Expert: Jamie Yocono - 2/1/2011

Question
QUESTION: I am removing existing center panels of built-in kitchen cabinetry for a client and then creating new panels.  These panels will be installed like glass panels, but with tabs that will hold the panels in place AND allow to later remove them and replace with other panels. Upper cabinets, lower cabinets and island will all receive DIFFERENT surfaced cabinet panels.  Each of these panels will be decoratively painted.  My question is: out of what kind of material should I make these panels??  High Density fiberboard or MDF? And should I order with a melamine veneered backing, or prime and paint?  Thank you so much!

ANSWER: Hi Lee,

The best solution for those panels is a material that would be dimensionally stable throughout whatever seasonal humidity variations you will experience. That means staying away from solid wood that will shrink or swell with the seasons.

I would recommend using MDF or a high quality plywood, like Baltic Birch plywood. MDF would probably be best, and since you're going to be painting it. It would be a perfect surface for that.

You probably want to stay away from a melamine faced sheet of MFD - the paint will peel away from the melamine. Just plain MDF will be better for what you're doing.

Good luck, hope this helps.

Jamie in Vegas

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Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Actually, I knew to basically stay away from a simple piece of wood - and was rather leary of plywood....  Is there a high density MDF that can have a melamine on one side?  AND be only 1/4 inch thick? The melamine is/will be towards the inside of the cabinet: for water resistance and easy clean, not to be painted upon [although I would disagree with you here about adhering to melamine, as I have successfully painted it, and it stands up well to use - the KEY is the prep, primer and seal coat]. Would not the back-side of the MDF, [if using non-melamine-clad MDF]need to also be sealed/painted so as not to warp?  Thank you so much for your help!!

Answer
Lee,

Yes, there is a 1/4" melamine panel that is plain MDF on the back and melamine covering on the front. I've used it often for drawer bottoms. You do, however, have to be a little careful about painting one side of the panel, and leaving the other side just with the melamine. Treating the two sides differently can sometimes make the panel react in odd ways - mostly with warping/cupping.

However, those clips that you're going to use to hold the panels in place should do a pretty good job of keeping the panel mostly flat. I think you'll be fine.

If you're worried, you might want to treat a sample panel and see how it reacts. I think you'll be OK, but a test panel would let you sleep at night!

Good luck, write back if you need more answers,

Jamie in Vegas


____________
Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com
My woodworking blog: www.wooditis.blogspot.com