What is hardboard?
A very important part of cabinet building is squaring up. It’s difficult to KEEP a cabinet square if you don’t put a back on after you square up. When I build a cabinet that has hidden sides, I just staple the cabinet back directly ON the back.
This is what I do and it’s what I have my clients do. If I’m painting the cabinet, I use 1/4″ hardboard. Funny thing, almost every single client has come back with the same response to my cut list: “What the heck is hardboard?”
It’s the ugly brown masonite stuff that comes in 4’x8′ sheets in the lumber section. It looks like this. It comes in 1/8″ and 1/4″. I couldn’t get up on a ladder to take a picture of the 1/4″ stuff so use your imagination on the label.
That’s your helpful informative tidbit for the week. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Great idea!! I have 2 bookshelves that I’m putting together with a connecting top ( to make a craft center) should I use hardboard in place of the cardboard back that came with the shelves?
I had no idea that’s what it is called. Learning, learning, learning.
Easiest way I’ve used to describe hardboard, is it’s pretty much the same material that clipboards are made out of.
I have also found it in 3/8″ thickness at our Lowe’s. I have used it for drawer bottoms and homemade chalkboards as well!
Well, my honey did that just this week. I wanted plywood to match the cabinets, he said no. After we got them in, looked just fine! Excellent tip!