Materials Guide
Plywood Grades, Explained Without the Jargon
The substrate decides how long the joinery lasts. The finish only decides how it looks.
In this article
BWR versus BWP
BWR is boiling-water resistant and suits bedrooms and living areas. BWP is boiling-water proof, uses a phenolic resin, and is what belongs in kitchens, bathrooms and anything on an external wall.
Thickness matters more than brand claims
18mm for carcasses and shutters, 12mm for back panels, 6mm only for drawer bottoms. Under-specifying thickness is the most common hidden cost saving.
Check the core, not the face
Look at a cut edge: gaps, overlaps and soft filler in the core are what cause screws to strip and panels to sag. A clean, void-free edge is the actual quality signal.
MDF has a place, and it is not the kitchen carcass
MDF machines beautifully for moulded and routed shutters and takes paint better than ply. It also swells irreversibly when it gets wet.
Edge banding is the seal
All four edges, 2mm PVC, machine-applied. Hand-applied 0.8mm banding on the visible edges only is where moisture gets into an otherwise good carcass.
Next step
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