MDF or Plywood for Under Sink

Tim76

Hi,

I need to replace the base of the cabinet under the kitchen sink. There was MDF in there previously but when the sink was being replaced it got soaked and warped. I was considering replacing it with ply but I will have to do a bit of indricate sawing around a couple of drainage pipes and I heard ply is difficult to saw.

Anyone out there have any experience with either materials?

sky6

Either would do if it's just for shelf and wont be getting wet. You can also get WBP water based ply which will be more resistant to water.
Any cuts or cut outs can be easily done with a Jig Saw.

Tim76

sky6 wrote: »

Either would do if it's just for shelf and wont be getting wet. You can also get WBP water based ply which will be more resistant to water.
Any cuts or cut outs can be easily done with a Jig Saw.

Cheers. No plans on it getting wet, bar an accident!

the_pen_turner

definitely stay away from mdf . you may as well put the Weetabix in there instead.
normal ply is a waste too. it will swell.
WBP (water and boil proof )ply is much better.
a few coats of varnish will seal it up a bit as well and give it a better resistance to moisture and spills/


what part of the country are you in.

an 8x4 foot sheet is 30 euro .im sure there must be someone local to you that would have a bit and cut it for you ,for a few euro.

Bonzo Delaney

the_pen_turner wrote: »

definitely stay away from mdf . you may as well put the Weetabix in there instead.
normal ply is a waste too. it will swell.
WBP (water and boil proof )ply is much better.
a few coats of varnish will seal it up a bit as well and give it a better resistance to moisture and spills/


what part of the country are you in.

an 8x4 foot sheet is 30 euro .im sure there must be someone local to you that would have a bit and cut it for you ,for a few euro.

Where are you getting your wbp ply for 30€ last place I got from a wholesaler was about 50€ must check invoice but std ply 18 mm is about 26€

Sleeper12

MDF is a definite no-no. It's all well and good saying you don't plan on it getting wet but eventually it will. I've seen cowboy window companies use it for window sills. After a few months the one over the kitchen sink starts warping, bubbling and generally looking horrible.

the_pen_turner

Bonzo Delaney wrote: »

Where are you getting your wbp ply for 30€ last place I got from a wholesaler was about 50€ must check invoice but std ply 18 mm is about 26€

im in Tipperary. iv bought wbp in loads of local suppliers and its around 30 euro an 18mm although it is going up in price lately a bit.
marine ply is about double the price of wbp at about 65euro a sheet
my local suppliers don't sell shuttering ply anymore .only buying wbp allows them to get the wbp cheaper than having both

husq

€44 a sheet of wbp in my local hardware

greep

is WBP (water and boil proof ) same as Marine Plywood?

the_pen_turner

no wbp is for when it might get wet or will occasionally

marine ply is for continues wet or even submerged in water