Few things are as polarizing in the world of cabinetry as particleboard and plywood box construction.  The former is often unfairly dismissed as inferior before even getting proper consideration.  Modern particleboard is nothing like the old-fashioned “flakeboard” of yesteryear.

Particleboard is engineered wood.  The composite is created by mixing wood chips (“particles”) with a professional-grade adhesive; this is then pressed, producing a dense, strong, uniform material perfect for cabinet boxes.

Plywood is also a manufactured product.  In this case, it is created by gluing thin sheets of wood together in layers, resulting in a strong material much less likely to warp or crack than solid wood.  It is often used for cabinet boxes, but will be more expensive than particleboard.

Both materials are suited to numerous finishes and perform well in either the kitchen or bath.  What’s important to remember is that while particleboard might be more cost-effective than plywood, it is not a lesser product; don’t rule it out when designing your project.