I would like to ask what are the pros and cons of using half-inch versus three-quarter inch plywood for kitchen cabinet cases? Mostly I’ve seen the 3/4 used for the sides, tops, and bottoms; with 1/4 for the back. This arrangement seems to be more than adequate for strong cabinets.
A carpenter friend uses only 1/2 for the sides, bottom, top, and the back; no 3/4 anywhere. The sides are set in dadoes on the face frame and toenailed from behind, and the tops, bottoms, and backs are screwed into dadoes in the sides. He claims the dadoes, in combination with glue and fasteners are more than strong enough to make a solid case. An advantage to using only 1/2 is that you only have to buy one thickness, and you’re handling lighter materials. Lighter, during the building process and when lifting and installing the finished cabinets.
Using 1/2 for everything seems like an efficient way of building. Is there a downside to this compared to using 3/4?
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Replies
When it comes to hardware (drawer slides and hinges) 1/2" doesn't give you much to anchor to support large doors or drawers. However if it's a choice between particle board and 1/2" ply, the ply would be marginally better.
For sure cabinet carcasses don't need to be 3/4" sides for rigid strength but it gives better support for fasteners and glue so it makes it easier to build a better case. I'm an old carp for sure and always use 3/4" sides with 1/4" backs and 3/4" hanger strips. I buy 3/4" prefinished for at most $10 more a sheet than 1/2". I also build cabinets with wider boxes, designed for the space rather than those tiny little 2-3' wide boxes. I prefer to hang longer units over the short pieces too, it's faster and looks more intentionally designed. My opinion is a custom maker should not get too carried away trying to replicate the modular factory made concept. It's like throwing away your advantage which is custom building for the space. That's the short answer as I see it... your mileage may vary.
Two other interrelated issues—homeowners love to overload their shelves, and small children love to climb and hang on drawers, doors, and shelves.
For day to day use by a quiet couple with no kids 1/2 inch would be fine. But what happens when a family with six rowdy kids move in. The number of use cycles goes up and the loads increase so to me It gets to a level of unpredictability.
I use 5/8 for case. Top, bottom, shelves. And I use 1/2" for back. The 1/2" back can secure the cabinet directly to the wall without installing a hanger strip.
We use 3/4 for EVERYTHING and always have. Heavier to handle but, we like it.
We leave zero trim on back either. If walls are crooked or bowed we take care of that with rails shimmed off of wall that finished end panels hide.
I use 1/2 baltic birch - light and very stable. I use that or 3/8 for the backs, but I also add a top ledger of 1/2 material.