What Type of Wood Is Used for Garage Cabinets?

January 31, 2023

Want to add permanent storage to your garage? Putting in cabinets is a great way to make space for your tools without losing out on your covered parking spot.

But what type of wood is used for garage cabinets? It all depends. In general, engineered wood is the best choice for garage construction because it’s less susceptible to changes in temperature and humidity. Most garages aren’t insulted, creating an environment that can damage hardwood.

Some of the most commonly chosen materials for construction in areas without insulation or heating and cooling include:

Let’s review the pros and cons of each material.

Ready to add storage to your garage? Call Cabinet Coatings today! Our quality craftsmanship and expert advice mean you have a durable and long-lasting storage solution. Contact us online or call (480) 641-9611 for a same-day, no-obligation quote so you can get started quickly.

Medium-Density Fiberboard

Medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, is an engineered wood product that uses the byproducts leftover from felling trees to create an additional building material. Sawdust, dried wood shavings, and glue all come together under heat and pressure to create smooth, flat boards that don’t have any distinctive grain patterns. This material also has none of the knots that can create problems in hard and softwood planks. MDF sheets are readily available in sizes ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 inches thick and are available in pre-cut pieces or pre-painted. Some boards may come already treated with fire-retardant or moisture-repelling products.

Pros

Inexpensive
Hard and dense
Accepts paint well
Easy to glue
Veneered MDF can create the look of more expensive hardwood
Expands and contracts less than solid wood
Resists pests

Cons

Heavy and can be hard to maneuver with just one person
Easily scratched and is difficult to restore
Vulnerable to water damage
Can’t use water-based products for the initial paint
Unsupported shelves may sag
Can split easily when drilled

Ultimately, MDF is a great option for your garage cabinets, but you’ll likely want to let professionals install them. Working with MDF can be challenging and requires a well-ventilated area to avoid the dust and fumes given off during construction.

Exterior-grade birch plywood

Created using thin sheets of natural birch that are then laminated using resins and adhesives, birch plywood is a strong and durable building material. Each layer of the material is attached at a right angle, so the layers of grain are clearly visible when cutting a sheet. The cross-graining process makes every sheet incredibly strong. It comes in sheets ranging from 6mm to 32mm thick.

Pros

Very strong and durable compared to MDF
Not particularly susceptible to water damage
Easy to polish or paint
Holds screws
Can be cut into custom shapes and sizes
Resists shrinking, warping, and cracking
Economical compared to solid wood

Cons

More expensive than MDF
Edges need finishing to cover exposed grain
May splinter during transportation
Often requires professional assistance during cutting
Can emit toxic Volatile Organic Compounds that irritate the eyes
More expensive than particle board and other engineered wood materials
May be prone to termite damage

Melamine

Melamine is a synthetic wood product that combines wood particles, glue, resins and paper to create strong, durable sheets of material. Heat and pressure combine to create the finished sheets, with the surface a resin and paper composite that allows for many color and finish options.

Pros

Highly durable
Easy to clean
Heat and moisture resistant
A virtually endless number of finishes and color options
Substantially more cost-effective than solid wood

Cons

It’s prone to chipping
Difficult to install
May splinter when using nails or screws
Highly susceptible to water damage

Plain MDF

Plain or unfinished MDF is made like all medium-density fiberboard, combining wood shavings and sawdust with glue and resins to create processed sheets. When unfinished, you will need to sand the surface and create a custom surface to protect the construction. In general, it has the same pros and cons as standard MDF, with a few exceptions.

Pros

Inexpensive
Hard and dense
Accepts paint well
Easy to glue
Resists pests

Cons

Heavy and can be hard to maneuver with just one person
Requires finishing
Highly vulnerable to water and moisture damage when unfinished
Can’t use water-based products for the initial paint
Unsupported shelves may sag
Can split easily when drilled

Particle board

Particle board is a wood-based material that uses compressed wood chips and glue to form planks. During processing, the surface is given a denser coating of wood chips, making it stronger than the center of each plank, which helps keep it lightweight and maneuverable. Particle board is one of the most affordable options for creating cabinets in your garage.

Pros

It’s smoother than plywood
Eco-friendly and a way to minimize waste material
Comparatively lightweight and easy to install
An affordable option

Cons

Not as strong as plywood
Soft and brittle, it may not take screws
May swell in humid environments
Not a great choice for heavy-duty storage

All engineered wood options are more economical than solid wood, though the two standouts are MDF and particle board. For more information about your options and what to choose, consult with the professional cabinet installers at Cabinet Coatings.

Ready to upgrade your garage with new cabinets? Contact Cabinet Coatings today for a no-obligation quote!

Call (480) 641-9611 today to schedule a same-day consultation in your home or virtually. Our cabinet experts always give you honest and upfront prices along with outstanding service.

Request Estimate

Chuck Derouen

For 20 plus years chuck has been helping homeowners make decisions on how to bring new life into their kitchens. Most homeowners know what they want but don’t know how to communicate it. When chuck does the in-home consultation he draws from the client and uses his expertise to help them bring their imagination to life (achieve the look they imagine.) Chuck dubs himself a “professional mind maker upper.”

Call (480) 641-9611

Cabinet Coatings
East Valley (480) 641-9611
West Valley (623) 939-3553