Particle board is a low density fiberboard, made by pressing wood particles (sawdust, wood chips, etc) together into sheets with resin and heat. It is often topped with a veneer or laminate to create the finished cabinet look.

Particle board tends to work best in drawer boxes.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Versatile in appearance
• Uses wood byproduct and recycled materials

Cons

• Least durable wood product for cabinetry
• Sags under heavy dishes, countertops, or appliances
• Easily chipped or broken
• Susceptible to moisture damage

How to Select Durable, Quality Cabinets

Finding and buying kitchen cabinets that are both durable and within your budget is achievable, thanks to a variety of cabinet materials available.

One way to get more bang for your buck around cabinet purchasing is to order RTA (or ready-to-assemble) cabinets as they come packaged in flat packages that are more affordable to ship than bulky and heavy pre-assembled cabinets.

Higher quality materials in your kitchen cabinets will provide strength, durability, longevity, and even increase home value for if or when you decide to sell. The higher the quality of materials, the longer they will last.

Inexpensive lower quality or less durable cabinets have the potential to be damaged more easily, or they may not last nearly as long as the more durable counterparts. And this means you have to replace your cabinets much quicker, which may end up costing you more in the long run.

So, when you think about investing in kitchen cabinets, remember that a little more money up front may save you more money and stress down the line. An awareness of cabinet materials will help greatly to find what materials will be strongest in the long run, so you know that your money is working for you when investing in quality kitchen cabinets.

We recommend opting for durable, strong cabinet materials such as engineered wood, wood veneers, PET laminate, or thermal-fused thermofoil on good quality MDF or plywood, or solid wood (if you have the budget).