Hardwood Vs Plywood: Which Kitchen Cabinet Material Is Better?

There's nothing like the excitement of picking out materials for a kitchen renovation. From sourcing the perfect countertop to choosing the best paint color, the devil is in the details. But the most expensive part of the remodel? Replacing the kitchen cabinets. Two popular cabinet materials you've likely encountered are hardwood and plywood. Either can be a great addition to your kitchen, depending on your needs, budget, and style. When pitting these cabinet types up against one another, hardwood is typically the winner in terms of longevity, durability, and timeless beauty. However, if budget is a major concern, quality plywood cabinetry is an excellent solution with many styles, colors, and stain options available.

The first step in choosing between the two is to break down your overall renovation budget to see what you can allocate toward cabinetry. Your personal style and the frequency at which you expect to replace cabinets are also important considerations. A look at the pros and cons of each material will uncover which is better for you: hardwood versus plywood kitchen cabinets.

Let's start with one of the most impressive benefits of choosing hardwood cabinets — they can last decades, more than 50 years when properly maintained. If the goal of your kitchen remodel is to create a timeless space that you won't need to redo in your lifetime, choosing a hardwood cabinet in a classic motif can't be beat. Hardwood cabinets are also the MVP when it comes to natural beauty, and can be left in their natural color (with a protective topcoat) or stained to better suit your kitchen design.

Hardwood cabinets also stand out because they're easily repairable. Unlike cabinets made of MDF or those with a veneer, solid wood cabinets can be sanded down and refinished multiple times. And as long as you pick a timeless kitchen cabinet style, like the classic shaker design, you won't have to worry about them falling out of style.

Of course, the durability and timelessness of hardwood cabinets come at a cost (literally). Hardwood is a more expensive material than plywood, and it can be challenging to find cost-effective RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets made entirely of solid wood. Instead, many hardwood off-the-shelf or RTA cabinets feature MDF or plywood boxes with solid wood doors, leaving those looking for hardwood cabinets to pay the high price of custom cabinetry. There's one other important con to note: hardwood cabinets can warp if in a space with high humidity or extreme temperature fluctuations.

Are you wondering if plywood cabinets are a good choice for your home? They might be. If you're not familiar, plywood is made by layering pieces of wood veneer (thin slices of wood) and bonding them together. Plywood can be a great cabinet material; however, there are several factors to consider, including the grade and type of wood. Plywood for cabinetry is available in grades A, B, C, and D. Grade A is typically used for higher-end cabinets and features a smooth surface with no visible defects. On the other end of the spectrum, grade D plywood is the lowest quality, and can have knots and knot holes up to 5 inches in diameter. Plywood can be made from various wood types, ranging from hardwoods to softwoods, providing buyers with a comparable range of choices to those found in hardwood cabinetry.

Another great benefit? Plywood cabinets with wood veneers can mimic the look of hardwood cabinets at a fraction of the price. Alternatively, you can find them in all of today's most popular solid colors, including white, gray, and blue. If you want to keep your budget in check, these cabinets are easy to find as ready-to-assemble options online or at your favorite home improvement store.

However, like solid wood cabinetry, plywood can also warp when exposed to excess humidity or temperature fluctuations. Plus, those with a veneer may peel or chip over time due to natural wear and tear. While it remains a long-lasting cabinet material, the lifespan of a plywood cabinet is only about half that of a hardwood cabinet, lasting 25 to 30 years.