plywood vs hardwood walk-in closet

[redknife]

We're at the phase of our master suite re-do where we're adding a new walk-in closet, about 9x13 ft. We'll install closet organizers/cabinets in a few weeks once the walls, rough, floors, and trim are complete. We haven't gotten in to the design of the walki-in, but the chief design officer in the house will have the dominant say. She generally tends to be more minimalist and less adorned in her choices.

As to materials, I am looking for insight in to the construction decision of hardwood plywood vs hardwood. We'll use some form of domestic wood, likely hard maple or cherry for either the plywood or hardwood. We'd like it to be nice as we've invested a fair amount of time and $ overall, but it doesn't need to be over the top (very subjective of course). I understand that a cabinet maker would be easiest choice for this size job, but we've been pretty good at picking and choosing our battles. This will be one I do.

How should I look at this material decision of plywood vs hardwood construction? What factors are implicated? Opinions?

 

[Skymaster]

Plywood, plywood, plywood those are the three choices I wood go with. Hardwood trim. Solid wood will cost way way more, have movement issues, many many more hrs of labor trying to make wide material from smaller stock. Every built -in, closet I have built over many many years,in hundreds and hundreds of homes, veneered Ply is the way I go. Any questions you have you can PM and I will try to help.

 

[merrill77]

I've never taken on a project like this, so I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.

But if I were to start today, I'd go with plywood with wood edging: less expensive, quicker to build, no movement issues.

 

[cpw]

Plywood, plywood, plywood those are the three choices I wood go with. Hardwood trim. Solid wood will cost way way more, have movement issues, many many more hrs of labor trying to make wide material from smaller stock. Every built -in, closet I have built over many many years,in hundreds and hundreds of homes, veneered Ply is the way I go. Any questions you have you can PM and I will try to help.

+1
I use ply wherever I can and reserve hardwood for edging, trim, and details that plywood is just not suited to do.

 

[Raymond]

I would normally say plywood but during our last master suite re-do: SWMBO wanted a cedar-lined walk-in. As you can already guess, she got what she wanted.

 

[redknife]

Great, that helps a lot. Will go with plywood casing.

 

[farmerbw]

Maybe pre-finished ply to save yourself some steps. :eusa_thin

B

 

[gritz]

Plywood, plywood, plywood those are the three choices I wood go with. Hardwood trim. Solid wood will cost way way more, have movement issues, many many more hrs of labor trying to make wide material from smaller stock. Every built -in, closet I have built over many many years,in hundreds and hundreds of homes, veneered Ply is the way I go. Any questions you have you can PM and I will try to help.

What he said...it's what we did. We only splurged on some nice designer rods. Looks great!

 

[red]

As stated, I would go with plywood cases and hardwood fronts and trim. One suggestion, go with maple or birch not cherry. Maple or birch will be brighter and it shows less dust. Yes, this will keep the boss happier too!! Good luck.

Red

 

[Skymaster]

Maybe pre-finished ply to save yourself some steps. :eusa_thin

B

I use Pre fin maple exclusively, even if I have to stain,I use single side pre fin so entire interior is super easy to clean and does NOT have to be finished. Saves tons of labor

 

[JimD]

I agree that plywood is easier to work with if you are building a cabinet or a lot of shoe shelves or something. We have a fair sized walk-in (wife doesn't like it, likely to change to more of a hall closet configuration so the bathroom can be super-sized) that has nearly all hanging space with a few shelves. The rods are hung off solid wood pieces screwed to studs. Plywood would work but you'd have to cover the edge. I would argue solid wood is easier. I used about a 1x4 sized piece. Shelves are softwood and it might be worth covering the edge for shelves but they will sag more in plywood. So depending on how much weight they will carry it could make sense to use solid wood there too.

So for me, it kind of depends. I would probably not make a dresser equivalent out of solid wood for a closet but some closet designs don't involve large amounts of wood. And plywood is OK but not great in terms of deflection. So for long shelves solid wood could be indicated.

 

[Steve_Honeycutt]

Chris,

You might want to call Scrounger's Paradise in Asheville to see if you can get the plywood cheaper. In the past, they have had both prefinished and unfinished at very good prices. I have not connection to them.

Steve H.

 

[redknife]

I'm liking the prefinished maple idea. Shouldn't be hard to match the face frames. I think the light color will look good in our setting as well. Hadn't thought about the dust visibility deal. Steve- I have been looking for an excuse to go to Scrounger's paradise. I know the Hardwood Store has the prefinished maple which is my usual closest wood source, but it might be fun to visit Scrounger's.