Natural wood cabinets stained to a medium shade so that the wood grain stands out and so the cabinets pair well with the black marble countertops and backsplash.

One of the hottest debates in the remodeling world is whether solid wood or engineered wood cabinets are better. But the truth? This is like arguing whether fireflies or lightning bugs are superior — they’re just two different terms for the same thing.

Contrary to popular belief, solid wood cabinet boxes aren't actually made of solid wood at all. Instead, they're typically constructed using engineered wood such as plywood or melamine over a particle board core (PBC) — materials that often outperform traditional solid wood in terms of durability, stability, and overall performance.

So, are solid wood cabinets worth the investment? Absolutely! But only because they’re not actually made from 100% wood. Let’s take a closer look at how solid wood cabinets got their name and why they have cabinet boxes made of plywood, melamine, or HDF/MDF (high-density fiberboard or medium density fiberboard).

Why Are They Called Solid Wood Cabinets if They’re Not 100% Wood?

While the internet has allowed us all to become more independent and tackle home projects with confidence, it has also led to a few confusions — one of which is what solid wood cabinetry actually means. When homeowners began to decipher manufacturer specifications without the help of an experienced contractor, they misinterpreted “solid wood cabinets” to mean each component was crafted from solid timber. In actuality, any mention of solid wood in the specs often pertained to the cabinet doors or drawer fronts rather than the cabinet boxes themselves (which are typically crafted from plywood, melamine, or HDF/MDF).

Dark stained Knotty Alder wood cabinets in a home bar, complementing the granite countertops and black refrigerator.

Today, creating cabinets with engineered wood materials remains a practical design choice. After all, true solid wood is prone to issues like warping, cracking, and expansion due to changes in humidity and temperature. Plywood, HDF/MDF, and melamine, on the other hand, are engineered to resist these challenges, providing a more stable foundation for your cabinetry.

Wouldn’t Solid Wood Cabinets Be Better Than Plywood or MDF?

At first thought, you might think a cabinet made entirely from solid wood would be an excellent design choice. After all, wood has a timeless beauty and has been used in furniture making for centuries. But here’s why it’s not the ideal choice for cabinet boxes:

Prone to Warping and Cracking: Solid wood reacts dramatically to changes in temperature and humidity. Over time, this can lead to warping, splitting, or cracking. For cabinet boxes, which need to stay perfectly square to ensure the doors and drawers function properly, this instability is a big problem.

Heavier Than Necessary: Solid wood is much heavier than engineered materials like plywood, Melamine, or MDF. This extra weight doesn’t translate to better performance — in fact, it can strain hinges and hardware, leading to premature wear.

Higher Cost Without Added Benefits: While 100% wood cabinets may sound luxurious, the higher cost doesn’t equate to better durability or longevity. You would essentially be paying more for a product that’s less stable and more prone to issues.

In short, solid wood has its place — and that’s in the decorative elements of your cabinets, like the doors and drawer fronts, rather than the structural components.

The Many Benefits of Plywood & Melamine Cabinet Boxes

White cabinets and cabinet boxes made with high-quality engineered wood and designed to complement the chevron backsplash and stainless steel appliances.

Engineered wood materials like plywood and melamine have revolutionized cabinetry, providing unbeatable performance at a much more affordable cost compared to 100% wood. If you’re thinking about installing new custom cabinets, take a look at the top benefits of choosing plywood or melamine cabinet boxes:

Superior Stability

Plywood and melamine cabinets are engineered to resist warping and cracking. This means they’re less affected by temperature and humidity changes and are ideal for environments like kitchens and bathrooms where moisture levels fluctuate.

Lightweight Construction

Plywood cabinets, in particular, offer an impressive strength-to-weight ratio. The plywood, made with multiple layers of wood veneer, is strong enough to support heavy countertops without adding unnecessary bulk, ensuring your cabinetry functions smoothly for years to come.

Smooth, Even Surfaces

Melamine is prized for its ultra-smooth surface, which means your cabinets will look flawless, whether you choose a white melamine surface or a hardrock maple melamine (which looks like natural wood grain).

Long-Lasting Durability

Plywood and melamine provide long-lasting durability, making these cabinets an incredible option that pays for itself over time. You’ll find yourself saying, “Why not splurge on matching stone countertops or custom storage solutions? After all, these cabinets will last for years to come.”

Eco-Friendly Options

Many cabinet materials are made from recycled or sustainably sourced components, making them a greener choice for environmentally conscious homeowners.

HDF vs. Solid Wood Cabinet Doors: Which Is the Best Option?

While it’s a much better idea to use engineered wood over solid wood for cabinet boxes, when it comes to the doors, you have a bit more flexibility. Depending on the design you wish to achieve, you can choose between HDF vs. solid wood cabinet doors.

Cabinet doors and drawer fronts on the kitchen island made from high-density fiberboard and painted blue for a smooth finish that beautifully contrasts the hardwood floors and white countertop.

Using high-density fiberboard (HDF) for painted cabinet doors offers significant advantages in achieving a flawless, smooth finish. HDF is dense and uniform, which minimizes the risk of warping or visible grain patterns that can appear through paint when using solid wood. This makes it ideal for creating clean, contemporary designs with consistent color and texture.

Kitchen designed with solid wood cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Some have a lighter stain while others have a darker stain for a more natural look.

On the other hand, solid wood is the preferred choice for stained cabinet doors due to its natural beauty and unique grain patterns that stain highlights. In fact, solid wood provides a rich, organic aesthetic that enhances the warmth and character of any cabinetry.

Do you love the look of painted and stained cabinets? With Sean’s Cabinetry, you have the ability to mix and match cabinetry for the perfect design. By combining HDF for painted doors and solid wood for stained ones, you achieve the best of both worlds — durability, precision, and a high-quality finish tailored to the specific aesthetic requirements of your space.

Design the Perfect Wood Cabinets With Sean’s Cabinetry

A kitchen designed with white HDF cabinets on the perimeter and wood cabinets with the grain visible on the island.

Have you heard the old adage, "They don't make them like they used to"? While this is usually used in a negative connotation, when it comes to cabinet construction, this is actually a good thing! Modern wood materials have significant benefits over traditional solid wood cabinets, so you can get more value for your money.

If you’re considering new kitchen or bathroom cabinets, turn to the experts at Sean’s Cabinetry. We design and install cabinets with high-quality plywood or melamine materials. In fact, as a custom shop, we have access to and use a much higher quality panel for cabinet construction — this means you’ll get cabinetry with much more dense panel material that holds up far better than that found in the big box stores. And if you love the timeless beauty of natural wood grain, we can add solid wood cabinet doors that are as unique as your kitchen design. Contact us today to start designing the cabinets of your dreams!

Are Solid Wood Cabinets Worth the Investment?