I am currently completing a small poolhouse that has an inset for about 8 feet of cabinets. The cabinets are under cover (yet still outside) and will sit on a 6″ tall concrete pad (so no water will “run” under the cabinets). The cabinets should receive very little if any direct weather. The location is southern Indiana where it can be 95 and humid in the summer and well below freezing in the winter, so the cabinets will be subject to varrying degrees of moisture and temperature.
I thought about teak or ipe for the face frames, doors and drawerfronts; however, I am not sure what do make the carcase out of. I believe a plywood or some sort of exterior MDF would work best since they don’t “move” much with humidity swings; however, I don’t want the carcase to deteriorate or swell. I have seen some websites that sell complete cabinets made out of a solid marine grade polymer that might work, but I am not sure where to find this material to make my own cabinets (or how this stuff holds up).
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Replies
woodwannabe ,
There are several types of sheet goods that will serve the application you need . The one I would recommend is MDO , it is often called sign board as it typically is what is used for large roadside signs.
It will hold up under all the conditions needed . It is a real tight good core fir plywood with a tough grade of some kind of paper as the skin or overlay , some are 2 sided and some are only 1 sided .
good luck dusty
Another vote for sign board. I've used it for this & it works well.
Guys,
Thanks for the advice. Is MDO typically found at lumbar yards...or where?
You probably won't find it at any of the big boxes. Your local mom & pop lumber yard should have it or able to order from one of there suppliers.
You haven't filled out your profile and knowing your location might help some to better direct you to a source.
Edited 1/11/2008 4:32 pm by jagwah
Jagwah,
I'm pretty new to this...good idea on filling out the profile...I'll do that shortly. I live near Louisville, KY.
Find out where the cabinet shops get their plywood and other sheet goods, then contact the source.
Medium density overlay (MDO) is exactly what you want for this, and to get it, you will either have to special order it through a good lumberyard, or go directly to a sheet goods jobber. The wholesalers that stock this won't be listed in the yellow pages.
To all,
Great advice! This has helped a bunch.
God Bless,
David (Woodwannabe)
I agree on the MDO but I can buy that here at a few of the big box stores.
Doug
wood ,
If the local lumber yards can't supply the MDO try calling a sign painting business , maybe they will either give you the name of their source or sell some to you from their own stock .
There is also a product called Medex they use it on white water raft floors .
good luck dusty