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What Sort of Wood to Use for Small Cupboard (MDF or PLY)

  • 09-04-2013 9:08am
    #1
    johnwest288
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 665 ✭✭✭


    Right so Im going to make a small cupboard under my stair case with a door. What sort of wood does one normally use for this purpose (shelves and internal structure). I reckon MDF would be fine for the shelves inside 3/4 Inch thick and the back and to make the internal roof and floor and sides. But the swinging door. Am i right in thinking I should use Plywood for this as with the inevitable opening and closing of the door the screws into the MDF will start to loosen after a while?


Comments

  • #2
    dodzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,153 ✭✭✭✭dodzy


    johnwest288 wrote: »
    Right so Im going to make a small cupboard under my stair case with a door. What sort of wood does one normally use for this purpose (shelves and internal structure). I reckon MDF would be fine for the shelves inside 3/4 Inch thick and the back and to make the internal roof and floor and sides. But the swinging door. Am i right in thinking I should use Plywood for this as with the inevitable opening and closing of the door the screws into the MDF will start to loosen after a while?

    Done it more than once. I've also covered the door(s) with T&G panelling once finished. Takes that plain MDF look off it. 3 decent hinges fit for purpose and you'll be fine.


  • #3
    CJhaughey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,907 ✭✭✭✭CJhaughey


    I wouldn't use MDF for shelves, it starts to bend and flex after a while.
    Real wood would be better.


  • #4
    dodzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,153 ✭✭✭✭dodzy


    CJhaughey wrote: »
    I wouldn't use MDF for shelves, it starts to bend and flex after a while.
    Real wood would be better.

    Not if they are put up correctly. Unlikely that under stairs shelving would be exposed to any great weights either.


  • #5
    jack of all
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,376 ✭✭✭jack of all


    I'm not a fan of MDF for shelving either, does tend to sag over time unless you beef up the leading edge in some way and fix a rigid backing board. Melamine faced chipboard makes a good interior shelving material, if you take measures to prevent chipping when cutting it.


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