It is eco-friendly, made from recycled wood.
• Minimum bug-infestation issues, meaning that because of its materials, pests will avoid chewing on it.

Cons

• It is a tough material to work with, so it is not ideal to attempt to modify it on your own. It can even blunt your tools if you are not careful.
• Does not retain value over time, so they won’t provide long-term value for your home.
• While it does have some resistance to cuts and scratching, when does do happen, MDF cabinets are not repaired easily. You may need to use a material to fill the marks or replace the entire part.
• We did say it is resistant to heat and humidity fluctuations, but it does not work well in extreme heat, one of the reasons it is not a good choice for outdoor furniture.
• The lack of natural grain may not be preferred by some people.
• This type of cabinet cannot be stained, so your only decorating option is paint. It is also not recommended to use spray primers as the material will soak and start to swell.

Generally, MDF is cheaper than plywood, but this depends on the thickness and the grade of the material. In an aesthetic sense, plywood is made with wood strips so its surface looks more like real wood than MDF, which may be an important factor for some people.

Quite denser than plywood, MDF weighs more, which may be an issue if you need to lift or clamp panels in an elevated spot such as for upper kitchen cabinets.

MDF will create more sawdust when cuts than plywood, so you will need to take this into considerations if you are working with it. It is recommended to be in a well-ventilated area and wear some kind of face cover and goggles.

Do you plan to paint your cabinet (if it has not already been done)? Then MDF is the better choice. Is staining what you would prefer? Then plywood would be the better option because of its wood-like grains and finish. We’ve already talked about this, but MDF is generally not preferred for outdoor projects. If that’s what you would like to do, then plywood may be worth considering.

Wood has definitely been around more and has built a reputation for its reliability. It is strong and sturdy, so it will last you for decades and it is pleasing to look at. Its beautiful grain is a sought-after feature and there are many ways you can customize your cabinet with it. You also have a number of variants to choose from (maple, cherry, birch, etc.) and it will increase the value of your home overall.

On the minus side, it is susceptible to damage (in an unfinished state) and warping/cracking as it tends to expand and contract a lot. Another thing to keep in mind and something that many homeowners have observed, is that wood is more vulnerable to pest attacks that engineered wood (MDF), so regular maintenance and finish are required to keep it well protected.

Many types of customizations are also available for MDF, mostly related to color, size, and proprieties. The main difference between them is the lack of grains, which is appreciated by some and loathed by others who prefer the natural look that wood provides. Still as strong as wood, MDF can also last quite long with proper maintenance.

An important mention here is the existence of a fire retardant variant for MDF, which may be important in certain cases. Both of those options are good, so we cannot simply say that one is better than the other, each having advantages and disadvantages. As a general rule, however, MDF is especially preferred for cabinet doors as its benefits outweigh wood’s in this case.

This is highly dependent on where you live, so it is best to ask around other people to share their experiences. Websites like Quora may provide some helpful references. Here are some websites people shared: eKitchen, winniepegcowry and overstock. You can also find them at retail sites like Amazon, eBay and Alibaba. You can also look at our Top 10 Kitchen cabinet makers in China.

This depends on the size of your cabinets, but you can keep in mind a price of $60 to $250 for stock cabinets, $100 to $600 for semi-custom ones, and $500 to 1300$ per linear foot for high-end, custom cabinets.

Talk to your suppliers and he will give you a better price estimate with respect to your needed dimensions. Keep in mind that there are also installation costs, which may be reduced by hiring a handyman. However, if said handyman doesn’t do a proper job, your costs may go up once more.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind while searching for your MDF kitchen cabinets.

1. Identify floor plan

Ideally, you should already have access to them, but if you don’t there are a few things you can try:

• Talk to the contractor that built your house, they usually keep floor plans;
• The tax office of your country or municipality should have an archive section where you can find help in locating your floor plans. They usually have information related to the original owner, building permits, and even a set of blueprints;
• Builders need to apply for permits before buildings houses, these are located in the building inspector’s office. Talk to clerics in the city or town hall for possible locations of this office.
• You can try speaking to your neighbors. Buildings in an area tend to have similar designs, so they may have their floor plans and with some luck, they are very similar in design to yours. Or maybe they can point you in some other direction.
• If nothing else works, you can hire an architect or a structural engineer who can use a set of measurements to recreate a floor plan for your house;

2. Consider the expected budget and function of the cabinet

It is vital to establish a budget so you can start looking for the perfect cabinet. By choosing a specific limit to the amount you are willing or able to spend, you can narrow down your choices in regard to design and materials. There are the two main components you can play with since dimensions are usually a rather strict aspect.

How large is your kitchen? Do you expect many cuts and scratches on the surfaces? What color do you have on your floor, what material? By asking these kinds of questions, you will get closer to finding out what you need.

You must consider your own situation first, and then the available choices will become more clear.

3. Determine materials and make quotations

Related to the previous point, determine materials and amounts with respect to your needs. Look towards more durable materials if you expect rough treatments to your countertops. Think before choosing marble or similar materials if you do tend to scratch surfaces with knives or other sharp objects. Consider the aesthetic qualities of the cabinet, how does it fit with the rest of the furniture. Is the color going to be in good contrast with the floor tiles?

4. Confirm design

After careful consideration, and taking into account aesthetics and functionality, decide, roughly how your shaker cabinet will look like. Next, confirm your idea with the supplier. Inquire about the availability of your design and chosen materials and wait for a response. You can even ask them for an opinion or recommendation.

5. Pay deposit and schedule production

Once your supplier answered and your design is available or they proposed some alternatives and you agreed, decide the timetable. How long will it take to be made? When will it be delivered? It is important to know this information beforehand and suppliers are obligated to provide it to you. After you agree to the details of the production, pay the deposit so you assure your supplier that you won’t just change your mind mid-production. This differs from company to company, but the deposit can go up to 50% of the total price (even more perhaps) and the rest is going to be paid on delivery. Again, this is to ensure seriousness. You are entitled to a full refund if the order is not fulfilled.