How to Identify Top Quality Wood Cabinets

Wood cabinets of any kind are a big investment, and you should know what you’re getting for your money. The best ones, according to Kevin Mancino, owner of Olde World Mill & Cabinets, a Diamond Certified company, are made from domestic plywood rather than imported plywood. How can you tell them apart? Mr. Mancino says the domestic plywood has 7 layers, while imported plywood has 13 layers.

The problem with too many layers is that the wood can bow, twist and warp. Domestic plywood is more stable under all conditions. Some of the imported plywood does not meet air quality standards either due to formaldehyde glues used.  You can also run into problems when trying to paint or stain the low quality plywood.  When it comes to cabinet hardware, American-made Accuride or imported European products provide the best products on the market. Watch out for inexpensive knock-offs; they have a much higher failure rate.