Im thinking on building new cabinet doors and drawer fronts for the kitchen. Nothing fancy and these will be painted. Would 1/2in MDF be an option for these until I can replace the whole kitchen.
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Are you talking just a plain panel door? If so, 1/2" seems too thin. I would use 3/4". You can rabbet the edges to recess slightly into your faceframe so it doesn't appear too thick, hinges for this type of door are readily available and cheap, though probably not adjustable. Sand the edges carefully and seal before finishing or the edges will suck up the finish forever.
If you were talking frame and panel doors though, the 1/2" would be fine for the panels, then some kind of solid lumber for the frames.
I think you mentioned paint, but myself I actually like the look of the MDF with a clear finish. Did some stair treads once where we used several coats of sanding sealer to build thickness, then one coat of satin poly for sheen, came out this warm brown color.
1/2 full size MDF door panel with a 1/4 MDF rails nailed onto the 1/2" turns into a very attractive shaker (timeless) door. with Euro hinges it ends up looking great. (hinges into edge grain of mdf are garbosa) good luck
Im sorry but hinges into endgrain are garbage. What do you mean?. I have euro hinges on old doors and was planning on using them. Is this not an option? Thanks for any replies
MDF splits easily if you screw or nail into the endgrain (or edge) you will want hinges that mount through the face of the panel (most do)
The European hinges, mounted with a cup that fits into the door, are what you want. They don't mount into the end-grain. You're fine.
You're fine.
Not around my wife. I cringe every time I see her in the kitchen and have to bite my tongue to keep from saying something nasty. She uses the lower doors to help push herself up after getting things out. No she doesn't have a muscular problem, it's just easier to grab the top of the door than reach up to the countertop. I keep expect the hinge to snap off and send her crashing to the floor. I used to say somethng, but she bit back and said something about " a better kitchen" so I just let t go."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I ordered MDF doors from decore last year for a lae built in I did. They seem to be working just fine so far.