Plywood vs. Particle Board: Why Solid Wood Matters for Georgia Homes
If you live in Georgia, you know one thing is certain: The Humidity.
While we are used to the humid summers in Atlanta, your kitchen cabinets might not be. One of the most common complaints we hear from homeowners in Norcross and Marietta is: "My cabinets are peeling and swelling at the bottom."
The culprit? Particle Board.
At CNT Cabinetry, we refuse to sell particle board. In this post, we explain why All-Plywood Construction is the only safe investment for your home.
1. What is Plywood and Why is it Better?
When you shop at big box stores, the "stock" cabinets are made of particle board—essentially wood chips glued together with resin. It’s cheap to make, but weak structurally.
Plywood, on the other hand, is an engineered wood made from thin sheets of wood veneer (layers). These layers are glued together with adjacent plies having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another.
Why Plywood Wins in Georgia:
- Moisture Resistance: Plywood does not soak up water like a sponge. It withstands kitchen spills and Atlanta's humidity.
- Screw Holding Power: Have you ever had a cabinet door hinge come loose? With particle board, the screw strips the hole. With plywood, the screw bites into solid wood, staying tight for decades.
- Weight Bearing: Plywood shelves can hold heavy plates and appliances without sagging (bowing) in the middle.
2. The CNT Standard: No "Upgrades" Needed
Many retailers will advertise a low price, but then charge you an extra 20% to "upgrade" to plywood boxes. At CNT Cabinetry, quality is standard.
| Feature | CNT Standard | Big Box Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Box | Furniture Grade Plywood | Particle Board |
| Face Frame | Solid Birch Wood | MDF / Veneer |
| Drawer Box | Solid Wood Dovetail | Stapled Particle Board |
| Shelves | 3/4" Plywood | 5/8" Particle Board |
Premium Hardware Included
It's not just the wood. Every cabinet we stock in our Norcross Warehouse comes with:
- Soft-Close Hinges: No more slamming doors.
- Undermount Glides: Smooth, full-extension drawer runners.
- UV Coated Interiors: A smooth, scratch-resistant finish inside the cabinet (not raw wood).
3. Don't Trust Pictures—Trust Your Touch
On the internet, a $100 cabinet and a $500 cabinet can look exactly the same. But photos can't show you the weight, the texture, or the sound a cabinet makes when you knock on it.
We invite you to take the "Knock Test."
Visit our showroom. Open the drawers. Knock on the side panels. Feel the solid wood frames of our Shaker White collection. You will immediately feel the difference between "builder grade" junk and "furniture grade" quality.
Don't let humidity ruin your renovation. Build it right the first time.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM & FEEL THE QUALITY