Dovetail drawers
5/8" solid wood boxes with dovetail joints on full-extension soft-close glides.
Construction
Plywood Cabinet Construction, Part by Part
Every ECG cabinet uses the same plywood cabinet construction: a 1/2" premium-grade plywood box, 3/4" plywood shelves, solid wood dovetail drawers and soft-close hardware, in all four Shaker finishes.
Specifications
Cabinet Construction Specifications
Every part of the box, from the ECG Spec Book.
| Part | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frame | Solid hardwood construction |
| Back panel, wall cabinet | 1/2" premium-grade plywood |
| Back panel, base cabinet | 1/2" premium-grade plywood |
| End panels | 1/2" premium-grade plywood |
| Shelves | 3/4" premium-grade plywood, adjustable |
| Interior finish | Natural birch veneer |
| Hinges | 6-way adjustable concealed, soft-close |
| Drawers | 5/8" solid wood, dovetail joinery |
| Glides | Concealed undermount, full-extension, integrated soft-close |
| Base frame | 3/4" kiln-dried hardwood, 1-1/2" wide, glued and nailed under clamp pressure |
| Door | Full overlay, 5-piece solid wood with engineered center panel |
| Toe kick | 4" toe kick; 1/2" x 4" x 96" toe kick strip (TK8) |
Up close
The Details Clients Notice
Three details that separate a plywood cabinet from builder-grade boxes.
Soft-close hinges
Concealed hinges that adjust in six directions to align doors on site.
Hardwood face frame
A solid hardwood frame behind a full overlay 5-piece solid wood door.
Plywood vs particleboard
Why a Plywood Box Matters on the Jobsite
Plywood is built from cross-laminated wood layers, which gives it strength and screw-holding power. That matters when cabinets are shipped, installed and loaded with dishes for years.
| Factor | Plywood (ECG) | Particleboard |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Cross-laminated wood veneers | Compressed wood particles and resin |
| Screw holding | Strong, holds after re-tightening | Weaker, can strip |
| Water exposure | More tolerant of a leak | Swells when wet |
FAQ
Cabinet Construction Questions
Are ECG cabinet boxes plywood or particleboard?
Plywood. Sides, backs and the box are 1/2" premium-grade plywood, and adjustable shelves are 3/4" plywood.
What kind of drawers do ECG cabinets have?
5/8" solid wood drawer boxes with dovetail joinery, on concealed undermount full-extension glides with integrated soft-close.
Are the doors solid wood?
Doors are 5-piece solid wood with an engineered center panel, on a solid hardwood frame 2.5" wide.
Is construction the same for RTA and assembled?
Yes. RTA and assembled cabinets use the same box, door, drawer and hardware.
Guides
Guides That Go Deeper
Practical answers from the ECG blog on this topic.
Cabinet Tips for Contractors and Remodelers
Builder Grade vs Contractor Grade Cabinets
Neither label is a standard. Compare box, drawers, hinges, glides and warranty instead of the grade name.
Read the guideCabinet Quality and Care Guides
Plywood vs Particleboard vs MDF Cabinets Compared
Plywood, particleboard and MDF each have a job. Where each one belongs in a cabinet and how to read the spec sheet.
Read the guideAll cabinet guides
Sizes, SKUs, ordering, delivery and care, for the trade.
Browse all cabinet guidesPlywood cabinet construction
Get a Plywood Cabinet Quote
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