What is The Best Wood for Making Drawers?
Homeowners who are looking to remodel their kitchens are often puzzled and confused about the type of wood to select when it comes to constructing the drawers, specifically the drawer boxes. It is easy to select the cabinetry from the attractive hardwoods available on the market. But what about the drawer boxes? Should the interior sides, back, and bottom of the drawers be made from the same wood as the face of the drawers and the rest of the cabinet? After all, this will give the drawer sides a uniform look when they are opened, perfectly matching the face of the drawer. However, the advantages of building drawers this way may well be outweighed by the merits of using different wood. In this article, we will look at the factors to consider when selecting what type of wood to use in constructing drawer boxes.
Is Plywood Good For Making Drawers?
Drawer boxes, even handcrafted 9 times out of 10 will have a plywood bottom. This is due to the fact that plywood is easier to cut a single piece of plywood to fit a drawer box than to glue up a bunch of hardwood planks. Plywood is flat, strong, and stable in all directions. It retains its shape better than most solid wood and it expands and contracts much less than solid wood.
Plywood for most drawers is 1/4 inch thick but can be 1/2 inch thick on large drawers. You can find these materials in many different types of hardwood so that one or both of the outer veneers can match your drawer boxes and/or fronts. However, not all wood species are available in veneer plywood. If you can’t find plywood that matches or complements your drawer box material, you can consider using a wood stain and or varnish to attain the required finish.
How Much Will Cabinets Drawers Cost?
Cost depends on several factors including but not limited to the size of the kitchen, type of wood, and how many drawers needed. Hardwoods like mahogany, cherry, or fine maple are can be on the pricy side. On a big project like a full-wall entertainment center, the added cost of building solid-cherry drawers could add up to hundreds of extra dollars. Using a less expensive, but equally suitable, wood won’t affect the look of the finished piece and it also won’t affect the structural integrity of the piece.
Can I Mix and Match Different Types of Wood?
There’s nothing wrong with using a contrasting wood for the drawer sides. In fact, this can be a stylistic advantage. For example, combining a dark hardwood front with a lighter-colored wood like poplar for the drawer box can really highlight the joinery and workmanship. Contrasting wood colors look particularly good with joints like half-blind dovetails.
Is Poplar Good For Making Drawers
Poplar is a great all-around choice for drawer box construction. It is stable, durable, and much less expensive than most hardwoods. The color of poplar heartwood ranges from a creamy white to a yellowish tan or brown. It is very easy to work with and has straight, uniform grain. The overall look of popular blends well with birch plywood, which is an excellent choice for the drawer bottoms.
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When you want the absolute best drawers in all of Palm Beach County, you can best believe that The Drawer Dude is the go-to choice. The Drawer Dude has provided his quality work to many residents of South Florida, and through each job he’s taken on, he’s only ever guaranteed complete satisfaction. We feel more than confident that when you hire The Drawer Dude, you’ll be able to enjoy the inclusion of your new drawers as you’re added to his growing list of satisfied customers. For any inquiries, you may call us at 561.313.7275 or visit our contact us today
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