Closet Materials and why did I choose them?
I’ve been asked this question about a thousand times so I thought a special post was in order!
Why did I build half the closet out of MDF and the other half out of Plywood?
First, MDF is my first choice of material for painted cabinets. It’s smooth and straight and doesn’t warp (unless you get it wet) and paints beautifully. But, IT IS STINKIN’ HEAVY! I had to lift and carry all the pieces of MDF and then after I built the cabinets, I had to lift the cabinet up to stand it on end. That was too much. So, after building the first half of my closet, my back MADE me make a change. 🙂
(The reason I didn’t switch after just a few cabinets is because I cut the pieces for ALL the cabinets on the first side at one time before I started building.)
The plywood I chose, I would not recommend and will never use for any nice cabinets again. Workshop, fine. House, no! It was cheap and smooth on one side so I got it but some of the sheets were warped which I didn’t realize until after I had them home and was cutting them so I just pushed forward but it was a pain!
It’s Sanded Plywood…which is Pine…which is soft. It’s got a smooth knot free veneer on one side and the other side is knotty and rough which didn’t matter in this situation as none of the outsides are visible in the end.
Plywood is MUCH lighter than MDF so it’s a good choice for LARGE cabinets. I usually choose a cabinet grade plywood like Birch which has a nice, hard, smooth veneer on both sides. Birch Plywood is about $45 per sheet so it’s esssspensive! Which is why I went with the Sanded Ply!
So that’s why I switched from MDF to Plywood halfway through the closet. And, if you didn’t see all my status update photos, you would be none the wiser!
I hand painted everything. I used poplar on the drawer fronts. If you created them like mine (according to the tutorial) any 1/4″ panel would do. If you are painting, masonite would work. My handle is in the poplar not the beadboard. If you had your handle in the middle of the drawer front you would have to support that panel.
OMG! You have no idea how helpful you are. I have been inspired by everything you do, and you make me think I can build anything. lol Anyways, I am also building my closets with MDF, but last night as we were putting the pieces together, a few of the screws kept cracking the MDF boards. Do you know you know what might be causing it to crack? The screws are ‘PRIMEGUARD EXTERIOR SCREWS 2″ PHILIPS HEAD.’ It would be wonderful to hear from you. =] Thanks!
What type of wood did you use for faceframes on the drawer fronts? I like the beadboard for the insert but if I wanted to use a wood insert what type of wood would you suggest? Did you hand paint the drawer fronts or spray them?
Love this site – so much inspiration!
I’m thinking of doing my own closet, I would like to use the better wood but would go with the plywood smooth on both sides. I have a closet that is 10 feet on both sides with 6 feet between both sides and the ceiling is 8 feet. I want to do it where it’s 7 feet tall and no crown molding at the top but around the top of the shelf as decoration. What would you recommend?
What about the lighting? What lights allow you to see how your cloths and colors will really look at the office and outside in the sunlight?