Hi all,
I am Clem, a contractor on the west coast. i have a client who wants me to build some cabinetry for their patio. I can use ipe or mahoganey or teak for cabinet faces. But i am looking for a suitable material for making the carcases. Would MDF work? Or something i have read alludes to it swelling when damp (Dampness can be an issue for a few months out of the year). Any suggestions as to a material to use?
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clem, dont use any particleboard or mdf for exterior cabinetry, period, no way
use a good grade plywood preferably exterior grade or even pressure treated
for best longetivity, make sure that any edges of the plywood are not sitting on a flat surface like a deck or patio(raise up with solid lumber)
Clem, you might check out MDO. It's an exterior plywood with ####paper face. A lot of higway signs are made out of it. It's some tough stuff. EliphIno!
Thanks for the reply - MDO - Whats that stand for? Medium Density -?
Clem...MDO stands for Medium Density Overlay....but as Bucksnort Billy pointed out, most lumberyards just refer to it as "sign-board." It costs around $65 per sheet.
IMHO, I would use solid wood. If Ipe, then make the whole thing out of Ipe. If mahogany (my choice) then make whole cabinet from mahogany. There are plenty of waterproof glues on the market...just rip your boards, square em up, glue and clamp them to make your panels...then build accordingly. Yes it will take more time and effort, but the results will be worth it.
LOL.
Davo