Expert: Jamie Yocono - 7/7/2006

Question
Jamie, I am getting ready to build a tall kitchen pantry cabinet that will have it's back facing the side of my refrigerator. I am building the sides, face and doors from hickory stained a butternut color. Since the back is only visable around the refrigerator I hate to spend the money on hickory veneer or plywood. I have seen a hardwood plywood offered at Lowes called Blondewood that has a similar grain pattern to hickory. Do you think blondewood would make a good substitute? would it stain and finish to a similar color? Or am I just being cheap?

Answer
Hi James,

You're asking one of the perpetual woodworking questions - when is it "good enough" versus the right thing to do. I perfectly understand your dilemma, I've been there a time or two.

Yes, I am familiar with the stuff they call Blondewood. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what it's made of, but I suspect it's plywood made of a variety of Luann wood. It's new growth, which is why the wood is so blonde, similar to sapwood. Anyway- I think you would be fine saving a little bit of cash and use it for your "back, which is actually the side of your refrigerator. It's virtually never going to be seen, and I believe it's an appropriate alternative.

Let me suggest another material - a white melamine panel. You can purchase it in 1/4" and 3/4" thickness, and the substrate is usually MDF. People often confuse MDF with particle board, since they look similar. But MDF is stronger, less prone to "swelling" when it gets wet, and is dimensionally stable. Another reason I am suggesting this is because it's clean looking and easy to keep clean, should a spill occur down the side of your appliance.

The last reason I suggested it is because using the Blondewood would introduce a new material into your project. It's going to stain differently from the other wood, and the grain pattern will look somewhat different as well. A white melamine panel, to me, would be more neutral. It's just a thought, but either panel will probably be fine in your pantry project.

OK, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this. Good luck!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com