Best PLY to use.

[SandyM]

Hi guys. Trying to decide the best 18mm PLY to use for building kitchen wall units.
Do I need a hardwood ply or will any softwood ply be OK.

 

[Wuffles]

Softwood ply sound like the kind of thing a builder would use to cover a hole in a garden so someone doesn't fall in it with a wheelbarrow full of muck, and cheap Chinese WBP ply may or may not de-laminate when you paint it, plus it can contain all sorts of interesting items..

Most people use birch ply for units.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Welcome. A kitchen fitter/builder will be along soon, but in the meantime I'd think 18mm unnecessary no matter what you use.- they'll probably suggest WRMDF if you're going to paint or MFC. Birch would be the best ply, it's harder, heavier, stronger and better made - it doesn't have the voids that others have. Better all round, as you can use a thinner board - I don't think you'd want the weight of 18mm in wall units. That'll start you thinking until someone way more expert than me comes along.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

An afterthought - have a search for some of Dr. Bob's kitchens, they are stunning.

 

[SandyM]

Hi phil.p

Std kitchen unit carcasses are 18/19mm so I just assumed anything less would not work.
Do you think 12mm will be strong enough?
Have you used 12mm for building units?

 

[Woody2Shoes]

Hi - how are you planning to finish/clad the units?

I've used reasonable quality (WISA) 18mm spruce ply for units which were then faced in hardwood - I sealed all surfaces of the ply with two coats of floor varnish - it worked just fine, but none of the ply is visible externally and finishing it to 'visible' standards would not have been a simple/quick activity (although quite possible, I think).

Cheers, W2S

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Hi phil.p

Std kitchen unit carcasses are 18/19mm so I just assumed anything less would not work.
Do you think 12mm will be strong enough?
Have you used 12mm for building units?

You're right, of course. I was thinking like 15mm rather than 12mm, 12mm would certainly be too thin. You need thickness to take the hinges as much as for the actual strength. I am sitting in my kitchen - why I didn't think to look at mine I don't know. (having said that I did say an expert would be along )

 

[ColeyS1]

As others have said already, 18 mm birch ply would defo be my choice if I were to build one from plywood. If it's going to be painted though.....

Coley

 

[vanitycat]

Hi guys. Trying to decide the best 18mm PLY to use for building kitchen wall units.
Do I need a hardwood ply or will any softwood ply be OK.

I think it depends on your budget really and the finish you are going for. Birch plywood can be quite expensive . You might be okay with the BB grade (about £65 a sheet). I used wbp plywood on a drinks cabinet (paid £28 a sheet) which I painted and came out well. You will need edge banding or need to face frame them.


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