Question from Sami
We want to buy kitchen cabinets and are confuuuuused. We saw Kraftmaid cabinets.
The cheaper one we liked the most actually was Praline color but we were told it was not solid wood but plywood.
The more expensive is Solid Wood. I actually prefered the cheaper plywood.
Then one can get Lacquered solid wood cabinets.
Which type would you recommend?
Is it true that it is easier to maintain the lacquered wood than the solid wood?
hi, I have been trying to have my cabinets made of al wood but am finding it too expensive – there are some boards that say they are very low in formaldehyde emmissions level EO substrate (if you know what that means) that it is tested to US EPA’s ETV test method for measuring emissions of VOCs and aldehydes and complies to the total VOC limit specified by Green star of <0.5 mg/m3 within 7 days of unpacking. What do you think or can you suggest a board to use for the insides of the kitchen cabinets.
thanks
Jacinta
Debra’s Answer
This IS a confusing subject. I know, because I’ve just been looking for kitchen cabinets too.
There seem to be three kinds of cabinets.
The cheapest ones are made of particleboard. These you want to avoid as they outgass considerable amounts of formaldehyde. Be sure to ask what the cabinets are made from, don’t just look. Often they are veneered to look like wood.
Then there are cabinets made from plywood. These are less toxic and may be acceptable.
I just found some cabinets here locally that were being advertised as “solid wood”. In fact, they were plywood with solid wood doors.
There ARE actual solid wood cabinets. They are very expensive. See search results on Debra’s List for “cabinets”,
