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The basic structural component of cabinetry is some form of sheet goods; most frequently plywood. Other commonly used sheet goods are particleboard, fiberboard, melamine panels and hardboard. These materials come in handy when you need to cover a broad project area without including seams. Sheet goods are dimensionally stable (there is no substantive wood grain to contend with) and relatively inexpensive, when compared to the price of solid lumber. You’ll turn to them time and time again for different woodworking applications. Here is an overview of the options you’ll find at most home centers and lumberyards:

Plywood. Plywood is fashioned from sheets of wood veneer, primarily pine and fir. By orienting the wood grain of each laminated sheet so adjacent sheets are perpendicular, the product is able to withstand greater stress than construction lumber of the same thickness. In addition, it is more dimensionally stable.

Most lumberyards stock furniture-grade plywood in several thicknesses and face veneer options (pine, red oak, birch and maple are the most common face veneers). Lumberyards can order plywood with dozens of additional veneer options.

Choosing the right plywood for your woodworking project is an important task. In addition to the various core, thickness and face veneer options, you’ll also need to make a decision on the plywood grade. Basically, there are two grading systems in use today. The one most people are familiar with is administered by the APA (Engineered Wood Association, formerly the American Plywood Association). The APA grade stamps (See Illustration, next page) are found on sanded plywood, sheathing and structural (called performance-rated) panels. Along with grading each face of the plywood by letter (A to D) or purpose, the APA performance-rated stamp lists other information such as exposure rating, maximum allowable span, type of wood used to make the plies and the identification number of the mill where the panel was manufactured. Many hardwood-veneer sanded plywood panels are graded by the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA). The HPVA grading numbers are similar to those employed by APA: they refer to a face grade (from A to E) and a back grade (from 1 to 4). Thus, a sheet of plywood that has a premium face (A) and a so-so back (3) would be referred to as A-3 by HPVA (and AC by APA).

NOTICE

Particleboard and MDF usually contain urea formaldehyde resins that continue to emit low levels of formaldehyde gas for at least six months as they cure. People with high sensitivity to chemical vapors should limit the number of composite panels added to a room at one time. Always wear a particle mask or respirator as required and provide adequate dust collection and ventilation when cutting or shaping these products.

Particleboard: Particleboard possesses several unique qualities that might make it a good choice for your next built-in project— particularly if the project includes a counter or tabletop. Particleboard is very dimensionally stable (it isn’t likely to expand, contract or warp); it has a relatively smooth surface that provides a suitable substrate for laminate; it comes in a very wide range of thicknesses and panel dimensions; and it is inexpensive. But particleboard does have some drawbacks: it lacks stiffness and shear strength; it has poor screw-holding ability; it degrades when exposed to moisture; it’s too coarse in the core to be shaped effectively; and it’s heavy.

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): MDF is similar to particleboard in constitution, but is denser and heavier. The smoothness and density of MDF make it a good substrate choice for veneered projects; the rougher surface of particleboard and most plywoods do not bond as cleanly with thin wood veneer. You can even laminate layers of MDF to create structural components that can be veneered or painted. MDF is also increasing in popularity as a trim molding material.

Melamine board: Melamine is fashioned with a particleboard core with one or two plastic laminate faces. Thicknesses range from ¼ to ¾ in. Stock colors at most lumber yards and building centers generally are limited to white, gray, almond and sometimes black. The panels are oversized by 1 in. (a 4 x 8 sheet is actually 49 x 97 in.) because the brittle melamine has a tendency to chip at the edges during transport. Plan to trim fresh edges.

Every sheet of plywood is stamped with grading information. On lower-grade panels, such as exterior sheathing, the stamp can be found in multiple locations on both faces. Panels with one better-grade face are stamped only on the back, and panels with two better-grade faces are stamped on the edges.

Face grade descriptions

N	Smooth surface “natural finish” veneer. Select, all heartwood or all sapwood. Free of open defects. Allows not more than six repairs, wood only, per 4 x 8 panel, made parallel to grain and well-matched for grain and color.
A	Smooth, paintable. Not more than 18 neatly made repairs, boat, sled or router type, and parallel to grain, permitted. May be used for natural finish in less demanding applications. Synthetic repairs permitted.
B	Solid surface. Shims, circular repair plugs and tight knots to 1 in. across grain permitted. Some minor splits permitted. Synthetic repairs permitted.
C plugged	Improved C veneer with splits limited to ⅛-in. width and knotholes and borer holes limited to ¼ x ½ in. Admits some broken grain. Synthetic repairs permitted.
C	Tight knots to 1½ in. Knotholes to 1 in. across grain and some 1½ in. if total width of knots and knotholes is within specified limits. Synthetic or wood repairs. Discoloration and sanding defects that do not impair strength permitted. Limited splits allowed. Stitching permitted.
D	Knots and knotholes to 2½ in. across grain and ½ in. larger within specified limits. Limited splits are permitted. Stitching permitted. Limited to Interior and Exposure 1 or 2 panels.

Source: Engineered Wood Association

Plywood veneer grain patterns

Rotary cut

Sliced (plain-sawn)

Sliced (quarter-sawn)

COMMON HARDWOODS

A. RED OAK

Uses: Indoor furniture, trim, flooring, plywood and veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, wide grain pattern with larger pores. Tan to reddish pink in color. Quartersawing reveals narrow medullary rays.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Not prone to burning when machined. Drill pilot holes first for nails or screws.

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well, but pores will show through if painted unless they are filled

Price: Moderate

B. WHITE OAK

Uses: Indoor and outdoor furniture, trim, flooring, plywood and veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, wide grain pattern, tan with yellow to cream tints. Quartersawing reveals wide medullary rays. Naturally resistant to deterioration from UV sunlight, insects and moisture.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Not prone to burning when machined. Drill pilot holes first for nails or screws.

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes like red oak, but narrower pores reduce the need for filling

Price: Moderate to expensive

C. HARD MAPLE

Uses: Indoor furniture, trim, flooring, butcher block countertops, instruments, plywoods and veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, wide grain with occasional bird’s eye or fiddleback figure. Blonde heartwood.

Workability: Difficult to machine without carbide blades and bits. Dull blades will leave burns.

Finishing: Takes clear finishes well, but staining may produce blotches

Price: Moderate to expensive, depending on figure

D. CHERRY

Uses: Indoor furniture, cabinetry, carving, turning, plywood and veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Fine grain pattern with smooth texture. Wood continues to darken as it ages and is exposed to sunlight.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades but is more prone to machine burns

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Moderate

E. WALNUT

Uses: Indoor furniture, cabinets, musical instruments, clocks, boat-building, carving

Sources: Eastern United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, fine grain. Moderately heavy. Color ranges from dark brown to purple or black.

Workability: Cuts and drills easily with sharp tools without burning

Finishing: Takes natural finishes beautifully

Price: Moderate

F. BIRCH

Uses: Kitchen utensils, toys, dowels, trim, plywood and veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight grain with fine texture and tight pores. Medium to hard density.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Good bending properties. Drill pilot holes first for nails or screws.

Finishing: Takes finishes well, but penetrating wood stains may produce blotching

Price: Inexpensive to moderate

G. HICKORY

Uses: Sporting equipment, handles for striking tools, furniture, plywood and veneers

Sources: Southeastern United States

Characteristics: Straight to wavy grained with coarse texture. Excellent shock-resistance.

Workability: Bends well, but lumber hardness will dull steel blades and bits quickly. Resists machine burning.

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Inexpensive where regionally available

H. ASPEN

Uses: A secondary wood used for drawer boxes, cleats, runners and other hidden structural furniture components. Crafts.

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Indistinguishable, tight grain pattern

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Takes routed profiles well.

Finishing: Better suited for painting than staining. Tight grain provides smooth, paintable surface.

Price: Inexpensive

I. WHITE ASH

Uses: Furniture, boat oars, baseball bats, handles for striking tools, pool cues, veneers

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, wide grain pattern with coarse texture. Hard and dense with excellent shock-resistance.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Drill pilot holes first for nails or screws. “Green” ash often used for steam bending.

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Inexpensive

J. POPLAR

Uses: Secondary wood for furniture and cabinetry, similar to aspen. Carving, veneers and pulp for paper.

Sources: United States

Characteristics: Fine-textured with straight, wide grain pattern. Tan to gray or green in color.

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Not prone to burning when machined. Drill pilot holes first for nails or screws.

Finishing: Better suited for painting than staining. Tight grain provides smooth, paintable surface.

Price: Inexpensive

COMMON SOFTWOODS

A. WHITE PINE

Uses: Indoor furniture, plywood, veneers and trim, construction lumber

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight grain with even texture and tight pores

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits. Not prone to burning when machined. Lower resin content than other pines, so cutting edges stay cleaner longer.

Finishing: Stains may blotch without using a stain controller first. Takes clear finishes and paints well.

Price: Inexpensive

B. WESTERN RED CEDAR

Uses: Outdoor furniture, exterior millwork, interior and exterior siding

Sources: United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight, variable grain pattern with coarse texture. Lower density and fairly light-weight. Saw-and sanding dust can be a respiratory irritant. Naturally resistant to deterioration from UV sunlight, insects and moisture.

Workability: Soft composition machines easily but end grain is prone to splintering and tear-out

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well, but oils in wood can bleed through painted finishes unless primer is applied first

Price: Inexpensive to moderate where regionally available

C. AROMATIC CEDAR (TENNESSEE)

Uses: Naturally-occurring oils seem to repel moths, making this wood a common closet and chest lining. Also used for veneers and outdoor furniture.

Sources: Eastern United States and Canada

Characteristics: Straight to wavy grain pattern with fine texture. Red to tan in color with dramatic streaks of yellows and creams. Distinct aroma emitted when machined, and dust can be a respiratory irritant.

Workability: Machines similarly to western red cedar

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Inexpensive

D. REDWOOD

Uses: Outdoor furniture, decks and fences, siding

Source: West coast of United States

Characteristics: Straight, fine grain with few knots or blemishes. Relatively light weight. Reddish brown with cream-colored sapwood. Naturally resistant to deterioration from UV sunlight, insects and moisture.

Workability: Machines and sands easily

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Moderate to expensive and not widely available in all nominal dimensions

E. CYPRESS

Uses: Exterior siding and boat building. Interior and exterior trim, beams, flooring, cabinetry and paneling.

Source: Mississippi delta region of the United States

Characteristics: Straight, even grain pattern with low resin content. Naturally resistant to deterioration from UV sunlight, insects and moisture.

Workability: Machines and sands easily

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Inexpensive where regionally available

SAMPLING OF EXOTICS

A. PADAUK

Uses: Indoor furniture, cabinetry, flooring, turning, veneer

Source: West Africa

Characteristics: Coarse texture, straight interlocked grain

Workability: Machines easily with sharp steel or carbide blades and bits

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Moderate to expensive

B. ZEBRAWOOD

Uses: Turning, inlay, decorative veneers, furniture and cabinetry

Source: West Africa

Characteristics: Interlocked, light and dark varigated grain pattern

Workability: Somewhat difficult to machine. Use carbide blades and bits

Finishing: Can be difficult to stain evenly

Price: Expensive

C. WENGE

Uses: Inlay, turning, decorative veneers

Source: Equatorial Africa

Characteristics: Hard, dense straight grain with coarse texture. Heavy.

Workability: Dulls steel blades and bits quickly, so carbide cutters are recommended. Drill pilot holes for screws and nails.

Finishing: Pores should be filled before finish is applied

Price: Moderate

D. HONDURAS MAHOGANY

Uses: Indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers and trim, boat-building

Sources: Central and South America

Characteristics: Straight, interlocked fine grain. Dimensionally stable.

Workability: Machines well with carbide blades and bits

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Moderate

E. PURPLEHEART

Uses: Pool cues, decorative inlay, veneers, indoor and outdoor furniture.

Sources: Central and South America

Characteristics: Straight grain with coarse texture

Workability: Gum deposits in the wood make it difficult to machine; cutting edges dull quickly

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well.

Price: Moderate

F. TEAK

Uses: Boat-building, indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers, flooring

Sources: Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean

Characteristics: Straight grain with oily texture. Dense and hard.

Workability: High silica content will dull steel blades and bits quickly. Oily surfaces require cleaning with mineral spirits first or glue will not bond.

Finishing: Takes oil finishes well

Price: Expensive

G. ROSEWOOD

Uses: Inlays, turning, veneers, cabinetry, furniture, musical instruments

Sources: Southern India

Characteristics: Interlocked grain with medium to coarse texture

Workability: Dense structure dulls cutting edges quickly

Finishing: Takes stains and clear finishes well

Price: Expensive