Building cabinets seems pretty straightforward; you only have to connect parts using various joinery options, right? There’s very little to consider when it comes to the design, and they look almost identical to each other. But many builders often wonder which is a better choice for their wood: 3/4 or 1/2 plywood?
3/4 plywood has always been the go-to for cabinets because it makes everything simpler for you. The thickness allows you to use European-style hinges and makes it easier for the wood to hold screws. However, if you’re trying to minimize the cabinet’s weight, 1/2 plywood is still a good option.
Choosing between the two is pretty straightforward, but there are still a few things that you need to consider. We’ll discuss all of them in great detail to help you build better cabinets that work fine. Stick around to figure out when is the right time to use both plywoods for building cabinets.
Importance of Thickness in Cabinets
Before anything else, let’s get something out of the way — don’t expect any sheet of plywood to have the exact measurement. Even the same plywood coming from the same processing plant will have a massive difference in their thickness. Several factors affect a plywood’s consistency, so it would be best to go for the exact specifications you follow when building cabinets.
- 1/2" x 11-13/16" x 11-13/16" Baltic Birch Plywood - B/BB Grade (Package of 3)
- Material : Baltic Birch Plywood - B/BB Grade.
- Heavy-Duty : The thick layers of this Baltic Birch Plywood are intended to easily cut through saws and laser cutters, making it the ideal plywood for any production woodwork.
Last update on 2023-06-13 at 07:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Plywood thickness is a crucial factor that you need to consider when building plywood cabinets such as kitchen cabinets, or with any cabinet assembly, because it affects many of the things that you need to complete the project i.e. type of hinge, screw and nail used. For example, if you’re going to use European-style hinges, using 3/4 plywood is a better option because it gives you enough space to work around. Thicker plywood also holds screws much better, providing you with better joinery choices.
The crucial part of any kitchen cabinet or kitchen cabinet, though, is its ability to hold weight. If you’re building vertical kitchen cabinets, 1/2 plywood is strong enough and is often more than enough for general use. However, you need to provide proper support for it because it still tends to bow over time. Using 1/2 plywood for a horizontal kitchen cabinet isn’t ideal because it’ll sag after putting on some weight.
For cabinet manufacturers thickness often determines durability and stability. That’s why most builders opt to use 3/4 plywood for all of their cabinets. Even if you’re planning to sell them to other people and let your customers choose the material you’ll use, most of them will choose a much thicker, more expensive 3/4 plywood.
Why Do Some Builders Use 1/2 Plywood?
Most builders will opt for 3/4 plywood when working on cabinets, but some prefer to use 1/2 for their projects because of weight and price concerns. Nowadays, the difference in price between 1/2 and 3/4 is negligible, especially if it gives you at least 50% more thickness, and the project you’re working on isn’t large scale.
In my experience building cabinets and drawers, 1/2 plywood only becomes useful for drawer sides, sometimes, bottoms, and cabinet backs. These parts don’t carry as much weight, and using thinner plywood to cut down on costs won’t be a problem. However, if you’re working on shelves, fronts, and panels, it would be best to use 3/4 plywood for better strength.
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If you only need one sheet for your project, there’s almost no reason to cut down on cost because the price difference is negligible. However, if you work on bigger projects that may require 3-5 sheets, using 1/2 plywood to save on costs becomes a more compelling reason. Remember, every dollar that you save goes to more materials or better tools that you can use for your next project.
Weight is another reason why you’d want to use 1/2 plywood for your cabinets and cabinetry. But you should only use it if you’re going for an exact specification. In most cases, the weight of a cabinet is not as important as the weight it can hold. The choice will depend on the type of cabinet or kitchen cabinet you’re trying to build and how you’re going to use it.
Is 1/2 Plywood a Bad Choice for Cabinets?
1/2 is lighter than 3/4, but it doesn’t mean that it’s a bad choice for cabinets and cabinetry. In fact, some professionals suggest using 1/2 plywood because it’s strong enough to build most cabinets. They even think that using 3/4 plywood is an overbuild for cabinets, and you may be increasing your costs unnecessarily.
- My shop provides the custom order, if you need any sizes not included, please feel free to contact me
- 1/2" or 12mm thick
- Measurements: 24" x 24"
Last update on 2023-06-13 at 07:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Most production cabinets that you’re likely to find in the market only use 1/2 particleboard. Hence, it’s good enough if you’ll use it for cabinets. But if you want to be sure of the quality, you can never go wrong with 3/4 plywood. Plus, if you’re only working on a small project that only needs a sheet or two, you don’t really have to cheap out on the materials.
Sometimes, builders who want to use 1/2 plywood let their customers decide. They’re only transparent with the pricing, and they ensure that their buyers know the pros and cons of each option.
Should You Really Use 3/4 Plywood in Every Project?
Most cabinets are better with 3/4 plywood, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you should use it in every project. Like many woodworks, the wood you’re going to use will depend on various factors, including the overall cost. In general, 3/4 is a much better option because of the many advantages that you can get from it.
- Nominal Size: 3/4" x 12 x 12 (Actual Size: 3/4" x 11 13/16" x 11 13/16") Baltic Birch Plywood - B/BB Grade (Package of 3)
- Material : Baltic Birch Plywood - B/BB Grade.
- Heavy-Duty : The thick layers of this Baltic Birch Plywood are intended to easily cut through saws and laser cutters, making it the ideal plywood for any production woodwork.
Last update on 2023-06-13 at 07:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
However, using 1/2 plywood isn’t that bad. You have to make some adjustments, but it’s good enough for you to use in cabinets. So it still depends on what you’re trying to build, the specifications you need, and the budget you have for the project.
If you’re going for a heavy, sturdy cabinet, 3/4 is a better option for you. It’ll serve you well, and if you’re going to sell your projects, it may even sell faster than the ones that use 1/2 plywood. But if you’re following exact specifications or you’re trying to reduce the cost of your cabinets, there’s nothing wrong with using 1/2 plywood.
Building a Sturdier Cabinet With Only 1/2 Plywood
3/4 plywood is a better option for cabinets—no doubt about that. But if you’re following exact specifications, is it possible to make your project sturdier? The answer would depend on your cabinet case and the frame that you’re using for it.
If your cabinet doesn’t have any bracing to support weight, using a 1/2 plywood can raise questions about its durability. But if you can add braces, especially for horizontal cabinets, then 1/2 should be more than enough. Another option that you can do is to layer the plywood or plywood sheet over a framework. This setup provides enough strength for your cabinet to support weight, allowing you to use even a 1/4 plywood.
Another option you can do is to use lumber core plywood. It’s what I would recommend for small projects that follow exact specifications. It’s sturdier and looks nicer than plywood that you can get from small lumber dealers. There’s a caveat to using lumber core, though; it’s a bit more expensive. So, for bigger projects that don’t require exact specifications, 3/4 plywood is still a better option.
Conclusion
3/4 plywood is the best option you have for cabinets, whether that be for wall cabinets, kitchen cabinets or for a cabinet door. It gives you several joinery choices and makes it easier for you to build one. Aside from this, it also offers better durability, which is a common concern when it comes to cabinets.
However, it doesn’t mean that you should stay away from using 1/2 plywood for cabinets. In fact, most production cabinets you’ll find use the same thickness. Durability and stability may be a concern, but 1/2 plywood is solid for general use and will hold well.