Materials & Finishes
Plywood & Sheet Goods Guide
Updated 2 min read
The short answer
Not all plywood is cabinet-grade. What matters is the core (how many plies and whether there are voids), the face veneer grade, and the substrate under the veneer. Cheap plywood has thick plies with visible internal voids that show as gaps at a cut edge and weaken fixings. Asking one question — "how many plies?" — tells you most of what you need to know.
Core types
| Core | Strength | Flatness | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veneer core (multi-ply) | High | Good | Moderate | Cabinet carcasses, shelving |
| Baltic birch (many thin plies) | Very high | Very good | Heavy | Drawer boxes, exposed edges |
| MDF core | Moderate | Excellent | Heavy | Veneered doors and flat panels |
| Combination core | High | Very good | Moderate | Large panels needing both |
| Particleboard core | Low | Good | Heavy | Budget casework only |
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What to ask about a cabinet carcass
- How many plies in 18mm?
- More, thinner plies means fewer voids and better fixing. Baltic birch in 18mm has many; cheap import plywood may have five or six thick ones.
- Is it void-free?
- Internal gaps show as dark lines at a cut edge and mean a screw may land in nothing. This is the most common quality difference.
- What is the face veneer?
- For a painted interior it barely matters. For a clear-finished interior — increasingly popular — the face grade and species matter a great deal.
- How are edges finished?
- Exposed plywood edges are banded, face-framed or lipped with solid wood. An unfinished edge on a visible surface is a shortcut.
- Is it formaldehyde compliant?
- Reputable panel meets recognised emissions standards. Worth asking about, particularly for bedroom and nursery millwork.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
- What thickness should cabinet carcasses be?
- 18mm is the standard for quality residential cabinetry and it is what you should expect. Thinner material sags on shelf spans and holds fasteners poorly. Some commercial casework uses thicker panel for durability under heavy use.
- Is MDF-core plywood a contradiction?
- No — it means a real wood veneer face over an MDF core. It is an excellent choice for large flat panels and veneered doors, because the MDF core is dead flat and stable while the face gives you the wood you want. It is heavy and does not hold edge screws well, so it is not a carcass material.
- Does the plywood brand matter?
- The specification matters more than the brand. Void-free construction, ply count and face grade are what you are actually buying. A reputable cabinetmaker will tell you exactly what they use without hesitating, which is itself informative.
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